Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

I.C. Engines
Heat engines are otherwise called Thermal Engines. It is a machine which converts heat energy in to
useful mechanical work. Heat engines develop more than 80% the energy generated in the world.
Heat engines can be broadly classified into two categories
(i) External combustion engine: An engine in which combustion of fuel takes place outside the engine
cylinder is called external combustion engine. These engines are generally called EC engines.
Ex: Steam engines, steam turbines, closed cycle gas turbine etc.
(ii) Internal combustion engine: An engine in which combustion of fuel takes place inside the engine
cylinder is called internal combustion engine. These engines are generally called IC engines.
Ex: Petrol engine, diesel engine, gas engine etc.

The following are the most important ways of classification of I.C. engines:
(i) According to the type of fuel used
(a) Petrol engines: In this type of engines, the fuel used is petrol.
(b) Diesel engines: In this type of engines, the fuel used is diesel.
(c) Gas engines: In this type of engines, the gaseous fuels like natural gas, biogas, are used.
(d) Bi-fuel engines: These engines use a mixture of two fuels.

(ii) According to the number of strokes per cycle

(a) 4-stroke engine: In this type of engines, the working cycle is completed in four different
strokes.
(b) 2-stroke engine: In this type of engines, the working cycle is completed in two different
strokes.
(iii) According to the method of ignition
(a) Spark ignition engine (S.I.Engine): In this type of engines, fuel is ignited by an electric spark
generated by a spark plug.
(b) Compression ignition engine (C.I. Engine): In this type of engines, the fuel gets ignited as it
comes in contact with the hot compressed air.
(iv) According to the cycle of combustion
(a) Otto cycle engine: In this type of engines, combustion of fuel takes place at constant volume
(b) Diesel cycle engine: In this type of engines, combustion of fuel takes place at constant
pressure
(c) Duel combustion engine: In this type of engines, combustion of fuel first takes place at
constant volume and then at constant pressure.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

(v) According to the number of cylinders

(a) Single cylinder engine: This type of engines consists of only one cylinder.
(b) Multi cylinder engine: This type of engines consists of 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 cylinders

(vi) According to the arrangement of cylinders

(a) Vertical engine: In this type of engines, the cylinder is arranged in a vertical position

(b) Horizontal engine: In this type of engines, cylinder is arranged in horizontal position.
(c) Inline engine: In this type of engines, cylinders are arranged in line

(d) Radial engine: In this type of engines, cylinders are arranged along the circumference of a
circle.
(e) V-engine: In this type of engines, combination of two inline engines equally set an angle.
(vii) According to the method of cooling
(a) Air cooled engine: In this type of engines, the heated cylinder walls are cooled by
continuous flow of air
(b) Water cooled engine: In this type of engines, water is used for cooling the heated cylinder
walls.

Principal parts of an I.C. Engine

Figure.1 shows the principal parts of an I.e. engine. The details regarding the various parts of
the engine are described below.

1. Cylinder: It is the cylindrical vessel in which the fuel is burnt and the power is developed. It is
considered as heart of the engine. The primary functions of cylinder is
1. To contain the working fluid under pressure and
2. To guide the piston while reciprocating inside the cylinder.

2. Cylinder head: The top end of the cylinder is closed by a removable cylinder head. The cylinder
head consists of two valves 'inlet valve' and 'exhaust valve'.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

Figure.1: Principal parts of l.C. Engine

3. Piston Rings: The rings which are placed in the grooves cut towards top of the piston are called
Piston Rings. There are two set of rings inserted into the groves. They are compression rings and
oil rings.

 Compression rings: The compression rings press hard with the cylinder walls forming a tight
seal between the piston and the cylinder. This prevents escaping of the high pressure gases into
the crankcase.

 Oil rings: The function of oil rings is to extract the lubricating oil from the cylinder walls and
send it back to oil sump through the holes provided on the piston.

