Working of an Automobile Engine

Automobile engine refers to a fuel-consuming machine or device that is used for propelling automobiles, airplanes, tractors, buses, two wheelers, cars etc. Engine forms an integral component of a vehicle that transforms chemical energy in fuel into mechanical energy for power. Usually, automobile engines make use of four strokes to turn chemical energy into mechanical energy with the help of combustion of gases or hydrocarbon fuel.

HOW AN AUTOMOBILE ENGINE WORKS

Following figures depicted above illustrates the working of an automobile engine parts. The functioning of an automobile engine can be described in four main stages mainly Intake, Compression, Power, and Exhaust.

• Intake: In this stage, the intake valve opens up and the mixture of fuel and air is forced into the cylinder. When the piston as shown in the figure above reaches to the bottom of the intake stroke, then the intake valves closes down thereby trapping the mixture of air and fuel into the cylinder.

• Compression: During this stage, piston moves up and compresses the trapped air fuel mixture collected in the cylinder. In this process, the mixture of air and fuel is compressed to a ratio of 8:1 to 10:1. In this stage, when the piston reaches to the top of the cylinder, the mixture is squeezed to about one tenth of its original volume.

• Power: In this stage, spark plug ignites the compressed air-fuel mixture, which produces a powerful expansion of the vapor. Then the combustion process taking place inside the engine pushes the piston down the cylinder with heavy force propelling the crankshaft to provide power to move the vehicle.

• Exhaust: The piston present at the bottom of the cylinder, the exhaust valve opens up allowing burned exhaust gas to be expelled with a strong and violent force. Lastly, the piston travels up to the top of the cylinder forcing all exhaust out before closing the exhaust valve in preparation for starting the four-stroke process over again.
  

SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY

Automobile engine industry comprises of establishments and units engaged in manufacturing, selling, distribution and marketing of automobile engines and its various parts. The total revenue of the global automobile engine manufacturing industry in 2006 was US $ 32.75 billions while the total export and import value accounted for US $ 17.59 billions. The leading trading countries of automobile engine and its parts are Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany, and China. All these countries together contribute a total import and export share of around 91% in the world.

Tag: Automobile, Automobile engine, Piston