Mäntämoottorit

Mäntämoottorit, often translated as piston engines or reciprocating engines, are a type of internal combustion engine. They operate by converting the pressure of expanding gases into mechanical work through the reciprocating motion of pistons within cylinders. This motion is then converted into rotational motion by a crankshaft.

The fundamental principle of a piston engine involves a cycle of events that typically occurs in four strokes: intake, compression, power, and exhaust. During the intake stroke, the piston moves down, drawing a fuel-air mixture into the cylinder. In the compression stroke, the piston moves up, compressing this mixture. The power stroke follows, where ignition of the compressed mixture creates a rapid expansion of gases, pushing the piston down and generating torque. Finally, the exhaust stroke expels the burnt gases from the cylinder.

Piston engines are widely used in various applications, including automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, boats, and stationary power generation. They can be powered by gasoline, diesel fuel, or other combustible substances. The efficiency and power output of a piston engine depend on factors such as engine size, number of cylinders, compression ratio, and fuel type. Variations exist, such as two-stroke and four-stroke engines, each with its own advantages and disadvantages regarding performance, emissions, and complexity.