The four stroke engine is one of the most common engines.

It was first
exhibited by Nikolaus Otto in 1876, and so its principles of operation have
been termed as the Otto cycle, or are more commonly known as the four
stroke cycle as the operation of the engine requires four strokes of the piston
for one complete cycle.

The thermodynamic analysis of the operation of the four stroke engine is also termed
the otto cycle. The diagram below shows the four strokes of the piston corresponding
to the two graphs. The first graph shows the relationship between pressure and
volume as the piston moves, and the second indicates the position of the piston on
the x-axis (where TDC is top dead centre and BDC is bottom dead centre).

The four strokes that complete the cycle are all

equally important for the engine to function. They
consist of the intake stroke, compression stroke,
power stroke and exhaust stroke;

1. Intake stroke - allows the combustion chamber to fill with an airfuel mixture.
Firstly, the piston moves from top dead centre to bottom dead centre, allowing
the intake valve to open and decreasing the pressure of the chamber. Because
the pressure drops below atmospheric pressure, the air fuel mixture is drawn in
to fill the low pressure area. The air-fuel mixture is able to flow continuously due
to its own inertia until a few degrees past the bottom dead centre position, where
the direction of the piston changes. At this point, the air-fuel mixture is sealed in
the container. The volume of the air-fuel mixture ready for ignition is called the
charge.

2. Compression stroke - compresses the trapped air-fuel mixture or

charge in the cylinder.

The compressive force of the piston transfers the work done in moving the piston
to the air-fuel mixture causing an increase in temperature. The increase in
temperature increases the vaporisation of any fuel droplets in the cylinder. As the
fuel droplets vaporise, the surface area exposed to ignition is increased and
hence a more complete combustion will take place.

3. Power stroke - generates torque using energy within the fuel.

At around 20 past top dead centre, a spark at the spark plug initiates
combustion of the fuel. The atmospheric oxygen and fuel are rapidly consumed in
an oxidising chemical reaction, releasing energy in the form of heat. The flame
front (boundary at which by products and charge is separated) progresses
through the chamber until all of the fuel has undergone combustion.
The energy released during combustion increases the kinetic energy of the
molecules in the chamber and hence increases the pressure. This pressure forces
the piston downwards, causing the crankshaft to turn and hence a torque is
generated. A greater pressure increases the amount of torque produced.

4. Exhaust stroke where gases are expelled from the chamber.

The inertia of the flywheel (caused during the power stroke) pushes the piston
back to top dead centre and so reduces the volume of the cylinder, forcing the
exhaust gases (by-products) out of the exhaust valve. This is the final stroke,
returning the piston to top dead centre ready to start a new cycle.
And so, these four stroke together form the four stroke cycle. It takes two
revolutions of the crankshaft to complete.

The Principle Differences Between 2-stroke and 4-stroke

Engines

The are several principle differences between the 2-stroke and the 4-stroke engine.
The first of which to be explained is why are they named differently?
The reason why the two engines are named differently is due to the number of piston
movements it takes for the engine to complete a full cycle. The 4-stroke engine
completes its full engine cycle in 4 piston movements (a compression stroke and an
exhaust stroke, each followed by a return stroke) whereas the 2-stroke engine
completes its full engine cycle in 2 piston movements. (A compression stroke
followed by an explosion of the compressed fuel causing a return stroke)
2-stroke engine advantages - 2-stroke engines are lightweight and are relatively
simple in terms of parts. The 2-stroke engine weighs significantly less than a 4stroke engine of equal power output and there are from 30 up to 50% fewer moving
parts in comparison to a 4-stroke therefore also making it the cheaper engine. It is
also much easier to clear out a 2-stroke engine that has been flooded with water.
2-stroke engine disadvantages - 2-stroke engines have increased fuel
consumption and elevated hydrocarbon emissions compared to a 4-stroke. The
elevated hydrocarbon emissions are due to the 2-stroke engine having its intake and
exhaust open at the same time so some of the fresh air fuel charge passes through
the cylinder and out the exhaust port, without ever being burned, therefore having
higher unburnt hydrocarbon output in their exhaust than 4-stroke engines. (Apart
from some significant exceptions such as engines that use direct injection
technology or catalytic converters to obtain low emission). Also even though the 2stroke is the cheaper engine, the fuel for a 2-stroke engine is more expensive as it
requires extra added oil.
4-stroke engine advantages - 4-stroke engines have relatively clean burning from
an emissions stand point, they have significantly higher fuel efficiency compared to a
2-stroke engine, you don't need to add any oil to the fuel of a 4-stroke engine and
they are quiet in comparison to a 2-stroke.
4-stroke engine disadvantage - 4-stroke engines weigh approximately 20-40kg
more than a 2-stroke engine and are much more difficult to clear out if it has been
flooded with water.
The 4-stroke engine can still be just as fast as a 2-stroke engine even with its
increased weight due to the 4-strokes superior torque output. However generally 2stroke engines have a significant power boost over a 4-stroke engine as it fires one
every revolution as opposed to 4-strokes once every two revolutions, theoretically
giving 2-stroke engines the potential for twice the power of a 4-stroke engine.

What are some typical applications of the Honda

GX160?

Honda GX160 is one of the finest multi-purposed engines used in the world.
The common applications of Honda GX160 are:

Pressure washers/ Water pumps

Generators

Agricultural equipment

Industrial/ Construction equipment

Pressure washers powered by Honda GX160 are reliable, have high quality
durability and performance. Water pumps such as Honda WT20 Trash with a carry
frame are efficient and powerful. They can run in all conditions with automatic
decompression to reduce the pull force needed. It produces a maximum output of
170 litres per minute and a pressure of 2.6 Bars. This type of water pump is perfect
for moving high amounts of water fast.
They can be also used in a wide range of Generators to supply electricity or power
to appliances. For example The 2.7 kVA Honda GX160 petrol generator produces
low noise and couple to smooth wave from alternator. They can be also used in a
variety of agricultural equipment, for example Power Tillers, Wood Chopper, Skid
Sprayer and Two-wheel Walking Tractors. Its fuel efficiency and smooth performance
makes it a perfect 4-stroke engine in the world. It is also easy to use and maintain.
In industry, they are used in numerous different ways such as in Northern Industrial
Reversible Plate Compactor. It is powered by the high-quality Honda GX160 fourcycle engine for reliability and long-life. It produces 6000 vibrations per minute (VPM)
with travel speed of 82 (ft. per min.). Construction machinery such as Vibratory
Double Drum Road Roller uses a Honda GX160 4-stroke engine. It can also be used
in a concrete vibrating truss screed machine, usually used to clean windows of tall
buildings.
Other applications of Honda GX160 are:
1.

Garden equipment (Lawnmower)

2.

Go-Karts

3.

Fans

4.

Mobility Scooters

5.

Concrete Road Cutting Machines