Internal combustion engines

This power unit is the most commonly used today. It began its life as a single-cylinder two-stroke engine in the 19th century and has evolved into various configurations. Manufacturers continue to improve this type of engine to increase power and efficiency to compete with hybrid and electric installations.

ICEs generate power by burning fuel in a controlled chamber. The power is then transmitted to the wheels through a transmission. This is a brief description of the operation of any gasoline or diesel engine.

Among the three types of automobile engines listed above, this is the only type that uses exclusively fossil fuels – oil. This can be gasoline, gas, or diesel, depending on the type of combustion. This brings us to the two main types of internal combustion engines.

Gasoline engines

The roaring sound you often hear in supercars comes from these engines, albeit with some modifications. Most cars with internal combustion engines are equipped with them.

This type of engine has cylinders or combustion chambers where the air-fuel reaction takes place. Injectors (or a carburetor in older engines) supply fuel to the chamber, and intake valves allow a certain amount of air to mix with the fuel.

The spark plug then ignites the mixture, causing it to burn. This reaction releases enormous energy that pushes the piston in the chamber downward. This action turns the flywheel through the connection to the crankshaft and then transmits the torque to the wheels.

Engines with an ignition system

At this point we have to list the components for clarity and easy distinction from other types of automotive engines. The components are as follows:

• Cylinders: The fuel combustion process takes place in these chambers
• Intake valves: Let air into the combustion chamber
• Injectors or carburetors: Inject metered fuel into the chamber
• Spark plugs: Ignite the fuel-air mixture
• Exhaust valves: Remove the burnt mixture
• Pistons: Transfer downwardly directed energy to the crankshaft
• Crankshaft: Converts the vertical motion of the pistons into a circular motion.
• Flywheel: Transfers power from the engine and connects to the transmission.
• The main component of engines with an ignition system is the spark plug. Without it, there is no combustion and no power generation.

These powerplants use a lighter form of oil, gasoline, to create the necessary power. As a result, they burn faster and require more frequent refueling. Now let’s see how things are going with the diesel analog.

Compression-ignition engines

This type is similar to a spark ignition engine. It uses a combustion chamber and all other components, but no spark plugs.

The process of igniting the fuel here is due to a combination of heat, air and pressure. As soon as the pressure from the piston reaches a predetermined value, the fuel-air mixture ignites.