Question: What is internal combustion engine?

What is the difference

between internal combustion engine (I.C. engine) and external
combustion engine (Steam engine)? [1B]

Answer:

Internal combustion engine: Internal combustion engines are those in

which combustions of fuel take place inside the engine cylinder.

Difference between internal combustion engine and external

combustion engine:

External combustion engine Internal combustion engine

1. The combustion of fuel takes place
outside the engine cylinder.
2. As the combustion of fuel takes
place outside the cylinder, these
engines are smooth, silent running.
3. The working pressure and the
temperature inside the engine
cylinder is low.
4. Ordinary alloys are used for the
manufacturing of engine cylinder
and its parts.
5. It requires boiler and other
components to transfer energy and
so it is heavy.
6. It has efficiency of about 15-20%.
7. It cannot be started
instantaneously.
1. The combustion of fuel takes place
inside the cylinder.
2. As the combustion of fuel takes
place inside the cylinder, these
engines are noisy.
3. The working pressure and the
temperature inside the engine
cylinder is very high.
4. Special alloys used for the
manufacturing of engine cylinder
and its parts.
5. It doesn’t require boiler or other
components. So it is light.
6. It has efficiency of about 35-40%.
7. It can be started instantaneously.

Question: Explain the sequence of operation in a cycle.

Answer:

Sequence of operation in a cycle:

1. Suction stroke: In this stroke, the fuel vapour in correct proportion

is supplied to the engine cylinder.
2. Compression stroke: In this stroke, the fuel vapour is compressed
in the engine cylinder.

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 3. Expansion or working stroke: In this stroke, the fuel vapour is
fired just before the compression is complete. It results the sudden
rise of pressure, due to expansion of combustion products in the
engine cylinder. This sudden rise of the pressure pushes the piston
with a great force and rotates crankshaft. The crankshaft in turn
drives the machine connected to it.
4. Exhaust stroke: In this stroke the burnt gases are exhausted from
the engine cylinder, so as to make space available for the fresh fuel
vapour.

Question: What is two stroke and four stroke engine?

Answer:

Two stroke engine: In a two stroke engine, the working cycle is completed
in two strokes of the piston or one revolution of the crank shaft. This is
achieved by carrying out the suction and compression process in one
stroke expansion and exhaust processes in the second stroke.

Four stroke engine: In a four stroke engine, the working cycle is

completed in four strokes of the piston or two revolutions of the crank-
shaft. This is achieved by carrying out suction, compression, expansion and
exhaust process in each stroke.

Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of two stroke

over four stroke cycle engine?[4B]/ Write down the difference
between two stroke and four stroke engine.

Answer:

Advantages:

1. A two stroke cycle engine gives twice the number of power strokes
than the four stroke cycle engine at the same engine speed.
2. A two stroke cycle engine is lighter, less bulky and occupies less floor
area.
3. A two stroke cycle engine has a lighter flywheel and foundation.
4. The initial cost of a two stroke cycle engine is considerably less than
a four stroke cycle engine.

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Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals (ME-401)
 5. The mechanism of a two stroke cycle engine is much simpler than a
four stroke cycle engine.
6. The two stroke cycle engines are much easier to start.

Disadvantages:

1. Thermal efficiency of a two stroke cycle engine is less than that of a

four stroke cycle engine.
2. Overall frequency of a two stroke cycle engine is also less than that
of a four stroke cycle engine.
3. In case of two stroke cycle engine, the number of power strokes are
twice as those of a four stroke cycle engine. There is a greater wear
and tear in a two stroke cycle engine.
4. The consumption of lubricating oil is large in a two stroke cycle
engine because of high operating temperature.
5. The exhaust gases in a two stroke cycle engine create noise because
of short time available for their exhaust.

Question: Draw and name the main components of I.C. engine. [3B]
/Describe the main components of internal combustion engine.

Answer:

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Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals (ME-401)
An I.C. engine consists of hundreds of different parts which are important
for proper working.

