Home
History of cars 1800s
Dealer Links
Engines
Exhaust
Heating and Cooling
Suspension
Wheels
Brakes
Steering
Drive Wheels
Fuel
Transmission
Automobile Terminology
 A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
L 2
A2
V 2
A 3
A 4
A 5
A 6
B 2
B 3
B 4
B 5
B 6
C 5
C 4
C 3
C 2
T 2
T 3
S 2
S 3
S 4
R 2
O 2
M 2
H 2
I 2
S 5
Z
P 2
P 3
F 2
F 3
E 2
D 3
D 2
|
The basic components of an internal combustion engine (standard engine for modern day cars) are the engine block, cylinder head, cylinders, pistons, valves, crankshaft, and camshaft. The engine block (the lower part of the engine) houses the cylinders, pistons, and crankshaft. THe components of other engine systems bolt or attach to teh engine block. THe block is manufactured with internal passageways for lubricants (such as oil) and cooling aids. Engine blocks are made of cast iron of aluminum alloy, and formed with a set of round cylinders.
The cylinder head is the upper part of the engine. It is bolted to the top of the block. and seals the tops of the cylinders. Pistons compress air and fuel against the cylinder head prior to ignition. The top of the piston forms the floor of the combustion chamber. A rod connects the bottom of the piston to the crankshaft. Lubricated bearings allow both ends of the connecting rod to pivot, transferring the piston's jvertical motion into the crankshaft's rotational force, also known as the torque of an engine. The motion of the pistons rotates the crankshaft at high speeds (rpm's).
Fuel vapor enters and exhaust gasses leave the combustion chamgber through openings in the cylinder head controlled by valves. The engine valve is a metal shaft with a disk at on end, fitted to block the opening. The other end of the shaft is mechanically linked to a camshaft,(round rod,j with odd shaped lobes located inside the engine block or in the cylinder head). inlet valves open to allow fuel to enter the combustion chambers. Outlet valves open releasing the exhaust gasses.
A gear wheel, belt or chain links the camshaft to the crankshaft. When the crankshaft forces teh camshaft to turn, lobes on the camshaft cause valves to open and close at a precise moment in the engine's cycle. When fuel vapor ignites, the intake and outlet valves close tightly to direct the force of the explosion downward on the piston. |
|