Identify the seven major parts of a reciprocating engine. Identify the actions in one complete cycle of a four-stroke reciprocating engine. Explain how a propeller creates thrust. Reciprocating engines power the conventional vehicles that we use for transportation, work, and pleasure. Reciprocating engines provide power for our automobiles, lawn mowers, tractors, motorcycles, boats, trains, airplanes, and a multitude of other devices used in today's modern lifestyle.
All reciprocating engines are basically the same.
This straight-line motion has to be changed to rotary motion in order to turn the wheels of automobiles and trains and the propellers of boats and airplanes. You will understand how this is done as you read and think about what is written and shown in this chapter. List the advantages of the turbofan engine. Describe the operation of a turboprop engine. Explain the operation of the ramjet engine.