crankangle

Crankangle refers to the angular position of the crankshaft in an internal combustion engine. It is measured in degrees and is crucial for understanding the engine's operation and performance. The crankangle is typically referenced to the top dead center (TDC) or bottom dead center (BDC) of the piston's stroke. At TDC, the piston is at the highest point of its travel, while at BDC, it is at the lowest point.

The crankangle is a key parameter in engine timing, which involves synchronizing the ignition and fuel injection events with the piston's position to optimize combustion and efficiency. For example, in a four-stroke engine, ignition typically occurs around 20 degrees before TDC to ensure complete combustion.

Crankangle is also used to describe the phase of the crankshaft's rotation. For instance, a crankangle of 0 degrees corresponds to TDC, while 180 degrees corresponds to BDC. This terminology is essential for engine diagnostics, tuning, and performance modifications.

In summary, crankangle is a fundamental concept in engine mechanics, providing a standardized way to describe the piston's position and the engine's operational phase. It plays a critical role in engine timing, performance, and diagnostics.