INTRODUCTIONDependable performance can be expected from a Perkins marine diesel engine when the operation and maintenanceprocedures are based upon a clear understanding of diesel engine operating principles. Each moving part of the engineaffects the operation of every other moving part and the engine as a whole.Perkins diesel engines are four stroke cycle engines with either a direct or indirect combustion system. Diesel enginesdiffer from other internal combustion engines in several ways. Compression ratios are higher than in gasoline engines.The intake stroke provides air only to the cylinder. Fuel is delivered to the cylinder in an atomized form by an injector.This fuel, in accurately metered quantities and with exact timing, is delivered to the injectors via extremely high pressurefrom the fuel injection pump. Ignition of the fuel is effected by the heat developed from compressing the air into thecombustion chamber.PERKINS DIESEL FOUR STROKE CYCLE1. INTAKE STROKE - The piston travels down the cylinder, the intake valve is open and the exhaust valve is closed.The partial vacuum created by the downward stroke of the piston pulls air from outside through the open intake valveinto the cylinder.2. COMPRESSION STROKE - At the end of the intake stroke, the intake valve closes while the piston travels upward onthe compression stroke. The exhaust valve remains closed. At the end of the compression stroke, the air in thecombustion chamber has been forced by the piston into a space that is one-sixteenth (or less) the original volumeavailable at the beginning of the stroke. Thus, the compression ratio is 16:1 (or, for some engines, greater).Compressing the air into a small space causes the temperature to rise to approximately 1000 degrees F. Just beforeT.D.C., a small atomized, metered charge of fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, the fuel is ignited by the hotair and starts to burn.3. POWER STROKE - During the power stroke, the piston travels down the cylinder and both intake and exhaust valvesare closed. As the air and fuel mixture burns, the gases become hotter and hotter, rapidly expand and add force tocrankshaft rotation.4. EXHAUST STROKE - During the exhaust stroke, the intake valve remains closed, the exhaust valve is open, and thepiston on the upward stroke forces the burned gases out of the combustion chamber through the open exhaust valveport.Turbocharged engines utilize the exhaust to power the turbine and "boost" the density of the intake air, which results in anincrease in engine power.The standard direction of rotation for Perkins marine diesel engines is counterclockwise when viewing the engine from thegearbox end (rear) of the engine. Contrarotating engines (rotation is clockwise when viewing the engine from the rear)are the exception.-4-
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