1. Cylinder: It is one of the most important parts of the engine in which

the piston moves to and fro in order to develop power. The materials
of an engine cylinder should be such that it can retain sufficient
strength at such a high pressure and temperature. For ordinary
engines the cylinder is made of cast iron, for heavy duty engines it is
made of steel alloys or aluminium alloys, for multiple cylinder
engines cylinders are cast in one block known as cylinder block.
2. Cylinder head: It acts as a cover to close the cylinder bore. The
cylinder heads contain inlet and exit valves for admitting fresh
charge and exhausting the burnt gases. In petrol engines, it contains a
spark plug for ignition the fuel-air mixture and in diesel engines, it
contains nozzle for injecting the fuel into the cylinder.
3. Piston: Piston is the heart of I.C. engine. Its main function is to
transmit the force exerted by the burning of charge to the connecting
rod. These are made of aluminium alloys and are light in weight and
have good conducting property and also greater strength at high
temperature.
4. Piston rings: There are circular rings made of special steel alloys and
are housed in the circumferential grooves provided on the outer
surface of the piston. There are two sets of rings-upper rings are to
provide air tight seals to prevent leakage of the burnt gases into the
lower portion. The function of the lower rings is to provide effective
seal to prevent leakage of the oil into the engine cylinder.
5. Connecting rod: It is a link between piston and crankshaft and its
function is to transmit force from the piston to the crankshaft. It
converts reciprocating motion of the piston into circular motion of
the crankshaft. The upper end of the connecting rod is connected to
the piston and lower to the crank.
6. Crankshaft: It is the backbone of an I.C. engine and its function is to
convert the reciprocating motion of the piston into the rotary motion
with the help of connecting rod. It contains one or more eccentric
portions called crank.

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Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals (ME-401)
 7. Crank case: It is a cast iron case and holds the cylinder and
crankshaft of an I.C. engine. It serves as a sump for the lubricating oil.
The lower portion of it is known as bed plate.
8. Flywheel: It is a big wheel mounted on the crankshaft and maintains
its speed constant. It is done by storing excess energy during the
power stroke.

Question: What is scavenging of I.C. engine? Describe its

types./Describe scavenging with neat sketch. [4B]

Answer: The process of removing burst gases from the engine cylinder is
known as scavenging.

Classification:

i) Crossflow scavenging: In this method, the transfer port and exhaust

port are situated on the opposite sides of the cylinder. The piston
crown is designed into a particular shape.
ii) Back flow or loop scavenging: In this method the inlet and outlet
ports are situated on the same side of the engine cylinder. The fresh
charge while entering into the engine cylinder forms a loop and
pushes out the burnt gases as shown in figure (ii).
iii) Uniflow scavenging: In this method, the fresh charge while entering
from one side of the engine cylinder pushes out the gases through the
exit valve situated on the top of the cylinder. Both the fresh charge
and burnt gases move in the same upward direction as shown in
figure (iii).

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Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals (ME-401)
Question: What is detonation of IC engine? [1B] Which factors cause
detonation in IC engine? [1B/2B/3B]

Answer:

Detonation: The loud pulsating noise heard within the engine cylinder is
known as detonation or knocking or pinking.

Factors of detonation:

i) The chemical nature of the fuel.

ii) The initial temperature and pressure of the fuel and
iii) The relative position of the sparking plug in case of petrol engines.

Question: What is super charging of I.C. engine? What are the objects
of it?

Answer:

Super charging: Super charging of the I.C. engine is the process of

increasing the mass, or in other words density of the air-fuel mixture (in
spark ignition engine) or air induced into the engine cylinder. This is done
with the help of compressor or blower known as super charger.

Objects of super charging:

i) To reduce mass of the engine per brake power (aircraft engine).

ii) To maintain power of aircraft engines at high altitudes where less
oxygen is available for combustion.
iii) To reduce space occupied by the engine (marine engine).
iv) To reduce the consumption of lubricating oil (all types of engines).
v) To increase the power output of an engine.

Question: What is lubrication of I.C. engine? [2B/3B] Write down the

advantages of lubrications of IC engine. [3B]

Answer:

Lubrication of I.C. engine: As a matter of fact that, the moving parts of the
I.C. engines are likely to wear off due to continuous rubbing action of one
part with another. In order to avoid an early wearing of the engine parts, a
proper lubrication is provided in I.C. engines.

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Advantages of lubrication of I.C. engine:

i) It reduces wear and tear of the moving parts.

ii) It damps down the vibrations of the engine.
iii) It cleans the moving parts.
iv) It dissipated the heat generated from the moving parts due to
friction.
v) It makes the piston gas tight.

Question: What are the effects/causes of overheating of engine parts?

2B

Answer: The effects/causes of overheating of engine parts are given below:

i) The overheating causes thermal stresses in the engine parts which

may lead to their distortion.
ii) The overheating causes decomposition of the lubricating oil which
may cause carbon deposit on the engine and piston head.
iii) The overheating reduces the strength of the piston.
iv) The overheating reduces volumetric efficiency of the engine.
v) The overheating causes burning of valves and valve seats.
vi) The overheating increases tendency of the detonation.

