Cylinder Pressure Formula:
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Definition: This calculator determines the pressure inside an engine cylinder based on the force applied to the piston and the piston's surface area.
Purpose: It helps automotive engineers, mechanics, and enthusiasts understand and optimize engine performance.
The calculator uses the fundamental pressure formula:
Where:
Explanation: The force generated by combustion is distributed over the piston area to create pressure.
Details: Proper cylinder pressure is crucial for engine efficiency, power output, and preventing engine damage from excessive pressures.
Tips: Enter the force in Newtons (typically combustion force) and piston area in square meters. Both values must be positive.
Q1: How do I find the force acting on the piston?
A: Force can be calculated from torque or measured directly with pressure sensors in the cylinder.
Q2: What's a typical piston area?
A: Piston area is πr² where r is the piston radius. For example, an 80mm diameter piston has an area of about 0.005 m².
Q3: What are normal cylinder pressure values?
A: Gasoline engines typically have 800-1500 kPa during compression and 2000-3500 kPa during combustion.
Q4: How does this relate to engine power?
A: Higher pressures generally mean more power, but must stay within engine design limits.
Q5: Should I use absolute or gauge pressure?
A: For engine calculations, absolute pressure (including atmospheric) is typically used.