What is an internal combustion engine in a car?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

The internal combustion engine in cars is the most important component. If the internal combustion engine had not been invented, then the automotive industry would most likely have stopped at the wheel and not developed further to modern proportions. The engine has made a real revolution. Let's talk about what an internal combustion engine is, about its history, device and principle of operation.

The first attempts to create a unit similar to an internal combustion engine began in the 18th century. Many inventors from all over the world have been trying for a long time to create a mechanism in which energy from fuel combustion could be converted into mechanical energy.

First engine

The Niepce brothers from France were the first to think about what an internal combustion engine is and how to build it. They invented and assembled a device they called the pyraeolophore. The fuel in this motor was coal dust, but for all its efficiency, this mechanism did not receive much recognition in science and remained only in the form of drawings. "Piraeophorus" had a very imperfect design. Hecharacterized by high operating temperatures and huge fuel consumption with relatively low efficiency. Also, this unit consumed a lot of oil. But even then, this engine was installed on the first, not yet perfect three-wheeled vehicles.

Second attempt

In 1864, Siegfried Markus, who was engaged in various inventions, showed the world the first single-cylinder carburetor engine.

It was powered by the energy of combustion of petroleum products. This ICE was capable of a then significant speed of 10 miles per hour.

Brighton twin-cylinder engine

In 1873, engineer George Brighton, based on existing developments, created a two-cylinder internal combustion engine. At the very beginning, the engine functioned on kerosene, and then it was transferred to gasoline. Among the shortcomings of this device, too large sizes were singled out.

Engine Otto

In 1876, a big step was taken in the history of the internal combustion engine. Nicholas Otto managed to create a technically complex unit that most efficiently converted the energy of combustion of petroleum products into mechanical energy. In 1883, the French engineer Delamare created an engine that could use natural gas as a fuel. However, this invention also did not find a response and exists only on paper in the form of drawings.

Big name in automotive history

In 1815, Gottlieb Daimler thought about what an internal combustion engine is and how it can be used. He not only created an efficient engine, but set up productiona prototype of a modern unit with a vertical arrangement of cylinders and carburetor injection.

This was the first compact mechanism at that time, which then contributed to the development of the automotive industry.

General definitions of ICE

Probably everyone knows what an internal combustion engine is in a car. But the main feature of any internal combustion mechanism is that the fuel mixture is ignited directly in the working chamber, and not in any external media. During the operation of the engine, chemical and thermal energy is released, which is converted into mechanical energy. About what an internal combustion engine is, they talk in a school physics course, and the principle of operation is based on the effect of thermal expansion of gases formed during the combustion of a combustible mixture under pressure in a combustion chamber.

Types of internal combustion engines

It is possible to distinguish piston internal combustion engines. They are the most efficient. This will be confirmed by a person who has the skills to maintain and repair engines - an internal combustion engine driver. What it is? The device of this motor is as follows: the combustion chamber is located inside the cylinder, the thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy using a connecting rod-piston crank mechanism, the energy is transferred to the crankshaft.

There are several types of piston engines. First, we note the carburetor internal combustion engines. Here, the fuel mixture is prepared in the carburetor and then injected into the combustion chamber by an electrical spark. This is a good opportunity to learn what an internal combustion engine is in a car. injectorthe engine supplies the mixture directly to the intake manifold using special nozzles. All processes in such a motor are controlled by electronics. Ignition comes from a candle.

There are also diesel units. Those who did not know what an internal combustion engine is in a car should get to know this type of motor in more detail. Here the fuel mixture is ignited without the use of candles. It ignites due to the compression of air, which as a result is heated to temperatures exceeding the combustion values of the mixture. Fuel is injected using special injectors.

Rotor-piston engine is a rather interesting unit. What is an internal combustion engine in a car of this type? Now such a device is quite rare. In this mechanism, thermal energy from combustion is converted into mechanical energy with the help of working gases that rotate the rotor in the working chamber. The mechanism has a special shape, profile and moves along a "planetary" trajectory directly inside the working chamber. The latter also has a special configuration - "8", and its functions are timing, piston group and crankshaft. Now everyone knows what an internal combustion engine is in a car is almost never used.

There are also gas turbine engines. Here, energy is converted into mechanical energy by rotating the rotor, which causes the turbine shaft to move. In the course of improvements and experiments, scientists and engineers from all over the world have determined that the most efficient, reliable, unpretentious, and also economical in terms of fuel and oil is a piston internal combustion engine.

Other speciesengines, except for the piston, remained far in history. Considering the question of what an internal combustion engine is in a car, it is worth noting that only the Mazda concern now manufactures a rotary piston engine. Chrysler assembled several gas-turbo engines, but that was a long time ago, and none of the serious automakers appreciated these units. In the USSR, gas turbine engines were used on some tanks and warships. However, then the technology was completely abandoned.

How an internal combustion engine works

For those who do not know what an internal combustion engine is, let's consider the device of this mechanism. Several important components are combined in the motor housing at once. This is a cylinder block - a mixture of gasoline and air ignites inside, and then the gases make the pistons move. The crank group transfers energy to the crankshaft.

The timing mechanism serves to ensure the opening or closing of the intake and exhaust valves at the right time. It is needed in order to let the mixture into the cylinders and release the exhaust gases. The internal combustion engine is also equipped with a system for supplying fuel, igniting the mixture and removing exhaust gases.

The principle of operation of the internal combustion engine

Everyone who stacks with a car must know what an internal combustion engine is and how it works. When the owner of the car turns the key in the ignition, the starter turns the crankshaft. The piston is driven by the crankshaft. When it reaches its bottom position, it moves to TDC. Then a mixture of fuel and air is fed into the combustion chamber. Whenthe piston moves up, the mixture is compressed. At the moment when it reaches its upper extreme position, the spark generated by the candles will ignite the combustible mixture. An explosion occurs, and the released gases push the piston back down with great force. At this point, the exhaust valve will open. Through it, hot exhaust gases exit the cylinder into the atmosphere. When the piston passes the bottom dead center again, it will again go to the top. During this time, the crankshaft will make one revolution.

When the piston starts a new movement, the intake valve will open and let the next portion of the combustible mixture into the cylinder. The latter will occupy the entire volume of exhaust gases. The entire process described above will then begin again. Since the work of the piston in these primitive engines is limited to only two strokes, it makes fewer movements than a four-stroke engine. Friction energy losses are also reduced. But during operation, a lot of heat is generated, and such motors heat up more.

Must use engine oil. What it is? It is a special oily liquid made from hydrocarbons that reduces friction in surfaces. In a two-stroke engine, the piston also acts as a timing mechanism, opening and closing valves. The main disadvantage of this system is inefficient gas exchange compared to a four-stroke unit.

Conclusion

This is what an internal combustion engine is in a car. This is the mechanism that drives a heavy car. Today, this is taken for granted, but at one time the internal combustion engine was considered the greatestbreakthrough.