Engine Fundamentals

Engine?
Heat engine is a device which converts heat energy (combustion of fuel) into mechanical energy.

Engine Types
External-combustion Internal-combustion

The Combustion Process

HC + O = H2O + CO2 + Heat Fuel and air compressed Spark Combustion Incomplete combustion results in Carbon Monoxide and some unburned gasoline Another group of atmospheric pollutants from the engine is nitrogen oxides(NOx). The high temperatures in the engine cause some of the nitrogen to unite with oxygen. This forms the nitrogen oxides.

Effect of Heat
Purpose of the combustion process is to produce heat Heat to do work Heat will cause most substances to expand Heat will cause air to expand

Increase in Pressure
Pressure measured in PSI or Pounds per square inch Air pressure will increase when heated if it is in a enclosed area (air 15psi @ 32 degrees will be 17psi @100 degrees) Air pressure will increase if it is compressed (1/6 to 1/8 original volume in gasoline engines)

Increase in Temperature
Air pressure and temperature increased when compressed Gasoline engine temperature is raised several hundred degrees Diesel temperature increase is even greater (more compression)

Terms
Thermometer measures temperature by the expansion of metals Thermostat different metals expand at different rates. This difference is used in thermostats by wielding two different metals together Gravity is the attractive force between the earth and all other objects.

Terms cont.
Atmospheric Pressure air has weight 1 cubic foot of air weighs 0.08 lbs [0.035 kg]. The blanket of air that surrounds the earth amounts to many cubic feet of air. This combined weight amounts to about 15 psi [103 kPa] at sea level. Vacuum is the absence of air.

Producing a Vacuum
Engines produce a partial vacuum in the cylinder by the action of the piston (this allows the air fuel mixture to be drawn into the cylinder by the force of atmospheric pressure)

Piston Engine Operation

Imagine a large can with one end cut out. Inside that can is a slightly smaller can that fits snuggly. Now push the smaller can into the larger can trapping air between the two this compresses the air. If the air contains some fuel and a spark is supplied combustion can take place.

Piston Engine Operation cont.

Heat from the combustion causes the air to expand pushing the smaller can back To make the engine run this process must be repeated (reciprocate)

Basic Parts of the S.I Engine

Cylinder block Piston Piston rings Piston pin Connecting rod Crankshaft Cylinder head Intake valve Exhaust valve Camshaft Timing gears Spark plug

Cylinder Block

Basic frame of gasoline engine. Contains the cylinder.

Piston
Made of aluminium alloy

Piston Rings
Compression Rings Oil control rings The rings seal the compression gases above the piston keep the oil below the piston rings. The leakage of compressed fuel-air mixture into the crankcase, through the piston clearance, is called blowby. The excessive blowby reduces the engine power, wastes fuel, and pollutes the air.

Piston Pins
Also known as the wrist pin, it connects the piston to the small end of the connecting rod. It transfers the force and allows the rod to swing back and forth.

Connecting Rod
Connects the piston and piston pin to the crankshaft.

Crankshaft
Along the the piston pin and connecting rod it converts the up and down motion (reciprocating) of the engine to spinning (rotary) motion.

Flywheel
Carries the inertia when there is no power stroke.

Lower End Action

Intake and Exhaust Valves

Doorway that lets the gases in and out of the engine.

Camshaft
Through the use of an eccentric the cam lobes push the valves open. The valve springs close them.

Timing Gears

These gears drive the camshaft from the crankshaft.

Spark Plug
Electric match used to begin the combustion process of burning air and gasoline to create heat.

Engine Related Terms

TDC (top dead center) BDC (bottom dead center) Stroke Bore Revolution Compression Ratio Displacement Cycle

Four Stroke Cycle

Intake Compression Power Exhaust

Intake Stroke
Intake valve opens. Piston moves down, turn of crankshaft. A vacuum is created in the cylinder. Atmospheric pressure pushes the air/fuel mixture into the cylinder.

Compression Stroke
Valves close. Piston moves up, turn of crankshaft. Air/fuel mixture is compressed. Fuel starts to vaporize and heat begins to build. The mixture is compressed into 1/8 or less of its original volume.

Power Stroke
Valves remain closed. Spark plug fires igniting fuel mixture. Piston moves down, turn of crankshaft. Heat is converted to mechanical energy.

Exhaust Stroke
Exhaust valve opens. Piston move up, crankshaft makes turn. Exhaust gases are pushed out polluting the atmosphere.

Four Stroke Cycle Animation

Two Stroke Animation

Diesel Four Stroke Animation

Diesel 2 stroke