4. Connecting rod: The connecting rod is a link that connects the piston and the crankshaft. Its
function is to convert the reciprocating motion of the piston into rotary motion of the crankshaft.

5. Crank: The crank is a lever with one of its end connected to the connecting rod by a pin joint with
other end connected rigidly to the crankshaft. The other end of the crank is connected to the
crankshaft. The power required for any useful purpose is taken from the crankshaft.
6. Crank case: It encloses the crankshaft and serves as a sump for the lubricating oil.

7. Valves: The valves are control devices that allow the air/fuel to enter into the cylinder and also to

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

discharge the burnt gases to atmosphere. There are two valves.

(1) Inlet valve and (2) Exhaust valve

'Inlet valve is the one through which fresh charge (air and fuel or air) enters into the
cylinder.
'Exhaust valve through which the burnt gases are discharged out of the cylinder.
These valves are actuated by means of cams.

9. Cams: It is an element designed to control the movement of both the inlet and exhaust valves.

10. Flywheel: It is a heavy mass of rotating wheel mounted on the crankshaft and is used as an energy
storing device. The flywheel stores energy received during the power stroke and supplies the same
during other strokes.

I.C. Engine Terminology

Figure.2 shows the details regarding the terms used in I.C. engines.

Fig 2. I.C.Engine Terminology

1.Bore: The inside diameter of the cylinder is called 'bore'.

2.Top dead center (TDC): The extreme position of the piston near to the cylinder head is called 'top
dead center' or 'TDC'.

3.Bottom dead center (BDC): The extreme position of the piston nearer to the crankshaft is called
'bottom dead center' or 'BDC'.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

4. Stroke: It is the linear distance travelled by the piston from the TDC to BDC or BDC to TDC.

5. Clearance volume (Vc): It is the volume of cylinder above the top of the piston, when the piston is at the
TDC.

6. Swept volume or Stroke volume (Vs): It is the volume swept by the piston as it moves from BOC to
TDC or TOC to BDC.

7. Compression ratio: (RC): The ratio of the total cylinder volume to the clearance volume is called
Compression ratio.
Total cylinder volume = Stroke volume (V s) + Clearance volume (V e)
R = Vs+VC
Vc
8. Piston Speed: The average speed of the piston is called ‘piston speed’.
Piston speed = 2.L.N where L = Stroke length in m
N = Speed of engine in RPM.

FOUR-STROKE ENGINES

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

In 4-stroke engines, piston performs four different strokes to complete all the operations of the working
cycle. The four different strokes performed are,
1. Suction stroke
2. Compression stroke
3. Power stroke (Expansion stroke or Working stroke)
4. Exhaust stroke

Each stroke is completed when the crankshaft rotates by 180°. Hence in a 4-stroke engines, four
different strokes are completed through 720° of the crankshaft rotation or 2 revolutions of the
crankshaft based on the type of fuel used.

Note: In 4 Stroke engines, opening and closing of valves during different strokes with respect to piston
position and the rotation of crank is given in the table below.

Position of the
Stroke piston Inlet valve Exhaust valve Crank rotation
Initial Final
Suction TOC BOC Open Close 00 - 1800
Compression BDC TDC Close Close 1800 - 3600
Power TOC BDC Close Close 3600 - 5400
Exhaust BDC TDC Close Open 5400 -7200

4 -stroke engines are classified as.

1) 4 - Stroke Petrol Engine and
2) 4 - Stroke Diesel Engine

4-Stroke Petrol Engine

The working principle of a 4-Stroke Petrol engine is based on theoretical Otto cycle. Hence it is also
known as Otto cycle engine.

