Internal Combustion Engines: Basics and Types

Overview

• An internal combustion engine is a type of engine that generates power by burning fuel, typically gasoline or diesel, inside a combustion chamber within the engine.
• It is a key component of most modern vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Basic Components

• Cylinders: Chambers where the fuel is burned and the power is generated.
• Pistons: Moving parts that reciprocate in the cylinders, driven by the explosive force of combustion.
• Crankshaft: Converts the up-and-down motion of the pistons into rotary motion.
• Camshaft: Operates the valves that allow air and fuel into the cylinders and exhaust gases out of the cylinders.
• Valves: Control the flow of air and fuel into the cylinders and exhaust gases out of the cylinders.

Four-Stroke Cycle

• Intake stroke: Air and fuel are drawn into the cylinder through the intake valve.
• Compression stroke: The intake valve closes, and the air-fuel mixture is compressed by the piston.
• Power stroke: The spark plug ignites the air-fuel mixture, causing the piston to move downward.
• Exhaust stroke: The exhaust valve opens, and the piston pushes the exhaust gases out of the cylinder.

Types of Internal Combustion Engines

• Spark Ignition Engine: Uses a spark plug to ignite the air-fuel mixture, commonly used in gasoline-powered vehicles.
• Compression Ignition Engine: Uses the heat generated by compressing air to ignite the fuel, commonly used in diesel-powered vehicles.
• Rotary Engine: Uses a rotary design instead of traditional pistons and cylinders, commonly used in some sports cars.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

• High power-to-weight ratio
• Low cost
• Wide range of fuel options

Disadvantages:

• Low efficiency
• High emissions
• Noise and vibration