Internal Combustion

Engine
Definition of IC Engine:

An Internal Combustion (IC) Engine is a type of heat engine in which the combustion of fuel takes
place inside the engine cylinder itself. It is generally a reciprocating engine having pistons that move
back and forth within the cylinders. The high-pressure gases produced from combustion act directly on the
piston, thereby converting the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical energy.

Classification of IC Engines:

1. Based on Type of Fuel Used

o Petrol (Gasoline) Engine – uses petrol with spark ignition.
o Diesel Engine – uses diesel with compression ignition.
o Gas Engine – uses natural gas, LPG, CNG, biogas, etc.
o Dual-fuel Engine – uses a combination of fuels (e.g., diesel + gas).
2. Based on Method of Ignition
o Spark Ignition (SI) Engine – ignition by a spark plug (e.g., petrol engine).
o Compression Ignition (CI) Engine – ignition by high compression (e.g., diesel engine).
3. Based on Thermodynamic Cycle
o Otto Cycle Engine – constant volume heat addition (petrol engines).
o Diesel Cycle Engine – constant pressure heat addition (diesel engines).
o Dual Cycle Engine – combination of Otto and Diesel cycles.
4. Based on Number of Strokes per Cycle
o Two-Stroke Engine – power obtained every revolution of crankshaft.
o Four-Stroke Engine – power obtained every two revolutions of crankshaft.
5. Based on Cooling Method
o Air Cooled Engine – cooling by air circulation (motorcycles).
o Water Cooled Engine – cooling by circulating water (cars, trucks).
Diagram of IC engine:
Main Components of an Internal Combustion (IC) Engine

1. Cylinder – Provides the space for piston movement and combustion.

2. Cylinder Head – Closes the top of the cylinder, houses valves, spark plug/injector.
3. Piston – Moves up and down inside the cylinder due to gas pressure.
4. Piston Rings – Seal the gap between piston and cylinder wall, prevent leakage.
5. Connecting Rod – Connects piston to crankshaft, transmits force.
6. Crankshaft – Converts reciprocating motion of piston into rotary motion.
7. Crankcase – Encloses crankshaft and connecting rods, holds lubricating oil.
8. Inlet Valve – Allows fresh air-fuel mixture (SI) or air (CI) into cylinder.
9. Exhaust Valve – Releases burnt gases after combustion.
10. Spark Plug – Produces spark to ignite the mixture (only in SI engines).
11. Fuel Injector – Sprays fuel at high pressure (only in CI engines).
12. Camshaft – Operates the valves in correct timing.
13. Camshaft Drive (Timing Belt/Chain/Gear) – Transfers motion from crankshaft to camshaft.
14. Flywheel – Stores energy, maintains uniform speed of crankshaft.
15. Gudgeon Pin (Wrist Pin) – Connects piston to connecting rod.
16. Cooling System (Jackets/Fins/Radiator) – Removes excess heat from engine.
17. Lubrication System (Oil Pump, Oil Sump) – Reduces friction and wear of moving parts.
18. Manifolds (Inlet & Exhaust) – Inlet manifold supplies mixture/air; exhaust manifold collects burnt
gases.
19. Governor – Controls engine speed by regulating fuel supply (in older engines).
20. Silencer (Muffler) – Reduces exhaust noise.
Functions of IC Engine Components

1. Flywheel
o Stores rotational energy.
o Maintains uniform crankshaft speed by balancing power strokes and idle strokes.
o Helps in smooth engine operation.
2. Crankcase
o Houses and supports the crankshaft, connecting rods, and bearings.
o Serves as an oil reservoir for lubrication.
o Protects internal components from dust and damage.
3. Crankshaft
o Converts the reciprocating motion of the piston into rotary motion.
o Transmits power to the vehicle drivetrain or machinery.
o Balances dynamic forces with counterweights.
4. Piston Rings
o Provide a gas-tight seal between piston and cylinder wall.
o Prevent leakage of combustion gases into the crankcase.
o Control lubricating oil consumption.
5. Connecting Rod
o Connects piston to crankshaft.
o Transmits force from piston to crankshaft.
o Converts reciprocating motion into rotary motion.
6. Piston
o Moves up and down inside the cylinder due to gas pressure.
o Compresses air-fuel mixture/air during compression stroke.
o Transmits combustion force to connecting rod.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Four Stroke Engine cycle

Advantages:

