Engineering English
Otto Cycle
Mechanical Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: An ideal thermodynamic cycle that models the operation of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine. It includes isentropic compression, constant-volume heat addition, isentropic expansion, and constant-volume heat rejection.
Example in context
“Increasing the compression ratio in an Otto cycle engine improves thermal efficiency but also raises the risk of engine knocking if the fuel octane rating is insufficient.”
“Otto çevrimli bir motorda sıkıştırma oranının artırılması termal verimliliği iyileştirir, ancak yakıt oktan derecesi yetersizse motor vuruntusu riskini de artırır.”
Where engineers use it
The Otto cycle is used to model spark-ignition engines for cars and small machinery. Engineers apply it to predict power output, fuel consumption, and the effect of compression ratio on efficiency.
Synonyms: Otto engine cycle, spark-ignition cycle
Practice: can you use “Otto Cycle” at work?
You are designing a high-efficiency gasoline engine. Evaluate how changing the compression ratio within the Otto cycle affects both efficiency and knock tendency.
Show a model answer
“The Otto cycle thermal efficiency is directly related to the compression ratio of the engine.”
“Otto Cycle” in 21 languages
| English | Otto Cycle |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Otto çevrimi |
| French | cycle d’Otto |
| German | Otto-Kreisprozess |
| Spanish | ciclo Otto |
| Chinese | 奥托循环 |
| Arabic | دورة أوتو |
| Portuguese | ciclo Otto |
| Russian | цикл Отто |
| Japanese | オットーサイクル |
| Italian | ciclo Otto |
| Vietnamese | chu trình Otto |
| Hindi | ओट्टो चक्र |
| Thai | วัฏจักรอ็อตโต |
| Indonesian | siklus Otto |
| Korean | 오토 사이클 |
| Bengali | অটো চক্র |
| Dutch | Ottocyclus |
| Swedish | Ottocykel |
| Finnish | Otto-sykli |
| Ukrainian | цикл Отто |
Frequently asked questions
What does Otto Cycle mean in engineering?
An ideal thermodynamic cycle that models the operation of a spark-ignition internal combustion engine. It includes isentropic compression, constant-volume heat addition, isentropic expansion, and constant-volume heat rejection. In Mechanical Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Otto Cycle?
Otto Cycle is pronounced /ˈɒtoʊ ˈsaɪkəl/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Otto Cycle used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “Increasing the compression ratio in an Otto cycle engine improves thermal efficiency but also raises the risk of engine knocking if the fuel octane rating is insufficient.”
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