2-stroke cycle with more details, and some 4-stroke engine stuff

First, a blast (literally) from the past: the steam engine:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/steam1.htm'

Scroll down and run the animation.

>

The familiar 2-stroke engine:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/two-stroke1.htm

With animation:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/two-stroke2.htm

>

Watch this video; the engine he shows in cut-away is a 2-stroke single-cylinder engine:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm

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Here is a single-cylinder 4-stroke engine, if you're thinking ahead a little:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine1.htm

(Note the FOUR strokes: intake, compression, combustion, exhaust)

This one is more like a lawn mower engine.

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And if you're really thinking ahead, here is a 4-cylinder 4-stroke engine:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine2.htm

>

And if you're super-curious, here is how the pistons translate all that up-and-down pumping into rotational motion (via the crankshaft):

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine4.htm

>

For casual reading: what can go wrong....

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine3.htm

The Carnot / Stirling Cycle

http://www.bpreid.com/carnot.php

http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/109N/more_stuff/flashlets/carnot.htm

http://library.thinkquest.org/C006011/english/sites/thermo3.php3?v=2

The 2-stroke engine

Some useful reading here:

http://www.southernskies.net/page_info/runningtwostrokeengine.html

http://www.theultralightplace.com/2%20stroke%20principle.htm

http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/two-stroke2.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-stroke_engine

Stuff

http://blizzard.rwic.und.edu/~nordlie/moped/repair.html

Syllabus

Automotive Physics
Fall 2011
Sean Lally

Course description

Students will learn what makes the ubiquitous automobile run - fuel,
engine, transmission, braking, steering and more. We will look at the
standard automotive systems in the first few weeks, and then design
and build our own gasoline-powered go-cart. Different groups of
students will work on the myriad elements of car design and
construction. Text materials will be online, and students will need
to provide their own eye and ear protection, as well as work clothing
(once construction begins). Grades will come from short research
papers and the extent to which the systems in the car actually
function. Want to know how a car works, how to change a tire or try
your hand at welding? We have a class for you.


Welcome to Automotive Physics! I’m so glad to have you hear. Let’s
get down to business. What do you want out of this class? We need to
decide that right away. I have an agenda, but I’m not married to it.
I need you learn about the parts of automobiles: engine, steering,
brakes, transmission and so forth. And then I’d like you to apply
these ideas (more or less) to build your own vehicle(s). That’s about
it. That said, the general path of project construction will be
determined by the groups in the class. I anticipate there being 3-4
ongoing group projects – and we’ll need to figure this out SOON.

General philosophy

I am neither a gearhead, nor a mechanics. I’m certainly not an
expert. I just like cars. I have offered this course because I think
it will be fun and informative for all of us. Don’t get too
frustrated with me if I can’t easily answer your questions – honestly,
this will probably happen a lot!

Grading

At present, I expect to determine grades from the following:

Half of the grade:

Proposal of project
Car review – examine automotive reviews and generate one of your own
History paper – pick a car or innovation with real historical importance
Technical paper – explain the science behind a particular automotive innovation
Test of some sort


The other half of the grade:

Your construction work, alone and with your team
Team evaluation
Self-evaluation/reflection

Topic sequence:

Introduction

What do YOU want out of the class?
What do YOU want to build?
What is it about cars that attracted you to the class?

Some physics

Gas laws (PV = nRT)
1st and 2nd laws of Thermodynamics
Conservation of energy
Pistons and compression
Carburetor

The engine

Carnot cycle
Stirling cycle
Introduction to the engine
Engines vs. motors
2-stroke
4-stroke
Otto cycle
Diesel cycle
Wankel cycle (?)

The systems

Transmission
Steering and differential
Braking (and Pascal’s principle)
Lubrication
Cooling
Electrical
Ignition
Power train

Building!
Useful web resources:

http://animatedengines.com/
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car.htm
http://www.howitworks.net/how-automobiles-work.html
http://www.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm
http://www.goped.com/
http://www.dune-buggy.com/buggylinks/Commercial/Plans/
http://www.spidercarts.com/
http://www.kartbuilding.net/
http://gokartplans.com/
http://www.diygokarts.com/kart-plans/kart-plans-main.html


Potentially Useful iPad / iPhone apps:

Repair pal
Pocket dyno
Dynolicious
Speedometer v. 1.1
g-meter
g-tac
Dev-toaster’s Rev

Print resources:

Auto Repair Illustrated - Doyle. My favorite book so far on all things auto. I found a copy at Ukazoo,
How Cars Work - Tom Newton
Auto Repairs for Dummies – Deanna Sclar
Automotive Science and Mathematics – Bonnick, Allan
Kinetic Contraptions - Curt Gabrielson
The Way Science Works - Macmillan
How to Keep Your VW Alive - John Muir
The Two-Can Stirling Engine – William Gurstelle
Build your own off-road buggy – Ron Champion

Local resources:

http://www.crazyraysautoparts.com/
Chris' Moped Repair: 443.414.1291
Parkville small Engine Repair


In preparation for our time together, here are some things I'd like
you to assemble:

clothes that can get dirty or greasy
eye protection
ear protection
hair ties (if you have long hair)

Course materials will be online, on this blog or presented on a flash
drive. There is no text for this class.
Finally, think about what you want to accomplish in this class. I have
an agenda, of course - I would like each student to learn the basics
of what makes automobiles run. I'd like to spend around 2-3 weeks
covering the basics: engine, transmission, brakes, etc. During this
time, you (and your team) will begin design on some component of a car
(go-cart, actually).

I expect that we will have 2-3 teams. Each will need to appoint
members to work on: frame, brakes, engine mounting, pedals, steering.

You will also need to decide whether or not this will be a closed
go-cart (with roll cage).

Mind you, I'm not married to most things in this class. If you decided
to build a motorcycle instead, I'd be happy with that - though I know
virtually nothing about it. If you wanted to build a helicopter
(rotorcycle), more power to you. My main job will be to keep you
focused and realistic, help you find resources and teach you some
basics. I'm not overly knowledgeable about cars, but I love the
process and I'm excited to learn with you.

Grades

Expect grades to come from the following:

2 papers - one on an auto system (ie., brakes) and one on an auto or
innovation of historical significance
the work that you and your team accomplish
team member evaluation
self-evaluation
test (yes, I said "test")

Where we are now.

Greetings, fellow car fanatics!

Here's where we left off, in terms of groups:

2-wheeler (motorcycle, etc.) -

Mark

Alex M?

Yi

Tess

Elliot

Claire

Hannah

Motorized bike -

Amy P

Nick

Kid car -

Amy L

Daniel

Julia

Maya

Go-kart -

Tal

Wayne

Dan

Emily

Anna Rose

Isabella

This last group needs to decide whether it will be 1 group or 2 - there is some disagreement as to what project people really want to undertake.

Also, Alex Marion needs to pick a group.

Here are a couple of things worth viewing (for certain groups):

For the motorized bike group:

http://bikemotorkit.com/

This and a bike will be nearly everything you need. Let me know if you're ready to commit and I'll order it.

For the 2-wheeler group:

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/2570164545.html

If we act fast, we can get this (and restore it). Let me know.

For the go-kart group(s):

http://www.dune-buggy.com/buggylinks/Commercial/Plans/
http://www.spidercarts.com/
http://www.kartbuilding.net/
http://gokartplans.com/
http://www.diygokarts.com/kart-plans/kart-plans-main.html

We could also consider buying a frame, etc. - Craigslist is a good place to start.

Let's figure stuff out by Wednesday, if at all possible.

Thanks - Sean