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As we progress through the decades with advancements in electronics,
science and technology we must not forget the basis of our modern day
sources of transportation. I would like to explicate a system in which
I am fairly familiar with and have been the highlights of my interests.
This is the recent power developments and characteristics of a
four-cycle engine. Also known as the Otto cycle engine, the four-stroke
engine works of off many mechanical components that simply derive power
on the basic mixture of air and fuel. Hence the name “four cycle” such
an engine consists of four complete strokes or cycles to consume and
make power. With the completion of four cycles, intake, compression,
power and exhaust, such a machine can thoroughly and consistently make
power.
Today, manufacturers are concerned with meeting emissions standards,
which is why many changes have been made to the four-cycle engine. Some
changes may consist of variable valve timing (VVT); programmable fuel
injection (Pgm-Fi) with electronically controlled fuel mapping, and
turbochargers. Those all can increase power output, and some,
efficiency.
Many parts and components have taken over such standards and
exclusively expresses the advantages, due to more intake and less fuel.
One device is called a turbocharger system. Most cars with engines are
naturally aspirated, which means the engine sucks air through the
intake manifold and completes the intake stroke through means of normal
atmospheric pressures. Optimum barometric pressure readings of NA
engines are about 1.0. The NA engine is restricted to produce it’s
maximum power output due to the loss of volumetric efficiency (air
forced into the cylinders with a mixture of gasoline). The ratio of air
to fuel is very important in determining horsepower. The turbocharger
can do all this and much more. Here is a brief background.
The turbocharger is a device mounted to the intake manifold. It is a
circular air pump operated by exhaust gases. It consists of a
compressor on the intake side, shaft in the middle and turbine on the
exhaust side. It is used to improve engine performance through means of
a higher air compression status and the same or less amount of fuel to
the cylinders. The turbocharger’s compressor can spin up to 100,000
revolutions per minute. One disadvantage of such a turbo-charged engine
application is the stress of mechanical parts due to heat. I may
suggest an inter-cooler to provide cooling efficiency of exhaust gases
inside the turbocharger. This is mostly important because high
temperatures of gases contain less oxygen than normal cool
temperatures. Thus, this may result in a loss of performance and
throttle acceleration.
The turbocharger can be very useful for dramatic horsepower gains
and engine performance, although installing such an application may
sacrifice reliability and engine longevity, with the addition of
changes in electronics and ECU’s. Many who own import cars are buying
such systems because of overall 30-60% horsepower gains.
Another example is the expanded technology of intake and exhaust
valves. Valves work off of the rotation of an engine’s camshaft. These
newly designed valves actuate by electronics inside of the engine.
Variable Valve Timing also known as (VVT) is definitely a huge change
in the advancement of gas mileage, efficiency, and power. If a car with
VVT has sixteen intake valves, and sixteen exhausts valves, only
sixteen of the thirty-two valves work, not thirty-two. Due to the
electronic shutdown of the valves, only all thirty- two valves will
work at a specified rpm range. Thus, reducing fuel consumption and more
air intake, making plenty more lb. of Ft. torque.
I would also like to explain the programmable fuel injection system
(Pgm-Fi). Many engines today have been developed with electronic fuel
injection. Every engine is either carbuerated, or fed fuel through an
injector of each cylinder by electronics. The newly revamped EFI engine
is the result of electronic injectors. Controlled electronically, these
injectors can account for finer fuel atomization. The finer fuel
atomization causes the fuel to be dispersed evenly, and even finer
inside the cylinder before the power stroke. This causes less fuel to
burn longer, decrease rapid combustion, and the result, more power!
We can conclude that cars today have undergone extensive changes and
developments in four-stroke technology. I feel that efficiency of
automobiles and power is one in the same. I really like cars with
excellent performance and gas mileage. Take for an example Honda’s
automobiles. Their cars from the factory can be fast, but most of all,
they are very efficient. This is the new age of automobiles. This is
only the very basis of engineering excellence, and the ongoing
determination to research and develop the world’s most powerful and
efficient automobiles.
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