Course Description

Let us begin our exploration of the internal combustion engine. At its heart, an internal combustion engine is a heat engine in which the burning of fuel occurs within a dedicated combustion chamber, which is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. This combustion process generates gases at incredibly high temperatures and pressures. These gases expand, performing work by pushing against a piston inside a cylinder. This linear, reciprocating motion of the piston is then converted into smooth, rotary motion via a connecting rod and a crankshaft. This transformation of chemical energy into mechanical energy makes the internal combustion engine the prime mover for a vast range of applications-from the cars we drive and the motorcycles we ride, to generators and industrial pumps.

What you'll learn in this course?

• Explain the fundamental operating principles and thermodynamic cycles of both Spark Ignition (SI) and Compression Ignition (CI) engines.

• Identify and describe the function of major engine components, including the cylinder, piston, crankshaft, and valve train.

• Differentiate between two-stroke and four-stroke engine cycles, petrol and diesel engines, and naturally aspirated vs. forced induction systems.

• Analyze key engine performance parameters, including torque, power, thermal efficiency, and mechanical efficiency.

• Understand the basics of combustion processes, fuel systems, and the factors influencing abnormal combustion and engine emissions.

Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of mechanical engineering concepts

• Familiarity with elementary thermodynamics is helpful