Purpose and classification of internal combustion engines
As you know, to date, there are many different types of internal combustion engines. These types of power units are a source of energy for vehicles, mechanisms and units, and also differ in productivity, construction, by appointment, etc..
In our previous articles, we have already considered all kinds of engines, which are installed on the car. Next we intend to talk about it, what is the classification of internal combustion engines.
General classification of engines
Let's start with that, that internal combustion engines are classified according to a number of features and characteristics. First of all, power plants differ in their purpose. ICE are:
- stationary type;
- engines on transport;
The first are widely used as a drive mechanism for various pumps, generators, etc. The second type can be found in cars, motorcycles, courts, aircraft, trains and other types of air, land and water vehicles. Note, that this classification does not affect reactive, hydrogen and rocket engines, extending to mass units.
Power plants also differ in the type of fuel used. Engines can run on:
- liquid and light fuel (gasoline, diesel fuel, alcohol);
- liquid heavy fuel (fuel oil, diesel oil, gas oil)
- gas fuel;
- use combined type fuel, when the engine uses both liquid fuel and gas (example, gas);
- several types of fuel are used for multi-fuel internal combustion engines (the unit works as on gasoline, and on kerosene, etc.);
Also, internal combustion engines can be divided by volume, how the conversion of thermal energy as a result of fuel combustion into mechanical useful work is realized. Engines happen:
- piston internal combustion engines (combustion and conversion of thermal energy into mechanical work occurs in the engine cylinder;
- gas turbine engines (in such engines the fuel burns in a special combustion chamber, after the thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy on the turbine wheel blades;
- combined type engines, in which fuel burns in the cylinders of the piston engine, such an engine is a gas generator. This means, that thermal energy is only partially converted into mechanical energy in the cylinder, as well as partial conversion occurs on the blades of the turbine wheel (example, turbo piston engine).
Even internal combustion engines differ in the method of mixture formation. Power units are:
- motors with external mixing (the working mixture is not formed in the cylinder). If simple, these are carburetor petrol and gas engines, as well as injector engines with fuel injection into the intake manifold.
- installations with internal mixing (air is supplied to the cylinder separately at the intake stroke, then fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber, and the working mixture is formed in the cylinder). This mixture formation occurs in diesel engines, in gasoline installations with a spark ignition system and gas engines, where the supply of fuel to the cylinder before compression.
Engines are also classified according to the method of ignition of the working fuel-air mixture. The mixture can engage:
- from an external source, which is an electric spark on the spark plug;
- from compression, where the mixture ignites from high temperatures during strong compression of air and fuel in the cylinder (example, diesel engine);
- units with pre-chamber and torch ignition. Such pre-chamber engines have two combustion chambers. In the first (small) the chamber mixture ignites by a spark, then further ignition of the main charge in the main (large) the chamber is due to the spread of the flame front from the small chamber.
- engines, operating on the principle of primary supply of a small amount of liquid fuel (self-ignites from compression), as a result it is possible to set fire to the main charge, which consists of gaseous fuel (gas diesel engine).
Let's add, that piston engines are also divided according to the method of operating cycle. Motors are 2- and 4-stroke. Power units can be atmospheric (air intake occurs due to rarefaction in the cylinders) and supercharged, when air is forced under pressure.
As for the boost, engines are compressor and turbocharged, and can have both solutions at once. Turbocharged engines receive a gas turbine, which works due to the influence of exhaust gases.
Units with a mechanical compressor are structurally equipped with the device, which is driven by the engine, taking away some of his energy. The combined type provides, that the engine has a turbocharger, and a mechanical supercharger.
We should also mention the differences in the method of regulating the fuel supply to the cylinders when the load changes. There are engines with adjustable mixture by:
- quality;
- quantity;
- mixed type;
In the first case it is a question of change of structure of mix taking into account loadings and operating modes of the internal combustion engine. In the second case, the composition does not change, only more or less is served. In engines with mixed control varies as the composition of the mixture, and quantity, depending on the loads on the unit.
It is also necessary to mention the differences between the motors in the method of cooling. Engines come with liquid cooling, air cooling and combined cooling. The lubrication system also deserves special attention. Example, in two-stroke engines, the oil burns directly in the cylinders, whereas in four-stroke engines the oil practically does not get to the combustion chamber.
Finally, note, that the classification of automobile engines affects reciprocating internal combustion engines (petrol, diesel and gas), carburetor and injector, with external mixing or direct fuel injection, with ignition from a spark or with ignition from compression.
Gas turbines can also be found on some cars, pre-chamber or rotary-piston engines, however, today such units cannot be called mass in relation to the automotive industry.
The main design differences of the internal combustion engine
If we talk about the main differences in the design of reciprocating engines, different power units are divided into horizontal and vertical rows according to the location of the cylinders. Engines are also V-shaped, opposites, etc..
More units are single-piston engines, when one cylinder has one piston and a working cavity. At the same time there are also internal combustion engines, in which the pistons move opposite in one cylinder, and the working cavity is located between the two pistons. There are also double-acting motors, in which on both sides of the piston there are working cavities.
Rotary-piston engines are also worth mentioning (Wankel engine), which also have a different design. The most common option is this, where the rotor, which is the piston, moving (planetary motion) in the case. During this movement, combustion chambers with variable displacement are formed between the rotor and the walls of the motor housing..We also recommend reading a separate article about it, what are the types and types of internal combustion engines. In this article you will learn about the different types of existing internal combustion engines, as well as their differences.
There are variants of the rotary engine, where the piston-rotor does NOT move, and planetary motion makes the hull. Another variety can be considered units, in which it moves like a hull, and the rotor itself.
As a result
so, the purpose and classification of internal combustion engines were considered above. This information clearly demonstrates the widest range of applications of reciprocating internal combustion engines.
As you can see, engines can have different designs, use different types of fuel, and also have different lubrication systems, fuel supply, cooling and ignition.We also recommend reading the article about it, how the internal combustion engine is arranged and works. In this article you will learn about the principles of operation and the scheme of the device of heat engines of this type.
Taking into account certain features of a particular type of internal combustion engine, such units are used as vehicles, and as generators, drive devices of various units and mechanisms.
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