Complete RGPV exam-oriented page covering steam engine, Carnot cycle, Otto cycle, Diesel cycle, Dual cycle, P-V and T-S diagrams, two stroke engines, four stroke engines and compressor.
Reciprocating Machines important topics
Easy points for fast revision
Reciprocating machines are machines in which piston moves back and forth inside a cylinder. They are used in engines, compressors and pumps.
Steam engine converts heat energy of steam into mechanical energy. Steam pushes the piston and piston motion is converted into rotary motion by crankshaft.
Carnot cycle is an ideal thermodynamic cycle having maximum possible efficiency. It consists of two isothermal and two adiabatic processes.
Otto cycle is the air standard cycle for petrol engines. Heat addition and heat rejection take place at constant volume.
Diesel cycle is the air standard cycle for diesel engines. Heat addition takes place at constant pressure.
Dual cycle is the combination of Otto and Diesel cycles. Heat is supplied partly at constant volume and partly at constant pressure.
In four stroke engine, one power stroke is obtained in two revolutions of crankshaft. Strokes are suction, compression, power and exhaust.
Compressor is a machine used to increase pressure of gas. It converts mechanical energy into pressure energy of gas.
Important numerical formulas
High chance RGPV exam questions
Repeated questions from previous RGPV papers
| Topic | Repeated Questions | Frequency | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnot Cycle | P-V and T-S diagrams, efficiency derivation and numerical | Very High | ★★★★★ |
| Otto Cycle | Neat diagram, efficiency derivation and applications | Very High | ★★★★★ |
| Diesel Cycle | P-V and T-S diagrams, applications and comparison with Otto cycle | Very High | ★★★★★ |
| Two & Four Stroke Engines | Working, neat sketch and difference | High | ★★★★ |
| Compressor | Working principle, classification and applications | High | ★★★★ |
| Steam Engine | Working principle and applications | Medium | ★★★ |
| Dual Cycle | Neat sketch and applications | Medium | ★★★ |
| P-V and T-S Diagrams | Draw and explain diagrams | Medium | ★★★ |
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Common student doubts
Carnot cycle, Otto cycle, Diesel cycle, two stroke and four stroke engines, and compressor are most important.
Carnot efficiency, Otto efficiency, compression ratio and thermodynamic cycle work done numericals are important.
P-V diagram, T-S diagram, Carnot cycle, Otto cycle, Diesel cycle, two stroke engine and four stroke engine diagrams are important.