 High volumetric efficiency over a wide engine speed range

 Low sensitivity to pressure losses in the exhaust system
 Effective control of the charging efficiency through appropriate valve timing and intake system design

Disadvantages:

 High complexity of the valve control

 Reduced power density because the work is generated only every second shaft rotation

Advantages & Disadvantages of Two Stroke Engine cycle

Advantages:

 Very simple and cheap engine design

 Low weight
 Low manufacturing cost
 Better torsional forces pattern

Disadvantages:

 Higher fuel consumption

 Higher HC emissions because of a problematic cylinder scavenging
 Lower mean effective pressure because of poorer volumetric efficiency
 Higher thermal load
 Poor idle because of high residual gas percentage into the cylinder

Comparison of Two-Stroke vs. Four-Stroke Cycle Engines

 Comparison between Spark Ignition (SI) and Compression Ignition (CI) Engines
OR
Otto Cycle Engine and Diesel Cycle Engine

Comparison between Air Cooled and Water Cooled Engines

Air-Cooled Engine Water-Cooled Engine

1 Uses air directly Uses water (or coolant)
2 Fins provided on cylinder & head to increase heat Fins provided on cylinder & head to increase heat
dissipation dissipation
3 Cheaper More expensive
4 Low maintenance Requires regular coolant & radiator maintenance
5 Less effective, depends on airflow More effective and uniform
6 Less durable under heavy load More durable under heavy load

Differentiate supercharging and turbocharging in I.C. engine

Aspect Supercharging Engine Turbocharging Engine

Power Source Driven mechanically by the engine Driven by exhaust gases from the engine.
crankshaft (via belt, gear, or chain).
Energy Utilization Consumes part of engine power to
Utilizes otherwise wasted exhaust energy.
operate
Efficiency Lower efficiency (since it takes engine Higher efficiency (uses waste exhaust
power). energy).
Engine Performance Improves low-speed torque and Improves high-speed power and overall
acceleration fuel efficiency.
Boost at Low Speed Provides instant boost, effective even at Lag at low speed (called turbo lag) before
low RPM boost builds up
Complexity Simple in design and control More complex, needs intercoolers, waste
gates, etc.
 Supercharged engine
Definition:
A supercharged engine is an internal combustion engine that uses a supercharger to compress the air
entering the cylinders. The supercharger is mechanically driven by the engine’s crankshaft (via belt, chain,
or gears). This compressed air carries more oxygen, allowing more fuel to burn, which produces instant
extra power.
Block Diagram of Supercharged engine

Advantages of a Supercharged Engine

 Instant Power – No turbo lag; boost is available immediately.

 Simple Design – Easier to install and operate compared to a turbocharger.

 Strong Low-RPM Performance – Provides power even at lower engine speeds.

 Great for Racing/Heavy Duty – Common in drag racing, sports cars, and trucks that need high
torque.

Disadvantages of a Supercharged Engine

 Less Fuel Efficient – Consumes more fuel because it takes power directly from the engine.

 Parasitic Power Loss – Part of the engine’s own power is used to drive the supercharger.

 Higher Engine Stress – Increases heat and pressure, which can wear out the engine faster.

 Lower Efficiency than Turbo – Uses engine power instead of waste exhaust energy.
 Turbocharged engine

Definition: A turbocharged engine is an internal combustion engine equipped with a turbocharger, a device
that uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine connected to a compressor. This compressor forces more air into the
combustion chamber, allowing more fuel to burn and producing more power without increasing the engine’s
size.
Block Diagram of Turbocharged engine

Advantages and Disadvantages of a turbocharged engine:

Advantages:

 More Power from Smaller Engines – Boosts horsepower and torque without increasing engine size.

 Better Fuel Efficiency – Uses exhaust gases (waste energy) to create power, so less fuel is needed for
the same output.

 Lower Emissions – More efficient combustion can reduce CO₂ emissions.

 Lightweight Performance – Smaller turbo engines can match the power of larger naturally aspirated
engines, reducing overall vehicle weight.

Disadvantages:

 Turbo Lag – Small delay before the turbo “kicks in” and delivers full power.

 Higher Maintenance Cost – More complex design, with parts like turbines and intercoolers that can
be costly to repair.

 Extra Heat – Turbos run at very high temperatures, which can strain the engine and require better
cooling.

 Potential Reliability Issues – Poor maintenance, wrong oil, or overheating can damage the turbo.