Principle of operation of the internal combustion engine

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The internal combustion engine is one of the main components of an automobile, responsible for transforming the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical energy to move the vehicle. The operating principle of this engine is based on four strokes: intake, compression, explosion and exhaust.

On the first stroke, the intake valve opens and the piston moves down, allowing air and fuel to enter the combustion chamber. In the second stroke, the intake valve closes and the piston moves upward, compressing the air-fuel mixture. At that moment, the spark plug emits a spark, causing the mixture to explode and pushing the piston down on the third stroke.

This movement of the piston is responsible for generating the mechanical energy that will be transmitted to the wheels of the vehicle. On the fourth stroke, the exhaust valve opens and the resulting combustion gases are expelled out of the engine.

This cycle is repeated several times per minute, depending on engine power, and is controlled by the electronic injection system, which regulates the amount of fuel and air that enters the combustion chamber, ensuring more efficient and economical operation.

Internal combustion engines can be classified according to the number of cylinders, the most common being four, six and eight cylinders. In addition, there are also two-stroke engines, used in motorcycles and small equipment, and diesel engines, which use a different combustion process than the gasoline engine.

In summary, the internal combustion engine is a fundamental component for the operation of a car, transforming the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical energy to move the vehicle. Its operating principle is based on four strokes: intake, compression, explosion and exhaust, and is controlled by the electronic injection system to ensure efficient and economical operation.

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2Types of internal combustion engines: Otto cycle and Diesel cycle