How Did the Olden Cars Engine Work?
The Basics
The internal combustion engine is the most common type of engine used in cars today. It works by burning fuel in a cylinder to create heat and pressure, which drives a piston up and down. The piston is connected to a crankshaft, which converts the up-and-down motion of the piston into rotary motion, which is then used to power the wheels.
The first internal combustion engine was invented by Étienne Lenoir in 1860. However, it was not until the late 19th century that the internal combustion engine became practical for use in cars.
The Four-Stroke Cycle
The four-stroke cycle is the most common type of combustion cycle used in car engines. It consists of the following four steps:
- Intake stroke: The intake valve opens and the piston moves down. This draws a mixture of fuel and air into the cylinder.
- Compression stroke: The intake valve closes and the piston moves up. This compresses the fuel-air mixture, which makes it more combustible.
- Power stroke: The spark plug fires and ignites the fuel-air mixture. This creates heat and pressure, which drives the piston down.
- Exhaust stroke: The exhaust valve opens and the piston moves up. This forces the exhaust gases out of the cylinder.
The Carburetor
The carburetor is a device that mixes fuel and air in the correct ratio for combustion. The carburetor has a Venturi tube, which is a narrow section of the carburetor that causes the air to flow faster. This creates a low-pressure area, which draws fuel from the fuel tank and mixes it with the air.
The Ignition System
The ignition system is responsible for creating a spark that ignites the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder. The ignition system consists of the following components:
- Battery: The battery provides the electrical power for the ignition system.
- Ignition coil: The ignition coil transforms the low voltage from the battery into a high voltage that is needed to create a spark.
- Distributor: The distributor distributes the high voltage from the ignition coil to the spark plugs.
- Spark plugs: The spark plugs create the spark that ignites the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder.
Conclusion
The internal combustion engine is a complex machine, but it is also a very efficient one. It is the most common type of engine used in cars today, and it is likely to remain so for many years to come.