What principle does the engine operate on?
3 Answers
Engine working principle is: 1. Four-stroke gasoline engine: The working cycle of a four-stroke gasoline engine consists of four piston strokes, namely the intake stroke, compression stroke, power stroke, and exhaust stroke. 2. Four-stroke diesel engine: The working principle of a four-stroke diesel engine is the same as that of a four-stroke gasoline engine, also consisting of intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes. The difference is that the diesel engine's intake stroke draws in pure air, and near the top dead center of the compression stroke, the fuel injector sprays diesel into the combustion chamber. 3. Two-stroke engine: The engine cylinder block has three holes, namely the intake hole, exhaust hole, and scavenging hole, which are closed by the piston at specific times.
I usually enjoy tinkering with machinery, and the principles of engines are actually quite fascinating. Essentially, it generates thermal energy by burning fuel and then converts it into mechanical energy to power the vehicle. Take a gasoline engine, for example: the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder is ignited by the spark plug, causing an explosion that drives the piston up and down. The crankshaft then converts this linear motion into rotational motion to turn the wheels. The entire process follows the laws of thermodynamics, particularly the principles of energy conversion and thermal efficiency. To improve efficiency, modern engines incorporate technologies like turbocharging and direct injection, ensuring more complete fuel combustion. Though the principle may seem simple, the engine's internal valve control, cooling system, and lubrication system must work in perfect harmony for smooth operation.
Having driven for many years myself, I feel the engine is like the heart of a car. Its working principle is quite ingenious—it involves burning fuel inside a sealed cylinder to generate high-pressure gas that pushes the piston, which in turn rotates the crankshaft. This energy conversion method originates from the 19th-century Otto cycle and Diesel cycle principles, with one suited for gasoline and the other for diesel. Every time the car starts, the engine must complete a cycle of four strokes: intake, compression, power, and exhaust. To make this cycle more efficient, engineers have designed technologies like multi-cylinder arrangements and variable valve timing. Interestingly, the higher the engine speed, the more cycles occur per unit of time, resulting in stronger power output.
