Lesson 3: Reciprocating

Engine Theory Of Operation

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

Operation
Engine Operating Principles

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Operating Cycles
Two-Stroke
Requires only one upstroke and one downstroke of
the piston to complete the required series of events in
the cylinders.
Completes the operating cycle in one revolution of the
crankshaft.

What are the sequence of events that take place

to convert the chemical energy into mechanical
energy?

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Intake
Compression
Ignition
Power
Exhaust

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Two-Stroke

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Four-stroke
Four strokes required
to complete the events.
Two revolutions of the
crankshaft (720) are
required to complete
the four strokes.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Engine Power And Efficiency
Work = Force x Distance

Horsepower = ft-lb per min or ft-lb per sec

33,000
550

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Piston Displacement
The greater the piston displacement the greater
the horsepower an engine will develop.
The volume displaced by a piston is its
displacement.
Expressed in cubic inches.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Piston Displacement
PD = Area of cross section of cylinder
multiplied by total distance the piston moves.
V=AxH

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Compression Ratio
Comparison of the volume of space in a
cylinder when the piston is at the bottom of the
stroke to the volume of space when the piston
is at the top of the stroke.
The higher the engine compression ratio, the
higher the engine efficiency (horsepower
output) will be.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)
Average absolute pressure of the fuel/air
charge in the intake manifold.
Measured in units of inches of mercury (Hg).
Dependent mostly on ambient air pressure,
engine speed, and throttle setting.
Supercharging increases MAP.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Compression Ratio & Manifold Pressure.
Determines the pressure in the cylinder when
both valves are closed.
Pressure of charge before compression is
determined by the manifold pressure.
Pressure at the height of compression is
determined by manifold pressure times the
compression ratio.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Absolute & Gauge Pressure.
Absolute Pressure
Identifies the pressure measurement as one
that is based on a comparison of the
pressure in the manifold with pressure at
absolute zero.
Gauge Pressure
Compares the pressure being measured
against ambient pressure.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Indicated Horsepower
Horsepower calculated from the indicated
mean effective pressure and the other factors
which affect the power output of an engine.
The power developed in the combustion
chamber without reference to the friction
losses within the engine.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Brake Horsepower (BHP)
The power delivered from the engine to the
propeller for useful work.
Total horsepower lost due to friction is
subtracted from indicated horsepower.
The measurement of an engines BHP involves
the measurement of torque.
Torque = Force times distance

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Friction Horsepower
Indicated horsepower minus brake
horsepower.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Friction And Brake Mean Effective Pressure
Indicated Mean Effective Pressure
Pressure used to create frictionless power.
Friction Mean Effective Pressure
The pressure used to overcome internal
friction.
Brake Mean Effective Pressure
The pressure used to produce useful work.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Thrust Horsepower
The result of the engine and propeller working
together.
The ratio of thrust horsepower and brake
horsepower delivered to the propeller shaft will
never be equal.
Determines the performance of the enginepropeller combination.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Efficiencies
Thermal Efficiency
The ratio of useful work done by an engine
to the heat energy of the fuel it uses,
expressed in work or heat units.
Mechanical Efficiency
The ratio that shows how much of the power
developed by the expanding gases in the
cylinder is actually delivered to the output
shaft.

Reciprocating Engine Theory Of

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Efficiencies
Volumetric Efficiency
A comparison of the volume of fuel/air
charge inducted into the cylinders to the
total piston displacement of the engine.