26/09/2025
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**Stroke 1: Intake Stroke**
Illustration:
A high-definition technical illustration showing the cylinder of the steam engine with the intake valve open. The piston is at the top of its stroke, and the cylinder is filled with high-pressure steam from an external boiler. The steam enters the cylinder through the intake valve, and the piston starts to move downward.
**Key components:**
* Cylinder
* Intake valve
* Piston
* High-pressure steam from the external boiler
**Stroke 2: Expansion Stroke**
Illustration:
The intake valve closes, and the piston continues to move downward, driven by the expanding high-pressure steam. The steam pushes the piston down, transferring its energy to the crankshaft, which converts the linear motion into rotational energy. The illustration shows the piston at the bottom of its stroke, with the steam having expanded and done its work.
**Key components:**
* Cylinder
* Piston
* Crankshaft
* Expanded steam
**Stroke 3: Exhaust Stroke**
Illustration:
The piston starts moving upward, pushing the exhausted steam out of the cylinder through the exhaust valve. The exhaust valve opens, allowing the low-pressure steam to escape into a condenser, where it will be cooled and condensed back into water. The illustration shows the piston at the top of its stroke, with the exhaust valve open and the exhausted steam exiting the cylinder.
**Key components:**
* Cylinder
* Piston
* Exhaust valve
* Condenser
**Stroke 4: Compression Stroke**
Illustration:
The exhaust valve closes, and the piston continues to move upward, compressing the remaining steam and any residual gases in the cylinder. The compression stroke prepares the cylinder for the next intake stroke, ensuring that the cylinder is ready to receive a fresh charge of high-pressure steam from the external boiler. The illustration shows the piston at the top of its stroke, with the cylinder sealed and the steam compressed.
**Key components:**
* Cylinder
* Piston
* Compressed steam and residual gases
These four strokes - Intake, Expansion, Exhaust, and Compression - make up the complete cycle of a Steam External Combustion Engine. The high-definition technical illustrations showcase the intricate details of each stroke, highlighting the engine's components and the flow of steam throughout the procesion