REPORT NO.

GASOLINE ENGINE

OBJECTIVE

To study the principle of operation of a gasoline engine and to study the principle
and operation of the different systems such as the fuel system, lubricating system, cooling
system and the electrical ignition system.

THEORY

WORKING PRINCIPLE OF FOUR/TWO STROKE CYCLE ENGINE

A mixture of fuel with correct amount of air is exploded in an engine cylinder which
is closed at one end. As a result of this explosion, heat is released and this heat causes the
pressure of the burning gases to increase. This pressure forces a close fitting piston to
move down the cylinder. The movement of piston is transmitted to a crankshaft by a
connecting rod so that the crankshaft rotates and turns a flywheel connected to it. Power
is taken from the rotating crankshaft to do mechanical work. To obtain continuous
rotation of the crankshaft the explosion has to be repeated continuously.

Before the explosion to take place, the used gases are expelled from the cylinder,
fresh charge of fuel and air are admitted into the cylinder and the piston moved back to
its starting position. The sequences of events taking place inside the engine are as follows:

1. Admission of air or fuel-mixture inside the engine cylinder (suction)

2. Compression of the air or fuel mixture inside the engine (compression)
3. Injection of fuel in compressed air for ignition of the fuel or ignition of air-fuel
mixture by an electric spark using a spark plug to produce thermal power inside
the cylinder (power)
4. Removal of all the burnt gases from the cylinder to receive fresh charge
(exhaust)
 ENGINE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION

Electric Ignition – Magneto

A magneto is a fixed-magnet, generator designed to produce sufficient voltage to

fire the spark plugs. A high-tension magneto is entirely self-contained and requires only
spark plugs, wires, and switches to meet ignition requirements.

Carburetor

The gasoline carburetor is a device that introduces fuel into the airstream as it
flows into the engine.

Cooling System

The cylinders of internal combustion engines require cooling because of the

inability of the engine to convert all of the energy released by combustion into useful
work

Cooling System

The cylinders of internal combustion engines require cooling because of the

inability of the engine to convert all of the energy released by combustion into useful
work

Lubrication System

Lubrication is employed to reduce friction by interposing a film between rubbing

parts.

Exhaust System

Combustion products exit the engine cylinder through the exhaust valves in the
cylinder head
Fuel

As the gasoline engine developed, gasoline and the engine were harmonized to
attain the best possible matching of characteristics. The most important properties of
gasoline are its vitality and anti-knock quality

MATERIAL/APPARATUS

Gasoline Engine in the ME Lab, Tools

PROCEDURE

Carefully disassemble the necessary parts of the Gasoline Engine. Make a thorough
study of the different system like valves of the Gasoline Engine. After getting familiarized
with the certain parts of the engine, assemble the parts and make a rough isometric view
of the engine.

Cross Section of a V-type engine

 EVENTS ON A FOUR-STROKE ENGINE CYCLE

Suction Stroke

During suction stroke inlet valve opens and the piston moves downward. Only air or
a mixture of air and fuel are drawn inside the cylinder. The exhaust valve remains in
closed position during this stroke. The pressure in the engine cylinder is less than
atmospheric pressure during this stroke.

Compression Stroke

During this stroke the piston moves upward. Both valves are in closed position. The
charge taken in the cylinder is compressed by the upward movement of piston. If only air
is compressed, as in case of diesel engine, diesel is injected at the end of the compression
stroke and ignition of fuel takes place due to high pressure and temperature of the
compressed air. If a mixture of air and fuel is compressed in the cylinder, as in case of
petrol engine, the mixture is ignited by a spark plug.

Power Stroke

After ignition of fuel, tremendous amount of heat is generated, causing very high
pressure in the cylinder which pushes the piston downward. The downward movement of
the piston at this instant is called power stroke. The connecting rod transmits the power
from piston to the crank shaft and crank shaft rotates. Mechanical work can be taped at
the rotating crank shaft. Both valves remain closed during power stroke.

Exhaust Stroke

During this stroke piston moves upward. Exhaust valve opens and exhaust gases go
out through exhaust valves opening. All the burnt gases go out of the engine and the
cylinder becomes ready to receive the fresh charge. During this stroke inlet valve remains
closed.
 EVENTS ON A TWO-STROKE ENGINE CYCLE

In two stroke cycle engines, the whole sequence of events i.e., suction, compression,
power and exhaust are completed in two strokes of the piston i.e. one revolution of the
crankshaft. There is no valve in this type of engine. Gas movement takes place through
holes called ports in the cylinder. The crankcase of the engine is air tight in which the
crankshaft rotates.

Upward Stroke of the Piston (Suction + Compression)

When the piston moves upward it covers two of the ports, the exhaust port and
transfer port, which are normally almost opposite to each other. This traps the charge of
air- fuel mixture drawn already in to the cylinder. Further upward movement of the piston
compresses the charge and also uncovers the suction port. Now fresh mixture is drawn
through this port into the crankcase. Just before the end of this stroke, the mixture in the
cylinder is ignited by a spark plug. Thus, during this stroke both suction and compression
events are completed.

Downward Stroke (Power + Exhaust)

Burning of the fuel rises the temperature and pressure of the gases which forces the
piston to move down the cylinder. When the piston moves down, it closes the suction
port, trapping the fresh charge drawn into the crankcase during the previous upward
stroke. Further downward movement of the piston uncovers first the exhaust port and then
the transfer port. Now fresh charge in the crankcase moves in to the cylinder through the
transfer port driving out the burnt gases through the exhaust port. Special shaped piston
crown deflects the incoming mixture up around the cylinder so that it can help in driving
out the exhaust gases. During the downward stroke of the piston power and exhaust events
are completed.
DISCUSSION

During the experiment, to determine the internal combustion system of the Gasoline
Engine, the cylinder head, inlet and exhaust manifold was removed. In this part you can
see the intake and exhaust valves. By removing the spark plug and inserting a metal rod
inside the hole, and rotating the pulley, you can determine the top dead center and bottom
dead center of the piston.

The Gasoline Engine operates on a Four-Stroke Cycle. This was determined by the
revolution of the pulley and the movement of the valves. During the first revolution the
intake valve opens and closed. And during the next two revolutions, the intake and
exhaust valves remains closed. And the during the fourth revolution, the exhaust valve
opens and closed. The movement of the intake and exhaust valves are controlled by the
camshaft driven by the crankshaft. It was proven that during the first revolution or stroke,
intake stroke is being done. During the second and third stroke, compression and power
stroke is being done, and the last stroke, exhaust stroke is being done.

REFERENCES

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-stroke_engine

http://mechstuff.com/how-does-a-4-stroke-engine-work/

https://www.britannica.com/technology/gasoline-engine

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140717090644-133229807-principles-and-working-
of-four-stroke-gasoline-engine