Mechanical engineeringLesson 2 of 4 in the course Fluid and thermal machines

Internal Combustion Engines: Operation, Systems, and Trade-offs

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson introduces the defining features, energy transformations, historical development, and broad categories of internal combustion engines (ICEs).

An internal combustion engine burns fuel with an oxidizer—usually oxygen in air—inside a combustion chamber that is part of the engine's working-fluid circuit. The resulting hot, high-pressure gases expand and exert force directly on engine components.

All flashcards

What distinguishes an internal combustion engine from an external combustion engine?
An internal combustion engine burns fuel within its working-fluid circuit; an external combustion engine transfers heat from fuel burned outside that fluid.
How does compression ignition work in a typical diesel engine?
The engine compresses air until it is hot, then injected fuel ignites in that air without a spark plug.
What is compression ratio?
The cylinder volume at bottom dead center divided by its volume at top dead center.
What is a parasitic load in an engine?
A load, such as an oil pump, that consumes power otherwise available for useful output.
What is thermal efficiency?
The fraction of supplied fuel energy converted into useful work.

Quiz questions

  1. How many crankshaft revolutions does a four-stroke engine require to complete one cycle?Answer: Two revolutions
  2. Which component drives a turbocharger's compressor?Answer: A turbine powered by exhaust gases
  3. In a spark-ignition engine, what ignites the compressed air–fuel charge?Answer: An electrical spark from a spark plug
  4. What is the function of a water jacket in a liquid-cooled engine?Answer: It provides passages for coolant around engine parts.
  5. What occurs during the power stroke of a four-stroke engine?Answer: Expanding combustion gases push the piston downward.

Based on the Wikipedia article Internal combustion engine, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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