KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN ELECTRICAL AND
TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
YEAR TWO, SEMESTER ONE.
NAME REGISTRATION FORM
MUGABI COMFORT RONNIE 24/U/BET/07313/PE
ODEKE NATHAN 24/U/BEL/19060/PD
OPIO IVAN 24/U/ETD/17297/GV
NAMUBIIRU SCOLASTICA 25/U/BEL/00791/GV
KIZITO DOUGLAS 24/U/BEL/17216/GV
OKIA NICHOLAS SIMON 24/X/BEL/10978/PD
SEKANDE SETH 25/U/BEL/00796/GV
ABWANGO GABRIEL 24/U/BEL/02018/PD
HOW A PETROL CAR ENGINE WORKS
Group Three Research
ABSTRACT
A petrol engine is an internal combustion engine that powers the modern automobile through a
series of energy conversions, where the chemical energy of the fuel is converted into
mechanical energy. This energy transformation is achieved through a series of controlled
explosions inside the engine cylinders, in what is known as a four-stroke cycle.
The key engine components included in this research are; pistons which move up and down to
generate mechanical energy, the crankshaft which converts the mechanical energy of the
pistons into rotary motion, the camshaft which controls the inlet and exhaust valves, and the
spark plug which ignites the air and fuel mixture.
This study also sheds light on how petrol engines differ from diesel engines, their applications
and benefits as per Uganda’s context.
Keywords : Internal combustion, four-stroke, bottom and top dead centers, petrol engine,
ignition.
INTRODUCTION
The car petrol engine was designed in 1883 by Gottlieb Daimler, and it functions on basic fluid
mechanics and thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is simply the relationship between heat and
other forms of energy. In a spark-ignition engine, which is the other name for petrol engines,
the energy source is a chemical fuel (petrol), which is combined with oxygen from the air by
burning to release heat. Expansion of the heated gases leads to the upward and downward
movement of the piston, which in turn rotates the crankshaft and ultimately the wheels through
the drive-train.
BODY
The four-stroke cycle, also known as the Otto cycle, works by the first downward stroke of the
piston drawing the fuel and air mixture into the cylinder through the open inlet valve (Intake
Stroke).
The descending piston creates a partial vacuum in the cylinder and the inlet valve of the
cylinder closes. The piston then ascends, compressing the fuel air mixture to very high
temperatures (Compression Stroke).
The compressed mixture is then ignited by a spark plug causing the third stroke as the piston is
forced downward (Power Stroke). It is the third stroke that gives the engine its power, as the
chemical energy of the fuel is converted into the rotational energy of the crankshaft connected
to the drive-train which moves the wheels.
The fourth stroke occurs when the exhaust valve is opened and the rising piston forces the
exhaust gases from the cylinder (Exhaust Stroke).
Figure 1: How A Four-Stroke Cycle Of A Petrol Car Engine Works
METHODOLOGY
A pressure volume (P-V) diagram visually represents the changes in volume and pressure of the
air-fuel mixture within the cylinder throughout the four strokes.
Figure 2: P-V Graph Inside The Cylinder of a Petrol Engine
From 1 to 2, the piston moves downward to the bottom of its range (Bottom Dead Center),
increasing the cylinder volume to allow the air-fuel mixture in through the open inlet valve.
At 2 to 3, the piston moves upward to the Top Dead Centre (the top of its range), the volume of
the cylinder decreases while increasing the pressure and temperature.
At 3 to 4, when the mixture is fully compressed, the spark plug ignites the mixture and
combustion occurs very quickly assuming a constant volume.
At 4 to 5, the high-pressure gases expand pushing the piston from the top dead centre to the
bottom dead centre, the pressure and temperature decreases as the volume increases.
From 5 to 6, the pressure decreases to allow the exhaust gases to be expelled out through the
exhaust valve.
HOW A PETROL ENGINE DIFFERS FROM A DIESEL ENGINE
In Uganda, petrol and diesel engines are the most commonly used, though there is also an
emergence of Hybrid or Electric Engines of late. Petrol and Diesel engines have a similar
anatomy, in that they are all ICEs (Internal Combustion Engines), they burn the fuel from within
their cylinders not outside. They all have pistons, cylinders, camshafts, crankshafts and several
other identical parts.
Their main difference however is that in a petrol engine, a spark plug is required to ignite the
compressed air-fuel mixture whereas in a diesel engine, the air-fuel mixture is compressed until
combustion occurs to deliver a power stroke which thrusts the piston downward. This is due to
the distinct properties between petrol and diesel.
BENEFITS OF PETROL ENGINES
They are cheaper to manufacture, thus a lower purchase price.
They have a smoother acceleration.
Quieter operation compared to diesel engines.
They are cheaper to maintain, with lower repair costs.
They are less bulky, can therefore work in smaller machines such as motorcycles and
lawnmowers.
REFERENCES
1. A Basic Introduction to Engines, John L Lumley, Cambridge University Press (1999)
2. The Invention of the Internal Combustion Engine By Rochelle Forrester (2019)
3. How A Car Engine Works, Animagraffs Youtube Channel, Jacob O’Neal (2021).
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