Purpose and device of the internal combustion engine
Purpose and device of the internal combustion engine
Anonim

For more than a hundred years, internal combustion engines have been used as power plants for most machines and mechanisms. At the beginning of the 20th century, they replaced the external combustion steam engine. The internal combustion engine is now the most economical and efficient among other motors. Let's look at the device of the internal combustion engine.

History of Creation

The history of these units began about 300 years ago. It was then that Leonardo Da Vinci developed the first drawing of a primitive engine. The development of this unit gave impetus to the assembly, testing and continuous improvement of the internal combustion engine.

In 1861, according to the drawings that Da Vinci left to the world, they created the first two-stroke engine. At that time, no one thought that all cars and other equipment would be equipped with such installations, although then steam units were used on railway equipment.

Engine device and principle of operation
Engine device and principle of operation

The first to use internal combustion engines in cars,was Henry Ford. He was the first to write a book about the design and operation of the internal combustion engine. Ford was the first to calculate the efficiency of these engines.

Classification of internal combustion engines

In the process of development, the device of the internal combustion engine became more complicated. His purpose, however, remained the same. There are several main types of internal combustion engines that are the most efficient today.

First in terms of efficiency and economy - reciprocating units. In these units, the energy generated from the combustion of the fuel mixture is converted into motion through a system of connecting rods and a crankshaft.

The general arrangement of a carbureted internal combustion engine is no different from other engines. But the combustible mixture is prepared directly in the carburetor. The injection is carried out into a common manifold, from where, under the influence of a vacuum, the mixture enters the cylinders, where it then lights up from an electric discharge on a candle.

An injection engine differs from a carburetor engine in that fuel is supplied to each cylinder directly through separate nozzles. Then, after the gasoline is mixed with air, the fuel is ignited by the spark of a candle.

Diesel engine is different from gasoline. Consider briefly the device of a diesel internal combustion engine. There are no candles used for ignition. This fuel ignites under high pressure. As a result, the diesel engine heats up. The temperature is higher than the combustion temperature. Injection is carried out by means of nozzles.

Rotor-piston engines also belong to internal combustion engines. In these units, thermal energy fromfuel combustion affects the rotor. It has a special shape and a special profile. The trajectory of the rotor movement is planetary (the element is located inside a special chamber). The rotor simultaneously performs a huge number of functions - this is gas distribution, the function of the crankshaft and piston.

Purpose of the internal combustion engine
Purpose of the internal combustion engine

There are also gas turbine internal combustion engines. In these units, thermal energy is converted through a rotor with wedge-shaped blades. These mechanisms then make the turbine spin.

Piston engines are considered the most reliable, low-maintenance and economical. Rotary ones are practically not used in mass automotive technology. Now only the Japanese Mazda produces models of cars equipped with rotary piston engines. Experienced cars with gas turbine engines were produced by Chrysler in the 60s, and after that not a single automaker returned to these installations. In the Soviet Union, some models of tanks and landing ships were equipped with gas-turbine engines for a short time. But then it was decided to abandon such power units. That is why we are considering the device of the internal combustion engine - they are the most popular and efficient.

ICE device

Several systems are combined in the motor housing. This is the cylinder block in which the very combustion chambers are located. In the latter, the fuel mixture burns. Also, the engine consists of a crank mechanism designed to convert the energy of the pistons into rotation of the crankshaft. In the power buildingThe unit also has a gas distribution mechanism. Its task is to ensure the timely opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. The engine will not be able to run without injection, ignition, and exhaust systems.

When starting the power unit, a mixture of fuel and air is supplied to the cylinders through the open intake valves. It is then ignited by an electrical discharge at the spark plug. When the mixture ignites and the gases begin to expand, the pressure on the piston will increase. The latter will be set in motion and cause the crankshaft to rotate.

The design and operation of the internal combustion engine are such that the engine runs in certain cycles. These cycles are constantly repeated at a high frequency. This ensures continuous rotation of the crankshaft.

