12.10 Engines – General Piston Engines

12.10.2 Identify typical cylinder configurations used for aircraft piston engines.

Typical Piston Engine Configurations

• Radial cylinders are arranged in a circle around the crankshaft
• In Line cylinders are arranged in a single row
• Horizontally Opposed cylinders are arranged in two rows on opposite sides of the crankshaft, with each cylinder on one side of the engine block
• Inverted In Line (upside down In Line)

12.10.4 Explain the function of the main components of a four-stroke cycle piston engine including:

(a) cylinders;

It's a chamber where fuel is combusted and power is generated.

The cylinder consists of a piston and two valves at the top; an inlet and exhaust valves.

The piston moves up and down, and its reciprocating motion generates power that turns the propeller.

• Made of steel, smooth inner surface
• Air-cooled, have closely spaced external cooling fins

Cylinders are the main components of a four-stroke cycle piston engine.

They are cylindrical in shape and provide the housing for the piston, which moves up and down inside the cylinder.