PV and TS diagram explanation of Otto Cycle

PV and TS diagram explanation of Otto (Cycle Cont’d…)

Actual Valve Timing Diagram Theoretical/Ideal Valve Timing Diagram

TDC

TDC = Top Dead Centre

BDC = Bottom Dead Centre
EVC = Exhaust Valve Closed
EVO = Exhaust Valve Opened
IVC = Intake Valve Closed
IVO = Intake Valve Opened
IGA = Ignition Advanced
 Suction Stroke
From the diagram, we can see that Intake Valve Opened before the piston reaches to TDC. But Why?
- For the inertia effect on the intake valve, it requires little more time to be fully opened. So, to make the
valve fully opened during intake, the intake valve opening is advanced before reaching to TDC.

From the diagram, we can see that Intake Valve is closed lately after reaching to BDC. But Why?
- To input sufficient amount of charge to the cylinder, the intake valve is kept opened even after the BDC
is reached. By doing this, the cylinder becomes full with charge sufficiently. Otherwise less amount of
charge will enter in the cylinder whose pressure may become less than the atmospheric pressure, which
may cause poor performance.
 Compression Stroke
From the diagram, we can see that during the compression stroke the ignition is advanced before
reaching the piston to TDC. But Why?
- Because there is a time lag between spark and actual combustion. After sparking, chemical reaction
occurs in the atomic molecule, which requires some amount of time to perform combustion. This is why
the ignition is advances, so that the combustion can start at the right time during piston reaches to TDC.
 Expansion Stroke
From the diagram, we can see that during the expansion stroke the exhaust vale is opened before
reaching the piston to BDC. But Why?
- Because for removing burnt gas from the cylinder the exhaust valve is opened before reaching the
piston to BDC. This system associates to remove burnt gas during expansion stroke, also helps to enter
fresh charges.
 Exhaust Stroke
From the diagram, we can see that during the exhaust stroke the exhaust vale is opened for long time. It
was opened even after the piston reaches to the TDC. But Why?
- Because in such situation the intake valve is also remain opened. Which means the fresh charge
entered in the cylinder and associates to remove burnt gases. As a result more fresh charge can enter
into the cylinder and reduces engine knock. In this case both the intake valve and exhaust valve remain
opened, for this reason such phenomena is also known as ‘Valve overlapping’.