A 4 - Stroke petrol engine performs four different strokes to complete one cycle. The working of
each stroke is shown in the figure.3 and its details are discussed below.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

Fig. 3 Working of a 4-Stroke Petrol Engine

(a) Suction stroke:

At the beginning of the stroke, piston is in TDC and during the stroke, the piston moves from TDC to BDC.
The inlet valve opens and the exhaust valve will be closed. As the piston moves downwards, suction is
created in the cylinder as a result, fresh air-petrol mixture (charge) is drawn into the cylinder through the
inlet valve. As the piston reaches BDC, the suction stroke completes and inlet valve closes. The suction
stroke is represented by the line AB on P- V diagram as shown in the figure.4.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

Fig.4 Theoretical Otto Cycle (P-V Diagram)

(b) Compression stroke:

At the beginning of the stroke piston is in BDC and during the stroke the piston moves from BDC to TDC.
Both inlet and exhaust valves are closed. As the piston moves upwards, the air -petrol mixture in the cylinder
is compressed adiabatically. The pressure and temperature of the charge increases and this is shown by the
curve BC on the P- V diagram. When the piston reaches the TDC, the spark plug ignites the charge. The
combustion of the fuel takes place at the constant volume and is shown by a line CD on the P- V diagram.
The compression ratio in petrol engines ranges from 7:1 to 11:1.

(c) Power stroke/Expansion stroke/working stroke

At the beginning of the stroke, piston is in TDC and during the stroke piston moves from TDC to BDC. Both
inlet and exhaust valves remain closed. The combustion of fuel liberates gases and these gases starts
expanding. Due to expansion, the hot gases exert a large force on the piston and as a result the piston is
pushed from TDC to BDC. The power impulse is transmitted down through the piston to the crank shaft
through the connecting rod. This causes crankshaft to rotate at high speeds. Thus work is obtained in this
stroke. Hence, this stroke is also called working stroke. Also gas expands and does work on the piston so this
stroke is also called an expansion stroke.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

The expansion of gases is adiabatic in nature and this is shown by the curve DE on P- V diagram. As the
piston reaches the BDC, the exhaust valve opens. A part of the burnt gases escape through the exhaust valve
out of the cylinder due to their own expansion.
(d) Exhaust stroke:
At the beginning of the stroke piston is in BDC and during the stroke the piston moves from BDC to
TDC. The inlet valve is closed and exhaust valve is opened. As the piston moves upward, it forces the
remaining burnt gases out of the cylinder to the atmosphere through the exhaust valve. This is shown by
the line EB and SA on P- V diagram. When the piston reaches the TDC, the exhaust valve closes and
this completes the cycle.
In the next cycle the piston which is at TDC moves to BDC thereby allowing fresh charge to enter the
cylinder and the process continues. The working principle of a 4-stroke diesel engine is based on
theoretical diesel cycle. Hence it is also called diesel cycle engine.
A 4-stroke diesel engine performs four different strokes to complete one cycle of operation. The 4
different strokes are
1. Suction Stroke
2. Compression Stroke
3. Power Stroke (Expansion Stroke or Working Stroke)
4. Exhaust Stroke
~
The details regarding the working of each stroke is shown in the figure.5. The theoretical diesel
cycle is shown on P- V diagram in the figure 6.
The details regarding the working of each stroke are discussed below.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

Fig.5 Working of 4-Stroke Diesel Engine

(a) Suction stroke:

At the beginning of the stroke piston is in TOC and during the stroke, piston moves from TDC. to BDC.
The inlet valve opens and the exhaust valve will be closed. The downward movement of the piston creates
suction in the cylinder and as a result, fresh air is drawn into the cylinder through the inlet valve. When
the piston reaches the BDC, the suction stroke completes and this is represented by the line AS on P-V
diagram as shown in the figure.6.

Fig 6. Theoretical Diesel Cycle (P V diagram)

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

(b) Compression stroke

At the beginning of the stroke piston is in BDC and during the stroke piston moves from BDC to TDC.
Both inlet and the exhaust valves are closed. As the piston moves upwards, air in the cylinder is
compressed to a high pressure and temperature. The compression process is adiabatic in nature and is
shown by the curve BC in P-V diagram. At the end of the stroke, the fuel (diesel) is sprayed into the
cylinder by fuel injector. As the fuel comes in contact with the hot compressed air, it gets ignited and
undergoes combustion at constant pressure. This process is shown by the line CD on PV diagram. At the
point D fuel supply is cutoff. The compression ratio ranges from 16:1 to 20:1.

