With reference to diesel engines, explain EACH of the following terms:
(a) top dead centre;(1)
(b) bottom dead centre;(1)
(c) piston stroke;(2)
(d) swept volume;(2)
(e) clearance volume;(2)
(f) compression ratio.(2)
Top Dead Center (TDC)
Top Dead Center (TDC) is the highest point reached by the piston in a cylinder as it travels up and down within its bore. It’s a crucial reference point for engine timing and operation.
1. 3 Ways to Find Your Engine’s Top Dead Center (TDC) – wikiHow
2. Top Dead Center Application – Lion Precision
Importance of TDC:
- Timing reference: All engine events, such as valve opening and closing, fuel injection, and ignition timing, are referenced to TDC.
- Compression and expansion: TDC marks the end of the compression stroke and the beginning of the power (expansion) stroke.
- Engine calculations: Various engine parameters, like compression ratio and stroke length, are calculated based on TDC and bottom dead center (BDC).
Identifying TDC:
- Machined marks: Engine blocks often have machined marks or notches to indicate TDC for each cylinder.
- Timing tools: Special tools can be used to accurately determine TDC.
Understanding TDC is essential for engine repair, maintenance, and performance tuning.
Bottom Dead Center (BDC)
Bottom Dead Center (BDC) is the lowest position of a piston in a cylinder as it moves up and down within its bore. It’s the opposite of Top Dead Center (TDC).
Importance of BDC:
- Reference point: Along with TDC, BDC is a crucial reference point for determining piston travel, crankshaft rotation, and valve timing.
- Volume measurement: The volume of the cylinder at BDC is used to calculate the compression ratio of the engine. 1. How To Calculate Engine Compression Ratio And Displacement – JE Pistons www.jepistons.com
- Engine cycle: BDC marks the end of the exhaust stroke and the beginning of the intake stroke.
Understanding both TDC and BDC is essential for comprehending the operation and mechanics of a diesel engine.
Piston Stroke in Diesel Engines
Piston stroke refers to the total distance traveled by a piston within a cylinder, from its highest point (Top Dead Center – TDC) to its lowest point (Bottom Dead Center – BDC) and back again.
1. The four stroke cycle | Leading Edge Only
Importance of Piston Stroke:
- Engine displacement: Along with bore (cylinder diameter), piston stroke determines engine displacement, which directly influences power output.
- Engine speed: Longer stroke engines generally produce more torque at lower RPMs, while shorter stroke engines tend to rev higher.
- Engine design: The piston stroke is a critical dimension in engine design, affecting components like connecting rods, crankshaft, and cylinder block.
In essence, piston stroke is a fundamental parameter that significantly influences the characteristics and performance of a diesel engine.
Swept Volume in Diesel Engines
Swept volume is the volume displaced by the piston as it moves from top dead center (TDC) to bottom dead center (BDC) in a cylinder. It’s essentially the volume of air or fuel-air mixture that is drawn into or expelled from the cylinder during one complete stroke of the piston.
1. [Solved] Swept volume of engine may be written as: – Testbook
Calculation:
- Swept Volume (Vs) = π/4 * bore² * stroke
- Where:
- π = Pi (approximately 3.14159) 1. Math Antics – Circles, What Is PI? – YouTube m.youtube.com
- bore = diameter of the cylinder 1. Bore and Stroke – NASA Glenn Research Center www.grc.nasa.gov
- stroke = distance traveled by the piston from TDC to BDC 1. Solved 2. In an engine, a piston oscillates along a linear | Chegg.com www.chegg.com
- Where:
Importance of Swept Volume:
- Engine displacement: Along with the number of cylinders, swept volume determines the engine’s displacement, a key factor in power output.
- Compression ratio: The ratio of the total cylinder volume (swept volume + clearance volume) to the clearance volume is the compression ratio, a critical parameter for engine performance. 1. [Solved] Swept volume of engine may be written as: – Testbook testbook.com
Understanding swept volume is essential for analyzing engine performance, comparing different engine sizes, and calculating other engine parameters.
Clearance Volume in Diesel Engines
Clearance volume is the volume remaining in the cylinder when the piston is at its highest point (Top Dead Center – TDC). This is the space between the piston crown and the cylinder head.
1. Thermodynamics Glossary – Cylinder Volume
Importance of Clearance Volume:
- Compression Ratio: The ratio of the total cylinder volume (swept volume + clearance volume) to the clearance volume determines the engine’s compression ratio.
- Combustion Chamber Design: The shape and size of the clearance volume influence the combustion process.
- Heat Transfer: The clearance volume affects heat transfer between the combustion gases and the cylinder head.
A smaller clearance volume generally leads to a higher compression ratio, which can improve engine efficiency. However, it also increases combustion chamber pressures and temperatures, requiring careful engine design to prevent issues like detonation.
Compression Ratio in Diesel Engines
Compression ratio is a fundamental parameter in diesel engines that significantly influences performance and efficiency. It is defined as the ratio of the total cylinder volume (when the piston is at bottom dead center) to the clearance volume (the volume remaining when the piston is at top dead center).
1. Compression ratio – Wikipedia
2. Compression ratio is the ratio of A Swept volume to class 11 physics JEE_Main – Vedantu
Mathematically:
- Compression Ratio = (Total Cylinder Volume) / (Clearance Volume) 1. Compression ratio is the ratio of A Swept volume to class 11 physics JEE_Main – Vedantu www.vedantu.com
Importance of Compression Ratio:
- Ignition: Higher compression ratios lead to higher temperatures during the compression stroke, which is crucial for spontaneous ignition of the diesel fuel. 1. Compression ratio – Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Efficiency: Higher compression ratios generally result in better thermal efficiency, leading to improved fuel economy. 1. How compression ratio affects fuel economy? | 4 Answers from Research papers – SciSpace typeset.io
- Power Output: Increased compression ratios can contribute to higher power output. 1. Diesel Engine Basics | E-ZOIL www.ezoil.com
Diesel engines typically have much higher compression ratios compared to gasoline engines due to the absence of a spark plug for ignition. This allows for efficient combustion and better fuel economy.