How Does a Gasoline Engine Work?by Ryan Cramer 6th gradeHow Gasoline Powers an EngineA gasoline engine works on the concept of Internal CombustionInternal Combustion is the burning of a mixture of air and fuel inside the engine cylinders to create power to move the vehicleFour Stroke Cycle (also know as the Otto Cycle): includes intake, compression, power and exhaust strokes

www.howstuffworks.com/engineBrief History of the Internal Combustion Engine1860- Jean Joseph Etienne Lenoir: designed the first gas-fired internal combustion engine. His design included cylinders, pistons, connecting rods and a flywheel.

http://www.outrefranc.com/shows/ol/img/lenoir.jpg History of the Internal Combustion Engine Cont.1862- Nikolaus Otto: was the first to build and sell the four-cycle engine. His design at this time was a free-piston, non-compression engine.1876- Otto improved on his previous design and developed the first four-cycle, internal combustion engine that compressed the air and fuel mixture prior to the power stroke or combustion.

http://www.vezess.hu/hirek/180_eves_lenne_benzinmotor/37544/ History of the Internal Combustion Engine Cont.1885/1886 Karl Benz: Developed and patented the first high-speed, four stroke engine with a controlled exhaust valve, spark plug, high-voltage electrical vibrator and water cooling system. This is considered by some to be the birth of the first automobile.

http://imguol.com/2012/09/24/benz-model-1-1348527291472_615x470.jpgMain Components of the Modern Internal Combustion EngineEngine Block & Cylinder HeadCylindersCrankshaftConnecting RodsPistonsSpark PlugsFuel InjectorsIntake & Exhaust ValvesCam ShaftTiming Belt/Chain

www.carbibles.comThe Four Stroke CycleIntake StrokeCompression Stroke Power StrokeExhaust Stroke

ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4_stroke_engineStep 1: Intake Stroke1. The intake stroke begins by the intake camshaft rotating which make some valves open and some close.

2. As the piston moves downward, the chamber fills with a mixture of air and fuel while the exhaust valve remains closed. When the piston reaches the lowest point, the intake valve closes.

http://xorl.wordpress.com/2011/03/05Step 2: Compression Stroke1. Both the intake and exhaust valves close.2. The fuel and air mixture is pushed upward by the piston while compressing the air and fuel.

http://xorl.wordpress.com/2011/03/05Step 3: Power Stroke1. Both the intake and exhaust valves remain closed and the piston is at the top of the chamber.2. The power stroke begins when the spark plug fires and ignites the compressed fuel and air mixture.3. The pressure of the explosion will force the piston in a downward stroke.4. The controlled explosion (or combustion) transmits power to the crankshaft. This mechanical energy is transferred to the axles and ultimately makes the wheels of the vehicle move.

http://xorl.wordpress.com/2011/03/05Step 4: Exhaust Stroke1. As the piston moves in an upward motion, the exhaust valve opens.2. This releases the smoke or exhaust from the combustion process.3. The 4 stroke cycle begins again.

http://xorl.wordpress.com/2011/03/05Four Stroke Cycle

ffden-2.phys.uaf.eduJust ImagineMost car engines idle (run without the gas being depressed) between 600 rpm-1000 rpm Trucks and buses idle around 540 rpm.Rpm= Revolutions per minute... Thats how many times the crankshaft turns. There are 2 revolutions per cycle.If your car idles at 800 rpm.. That would mean the cycle repeats 400 times per minute or 6.67 cycles per second.If your car is going around 65 mph at 3000 rpm That would mean the cycle repeats 1500 times per minute or 25 cycles per second.Thats really fast

Examples of Engines:4, 6 and 8 Cylinders

Most vehicles today have one of these three types of engines.

The more cylinders it has, the more powerful the vehicle.

Cool YouTube Engine Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60QX5RY_ohQ

http://www.origo.hu/i/0907/20090728ferrari455.jpgReferences:www.autolife.umd.umich.eduwww.Daimler.comwww.ehow.comwww.xorl.wordpress.comwww.youtube.com/watch?v=zA_19bHxEYgwww.wikianswers.comwww.Wikipedia.orgwww.howstuffworks.com/engine