(c) Power stroke / Expansion stroke/ Working stroke

At the beginning of this stroke, piston is in TDC and during the stroke, piston moves from TDC to BDC.
Both inlet and the exhaust valve remain closed. As combustion of fuel takes place, the burnt gases
expand and exert a large force on the piston. Due to this, piston is pushed from TDC the BDC. The
power impulse is transmitted down through the piston to the crank shaft through the connecting rod. This
causes the crankshaft to rotate at high speeds. Thus work is obtained in this stroke.
The expansion of gases is adiabatic in nature and this is shown by the curve DE on P- V diagram. When
the piston reaches the BDC, the exhaust valve opens. A part of burnt gases escapes through the exhaust
valve out of the cylinder due to self expansion. The drop in pressure at constant volume is shown by the
line EB on P- V diagram.

(d) Exhaust stroke

At the beginning of the stroke piston is in BDC and during this stroke, piston moves from BDC to TDC.
The inlet valve is closed and the exhaust valve is opened. As the piston moves upward, it forces the
remaining burnt gases out of the cylinder through the exhaust valve. This is shown by the line SA on P-
V diagram. When the piston reaches the TDC the exhaust valve closes. This completes the cycle.

In the next cycle the piston which is at the TDC moves to BDC thereby allowing fresh air to enter into
the cylinder and the process continues.

TWO STROKE ENGINES

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

In a 2-stroke engine, ports are present in the cylinder in place of valves. The ports are the openings in the
cylinder opened and closed by the movement of piston within the cylinder. There are three ports, namely
1. Inlet port: Through which admitting of charge into the crankcase takes place.
1. Transfer port: Through which the charge is transferred from the crankcase to the cylinder.
2. Exhaust port: Through which the burnt gases are discharged out of the cylinder.

In a 2 - stroke engine, piston performs two different strokes or crankshaft completes one revolution to
complete all the operations of the working cycle.
In these engines there are no suction and exhaust strokes, instead they are performed while the
compression and power strokes are in progress. Based on the type of fuel used, 2-stroke engines are
classified as

2-Stroke Petrol Engine:

2-Stroke petrol engine works on the principle of theoretical Otto cycle. The two different strokes
performed are first stroke (downward stroke) and second stroke (upward stroke).
The details regarding the working of each stroke is shown in the figure.7 are discussed as below.

Note: The table below shows an opening and closing of the different ports with respect to the
position of the piston within the cylinder.

Position of the piston Inlet port Exhaust port Transfer port

In TDC Opens Closes Closes
In BDC Closes Opens Opens

1. FIRST STROKE (DOWNWARD STROKE)

At the beginning of this stroke, the piston is in the TDC as shown in the figure (a). At this
position, inlet port is opened and hence fresh air petrol mixture enters into the crank case. At this
position, compressed air-petrol mixture present in the cylinder in the previous cycle is ignited by
the spark generated by the spark plug. The combustion of fuel releases hot gases which increases
the pressure in the cylinder. The high pressure gases exert a pressure on the piston and hence the
piston moves from TDC to BDC. Thus piston performs power stroke. The power impulse is
transmitted from the piston to the crankshaft through the connecting rod. This causes the
crankshaft to rotate at high speeds. Thus work is obtained in this stroke.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

As the piston moves downwards, it uncovers the exhaust port and hence burnt gases escape
out of the cylinder as shown in the figure (b). As piston moves downwards further, opens the
transfer port and the charge in the crank case is compressed by the underside of the piston as
shown in figure. (b). The compressed charge from the crankcase rushes into the cylinder through
the transfer port as shown in fig. (c). The charge entering the cylinder drives away the remaining
exhaust gases through the exhaust port.
The process of removing the exhaust gases with the help of fresh charge is known as
scavenging. The piston is provided with a projection at its top known as 'deflector'. The purpose
of providing a deflector is to deflect the fresh charge coming through the transfer port to move
towards the top end of the cylinder. By doing this, the fresh charge will be able to drive the entire
burnt gases out of the cylinder.

