The timing diagram shows the closing and opening of the valves. The working cycle is illustrated as a ‘P - V’ diagram (pressure-volume). The line ‘l – l’ represents atmospheric line. The piston is considered to have just moved over the ‘top dead centre’ and is on its way down. The air inlet is already open and because of the partial vacuum created when the piston moves towards its bottom position, fresh air is sucked into the cylinder. This process is represented in the 'p-v' diagram by the line ‘1-2’ which is termed suction line. This movement of the piston is called 'Suction Stroke". After the piston has moved over bottom dead centre, the suction valve closes and the volume of air in the cylinder is compressed during the course of the up stroke of the piston. This is represented by the line ‘2-3’ in the above diagram and termed as compression line. This movement of piston is compression stroke. The ignition takes place at point 3 and combustion continues for th
Marine Engineering exam notes for Seafarers