Question: Write the differences between air cooling system and water
cooling system.

Answer: The differences between air cooling system and water cooling
system are given below:

Air Cooling System Water Cooling System

1. The design of this system is 1. The design of this system is
simple and less costly. complicated and more costly.
2. The mass of cooling system is very 2. The mass of water system is much
less. more.
3. The fuel consumption is more. 3. The fuel consumption is less.
4. Its maintenance and installation is 4. Its installation and maintenance is
very easy and less costly. difficult and more costly.
5. There is no danger of leakage or 5. There is a danger of leakage or
freezing of the coolant. freezing of the coolant.
6. It works smoothly and 6. If the system fails, it may cause
continuously and does not depend serious damage to the engine within
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on any coolant. a short time.

Question: Briefly discuss with sketches the actual sequence of events

in the cylinder of a petrol engine working on the four stroke cycle.
[1B]/Explain with neat sketch the four stroke cycle petrol engine.

Answer:

Four stroke cycle petrol engine: It requires four strokes of the piston to
complete one cycle of operation in the engine cylinder. The four strokes of
a petrol engine sucking and fuel air mixture are described below:

i) Suction or Charging Stroke: In this stroke, the inlet valve opens and
charge sucked into the cylinder as the piston moves downward from
top dead centre. It continues till the piston reaches its bottom dead
centre.[fig-(a)]
ii) Compression Stroke: Both inlet and exhaust valves are closed and
the charge is compressed as the piston moves upwards from B.D.C to
T.D.C and so pressure and temperature increases.

iii) Expansion or Working Stroke: In this stroke, both the valves are
closed and piston moves from T.D.C to B.D.C. Before the piston
reaches to T.D.C, the charge is ignited with the help of a spark plug. It
suddenly increases the temperature and pressure of the combustion
but the volume remains constant. The piston is pushed down due to
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 rise in pressure and the hot burnt gases expand due to high speed of
the piston.
iv)Exhaust Stroke: the exhaust valve is open in this stroke as piston
moves from B.D.C to T.D.C. The movement of the piston pushes out
the products of combustion from engine cylinder and are exhausted
through the exhaust valve. This completes the cycle and the engine
cylinder is ready to suck the charge again.

Question: Briefly describe the working principle of two stroke cycle

petrol engine with neat sketch. [3B]

Answer:

Two stroke cycle petrol engine: In this cycle the suction, compression,
expansion and exhaust take place during two strokes of the piston. All of
the stages of two stroke cycle engine are discussed below:

i) Suction Stage: In this stage, the piston while going down towards
BDC, uncovers both the transfer port and exhaust port. The fresh air
fuel mixture flows into the engine cylinder from the crank case. (fig-
a).
ii) Compression Stage: The piston while moving up, first covers the
transfer port and then exhaust port. Then the fuel is compressed as
the piston moves upward. In this stage, the inlet port opens and fresh
air fuel mixture enters into the cranks case.

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 iii) Expansion Stage: Before the piston reaches the TDC, the charge is
ignited with the help of a spark plug. It increases the pressure and
temperature of the products of combustion, but volume remains
constant. The rise of pressure causes the piston to push downwards
with a great force. The hot burnt gases expand due to high speed of
the piston. During this expansion, the heat energy is transferred into
mechanical work.
iv) Exhaust Stage: In this stage, the exhaust port is open as piston
moves downwards. The products of combustion are exhausted
through the exhaust port. This completes the cycle and engine
cylinder is ready to suck the charge again.

Question: Explain with neat sketch of four stroke diesel engine. 2B

Answer: It is also known as Compression ignition engine because the

ignition takes place due to the heat produced in the engine cylinder at the
end of compression stroke. The four strokes of a diesel engine sucking pure
air are described below:

1. Sucking or Charging Stroke: In this stroke, the inlet valve opens and
pure air is sucked into the cylinder as the piston moves downwards
from TDC (Top Dead Centre). It continues till the piston reaches BDC
(Bottom Dead Centre).

