Hobbies And Interests
Cycles
Diesel generators can work on two- or four-stroke cycles. If a two-stroke cycle is used operators can avoid using one or both of the engine's valves. Two-stroke engines have a higher power to weight ratio --especially in smaller engines-- and have a less complicated valve train. Four-stroke engines, on the other hand, are more efficient and their power to weight ratio improves with larger engines.
Cylinders
Cylinders are part of the engines' fuel oil transfer, cooling and lubrication system. Large diesel generators will usually have between six to 12 cylinders.
Bore
The bore of an engine refers to the diameter of the cylinders. Engines with a bore larger than 600 millimeters usually have two-stroke cycle systems. The diesel generator of the Patriot State, the training ship for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, used a two-stroke engine with eight cylinders with a bore of 108 millimeters.
Piston Displacement
The piston displacement of a diesel generator describes the total volume covered by an engines piston when moving up and down a cylinder. The displacement of an engine depends on its bore and stroke, or distance the piston travels up and down the cylinder.
Compression Ratio
The compression ratio of a diesel generator determines how much the fuel is compressed when the engine's piston is at its highest point. In general the higher the compression ratio, the more powerful the engine.