2. SECOND STROKE (UPWARD STROKE)

At the beginning of the stroke, piston is in BDC and it covers the inlet port as shown in the figure
(c) and stops the flow of fresh charge into the crankcase. During the stroke, piston

ascends and move towards TDC. As the piston moves upwards, it closes the transfer port, there
by stopping the flow of fresh charge into the cylinder as shown in figure (d).

Further upward movement of the piston closes the exhaust port and actual compression of the
charge begins. In the mean time, the inlet port is opened and the upward movement of piston
creates suction in the crankcase. Fresh charge enters into the crankcase through the inlet port as
shown in figure (a). The compression of the charge in the cylinder continues till the piston
reaches the TDC. This completes the cycle.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

Fig 7. Working of a 2-Stroke Petrol Engine

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

Comparision between PETROL engine and DIESEL engine

SI.
Petrol Engine (SI Engine) Diesel Engine (CI Engine)
No

1. Draws a mixture of petrol and air during suction stroke Draws only air during suction stroke.

The carburetor is employed to mix air and petrol in the The injector is employed to inject the fuel at the end of
2.
required proportion and to supply it to the engine during compression stroke.

suction stroke.

3. Compression ratio ranges from 7: 1 to 12:1 Compression ratio ranges from 18:1 to 22:1

The ignition of the diesel is accomplished by the

The charge (Le petrol and air mixture) is ignited with the compressed air which will have been heated due to high
4. help of spark plug. This type of ignition is called spark compression ratio, to the temperature higher than the
ignition ignition temperature of the diesel. This type of ignition is
called compression ignition.

The combustion of fuel takes place approximately at The combustion of fuel takes place approximately at
5.
constant volume. constant pressure.

6. Works on theoretical Otto Cycle. Works on theoretical Diesel Cycle.

7. Power developed is less. Power developed is more.

8. Thermal efficiency is low. Thermal efficiency is high.

It is up to about 26% It is up to about 40%.

9. These are high speed engines These are low speed engines.

10. The maintenance cost is less. The maintenance cost is more.

11. The running cost is high because of The running cost is low because of

the higher cost of petrol. lower cost of diesel

12. Lighter and cheaper because of low Heavier and costlier because of high

compression ratio Compression ratio.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering

 Unit-3 Internal Combustion Engine (IC Engine)

COMPARISON BETWEEN 2-STROKE AND 4-STROKE I.C. ENGINES.

SI.
2-Stroke Engine 4-Stroke Engine
No

Requires two separate strokes to complete one cycle of Requires four separate strokes to complete one cycle of
1.
operation operation
Power is developed for every revolutions of the
2. Power is developed in every revolution of the crankshaft
crankshaft.
The inlet, transfer and exhaust ports are opened and The inlet and exhaust are opened and closed by the
3.
closed by the movement of piston itself. valves.

Turing moment is not uniform and hence requires a Turing moment is uniform and hence Requires lighter
4.
heavier flywheel. flywheel.

The charge is first admitted into the crankcase and then The charge is directly admitted in to the engine cylinder
5.
transferred to the engine cylinder. during the suction stroke.

For the same power developed the engine is heavy and F or the same power developed the Engine is light and
6.
bulky. compact.

7. Thermal efficiency is low. Thermal efficiency is high.

8. Requires greater lubricant and coolant. Requires lesser lubricant and coolant.

9. Fuel consumption is more. Fuel consumption is less.

10.
Initial cost is less. Initial cost is more.

Prapul chandra A C, Department of Mechanical Engineering, R V College of Engineering