An
Otto cycle is an idealized
thermodynamic cycle that describes the functioning of a typical
spark ignition piston engine. It is the thermodynamic cycle most commonly found in automobile engines. [File:Otto2.png|thumb|right|left|300px|Temperature-Entropy diagram
The idealized diagrams of a four-stroke Otto cycle
Both diagrams:
the
intake (A) stroke is performed by an
isobaric expansion, followed by an
adiabatic compression (B) stroke. Through the combustion of fuel, heat is added in an a constant volume (
isochoric process) process, followed by an adiabatic expansion process
power (C) stroke. The cycle is closed by the
exhaust (D) stroke, characterized by isochoric cooling and isentropic compression processes.]]