Engine Types and Components

Engine Types

• Internal Combustion Engine (ICE): most common type of engine used in cars, burns fuel (gasoline or diesel) inside the engine to generate power
• Electric Engine: uses electric motors powered by a battery or fuel cell, zero emissions
• Hybrid Engine: combines ICE and electric motor for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions

Engine Components

• Cylinders: where fuel is burned to generate power, typically 4, 6, or 8 cylinders
• Pistons: move up and down in cylinders, driven by explosive force of fuel combustion
• Crankshaft: converts up-and-down motion of pistons into rotary motion
• Camshaft: operates valves that allow air and fuel into cylinders and exhaust gases out
• Valves: control air and fuel flow into cylinders and exhaust gases out

Engine Cycle

• Intake: air and fuel enter cylinder through intake valve
• Compression: air and fuel mixture is compressed by piston
• Power: spark plug ignites fuel mixture, generating power
• Exhaust: exhaust valves open, exhaust gases exit cylinder

Engine Performance

• Horsepower (HP): measure of engine power, typically measured at crankshaft
• Torque: rotational force of engine, measured in units of distance and force (e.g. lb-ft)
• Displacement: total volume of all cylinders, measured in liters (L) or cubic centimeters (cc)

Engine Technologies

• Fuel Injection: fuel is sprayed into cylinders at precise times, improving efficiency and performance
• Turbocharging: uses exhaust gases to drive turbine, increasing engine power and efficiency
• Variable Valve Timing: adjusts valve timing to improve engine performance and efficiency

Engine Basics

• Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is the most common type of engine, burning fuel inside the engine to generate power.
• Electric Engines use electric motors powered by a battery or fuel cell, producing zero emissions.
• Hybrid Engines combine ICE and electric motor for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

Engine Components and Their Functions

• Cylinders are where fuel is burned to generate power, typically 4, 6, or 8 in number.
• Pistons move up and down in cylinders, driven by the explosive force of fuel combustion.
• Crankshaft converts the up-and-down motion of pistons into rotary motion.
• Camshaft operates valves that allow air and fuel into cylinders and exhaust gases out.
• Valves control air and fuel flow into cylinders and exhaust gases out.

The 4-Stroke Engine Cycle

• Intake: air and fuel enter the cylinder through the intake valve.
• Compression: air and fuel mixture is compressed by the piston.
• Power: spark plug ignites fuel mixture, generating power.
• Exhaust: exhaust valves open, and exhaust gases exit the cylinder.

Measuring Engine Performance

• Horsepower (HP) measures engine power, typically measured at the crankshaft.
• Torque is the rotational force of the engine, measured in units of distance and force (e.g., lb-ft).
• Displacement is the total volume of all cylinders, measured in liters (L) or cubic centimeters (cc).

Advanced Engine Technologies

• Fuel Injection sprays fuel into cylinders at precise times, improving efficiency and performance.
• Turbocharging uses exhaust gases to drive a turbine, increasing engine power and efficiency.
• Variable Valve Timing adjusts valve timing to improve engine performance and efficiency.