The internal combustion engine goes through four coordinated events known as the four-stroke cycle. Here's a breakdown of each step:
1. Intake:
- In this first stage, the piston moves downward, creating a vacuum that draws in a mixture of air and fuel into the combustion chamber through the intake valve. The intake valve opens while the exhaust valve remains closed.
2. Compression:
- Once the intake stroke is completed, the piston moves back up, compressing the air-fuel mixture into a small space within the combustion chamber. This compression raises the temperature and pressure of the mixture, preparing it for combustion.
3. Power:
- When the piston reaches the top of its stroke, the spark plug ignites the compressed air-fuel mixture. The mixture rapidly burns, generating a high-pressure force that drives the piston downward. This downward movement of the piston is what creates the power that drives the engine.
4. Exhaust:
- After the power stroke, the piston moves back up again, pushing the remaining exhaust gases out of the combustion chamber through the open exhaust valve. This clears the chamber in preparation for the next cycle.
These four events – intake, compression, power, and exhaust – work together in a coordinated manner to produce the mechanical energy necessary to power the internal combustion engine.