The principle of operation of two-stroke internal combustion engines

When the engine starts, the piston, which is driven by the rotation of the crankshaft, begins to move. When it reaches its lowest point and starts to move up, fuel is supplied to the cylinder.

When moving up, the piston compresses the mixture. When it reaches top dead center, the spark plug ignites the mixture due to an electrical discharge. The gases instantly expand and push the piston down.

Then, the exhaust valve of the cylinder opens, and the combustion products exit the cylinders into the exhaust system. Then, again reaching the bottom point, the piston will begin to move up. The crankshaft will make one revolution.

Internal combustion engine device
Internal combustion engine device

When the new startspiston movement, the intake valves will open again and the fuel mixture will be supplied. It will take up the entire volume that the combustion products occupied, and the cycle will repeat again. Due to the fact that the pistons in such engines work only in two cycles, fewer movements are made, unlike a four-stroke internal combustion engine. Reduced frictional losses. But these motors get hotter.

In two-stroke power units, the piston also plays the role of a gas distribution mechanism. In the process of movement, openings for the inlet of the fuel mixture and the release of exhaust gases open and close. The worst gas exchange compared to four-stroke engines is the main drawback of such engines. At the time of exhaust gases, power is significantly lost.

Currently, two-stroke engines are used in mopeds, scooters, boats, gasoline saws and other low-power vehicles.

Four-stroke

The device of this type of internal combustion engine is slightly different from the two-stroke. The principle of operation is also slightly different. There are four strokes per crankshaft rotation.

The first step is the supply of a combustible mixture to the engine cylinder. The motor, under the influence of vacuum, sucks the mixture into the cylinder. The piston in the cylinder at this moment goes down. The inlet valve is open and the atomized gasoline and air will enter the combustion chamber.

Next comes the compression stroke. The intake valve closes and the piston moves upward. In this case, the mixture in the cylinder is significantly compressed. Due to pressure, the mixturewarms up. Pressure increases concentration.

Purpose and device of the internal combustion engine
Purpose and device of the internal combustion engine

The third working cycle follows. When the piston almost reaches its top position, the ignition system is activated. A spark jumps on the candle, and the mixture ignites. Due to the instantaneous expansion of the gases and the spread of the energy of the explosion, the piston under pressure moves down. This cycle in the operation of a four-stroke motor is the main one. The other three measures do not affect the creation of the work and are auxiliary.

On the fourth cycle, the release phase begins. When the piston reaches the bottom of the combustion chamber, the exhaust valve opens and the exhaust gases exit first into the exhaust system and then into the atmosphere.

ICE photo
ICE photo

Here is the device and principle of operation of the four-stroke internal combustion engine, which is installed under the hoods of most cars.

Auxiliary systems

We examined the device of the internal combustion engine. But any motor could not work if it were not equipped with additional systems. We will talk about them below.

Ignition

This system is part of the electrical equipment. It is designed to form sparks that ignite the fuel mixture.

Engine device
Engine device

The system includes a battery and a generator, an ignition lock, a coil, and a special device - an ignition distributor.

Intake system

It is necessary in order for the motor to enter without any interruptionsair. Oxygen is needed to form the mixture. By itself, gasoline will not burn. It should be noted that in carburetors the intake is only a filter and air ducts. The intake system of modern cars is more complex. It includes an air intake in the form of pipes, a filter, a throttle valve, and an intake manifold.

Power system

From the principle of the internal combustion engine, we know that the engine needs to burn something. It is gasoline or diesel fuel. The power system provides fuel supply during engine operation.

Internal combustion engine
Internal combustion engine

In the most primitive case, this system consists of a tank, as well as a fuel line, filter and pump, which provide fuel to the carburetor. In injection cars, the power system is controlled by the ECU.

Lubrication system

The lubrication system includes an oil pump, a sump, an oil filter. Diesel and powerful gasoline power units also have a cooler to clean the lubricant. The pump is driven by the crankshaft.

Conclusion

This is what an internal combustion engine is. We examined the device and the principle of its operation, and now it is clear how a car, a chainsaw or a diesel generator works.

Recommended: