THE OTTO CYCLE: A Spark-Ignited Internal Combustion Engine



Abstract

A spark-ignited internal combustion engine coupled to a dynamometer will be used to explore the Otto cycle, a heat-work cycle. The dynamometer allows the engine to be run under constant RPM conditions, and permits measurement of engine torque and RPM. The engine spark timing may be varied, its air/fuel ratio controlled, and cyclic measurements can be made of cylinder pressure and volume. The engine has a transparent cylinder wall and the combustion reaction can be watched as engine parameters are changed.