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 2. Compression Stroke: In this stroke, both the valves are closed and
the air is compressed as the piston moves upwards from BDC to TDC.
3. Expansion or Working Stroke: Shortly before the piston reaches
the TDC fuel is injected in the form of very fine spray into the engine
cylinder. At this time, temperature of the compressed air is
sufficiently high to ignite the fuel. It suddenly increases the pressure
and temperature of the products of combustion. Due to increased
pressure, the piston is pushed down with a great force from TDC to
BDC.
4. Exhaust Stroke: In this stroke, the exhaust valve is open as the
piston moves from BDC to TDC. This movement of the piston pushes
out the products of combustion from the engine cylinder through the
exhaust valve into the atmosphere.

Question: Why necessary to control the valve timing? Differentiate the

theoretical valve timing diagram in figure of four stroke cycle engine
over two stroke cycle engine. 3B

Answer:

Valve timing diagram: It is a graphical representation of the exact

moments in the sequence of operations at which the two valves open and
close as well as timing of fuel.

1. Theoretical valve timing diagram for four stroke cycle engine: The
theoretical valve timing diagram for a four-stroke cycle engine is shown in
this diagram, the inlet valve opens at A and
the suction takes place from A to B. The
crankshaft revolves through 180° and the
piston moves from TDC to BDC. At B, the
inlet valve closes and the compression
takes place from B to C. The crankshaft
revolves through180° and the piston
moves from BDC to TDC. At C, the fuel is
fired and the expansion takes place from C
to D. The crankshaft revolves through 180°
and the piston again moves from TDC to
BDC. At D, the exhaust valve opens and the

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exhaust takes place from D to E. The crankshaft again revolves through
180° and the piston moves back to TDC.

2. Theoretical valve timing diagram for two-stroke cycle engine: The

theoretical valve timing diagram for a two
stroke cycle engine is shown. In this
diagram, the fuel is fired at A and the
expansion of gases takes place from A to
B. the crankshaft revolves through
approximately 120° and the piston moves
from TDC towards BDC. At B, the valves
open and suction as well as exhaust take
place from B to C. the crankshaft revolves
through approximately 120° and the
piston moves first to BDC and then little
upwards. At C, both the valves close and
compression takes place from C to A. The
crankshaft revolves through
approximately 120° and the piston moves to TDC.

Question: Mention the classification of I.C. engines.

Answer: The classification of I.C. engines is mentioned below:

1. According to the type of fuel used:

a. Petrol engines
b. Diesel engines or oil engines
c. Gas engines
2. According to the method of ignition the fuel:
a. Spark ignition engines (SI engines)
b. Compression ignition engines (CI engines)
c. Hot spot ignition engines (HS engines)
3. According to the number of strokes per cycle:
a. Four stroke cycle engines
b. Two stroke cycle engines
4. According to the cycle of operation:
a. Otto cycle engines
b. Diesel cycle engines

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 c. Dual combustion cycle engines
5. According to the speed of the engine:
a. Slow speed engines
b. Medium speed engines
c. High speed engines
6. According to the cooling system:
a. Air cooled engines
b. Water cooled engines
c. Evaporative cooling engines
7. According to the method of fuel injection:
a. Carburetor
b. Air injection
c. Solid injection
8. According to the number of cylinders:
a. Single cylinder
b. Multi-cylinder
9. According to the arrangement of cylinders:
a. Vertical
b. Horizontal
c. Radial
d. In-line multi cylinder
e. V-type multi cylinders
f. Opposite-cylinder engines
g. Opposite-piston engines

Question: Write down the comparison between petrol engine and

diesel engine.

Answer: The comparison between petrol engine and diesel engine is given
below:

Petrol Engines Diesel Engines

1. It draws a mixture of petrol and 1. A diesel engine draws only air
air during suction stroke. during suction stroke.
2. The carburetor is employed to 2. The injector or atomizer is
mix air and petrol in the required employed to inject the fuel at the
proportion and to supply it to the end of the compression stroke.
engine during suction stroke.
3. Pressure at the end of 3. Pressure at the end of
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compression is about 10 bar. compression is about 35 bar.
4. The charge is ignited with the help 4. The fuel is injected in the form of
of spark plug. fine spray. The temperature of the
compressed air is sufficiently high to
ignite the fuel.
5. The combustion of fuel takes place 5. The combustion of fuel takes place
approximately at constant volume. approximately at constant pressure.
6. It has compression ratio 6. It has compression ratio
approximately from 6 to 10. approximately from 15 to 25.
7. The starting is easy due to low 7. The starting is difficult due to high
compression ratio. compression ratio.
8. As the compression ratio is low, 8. As the compression ratio is high,
they are lighter and cheaper. diesel engines are heavier and
costlier.
9. The running cost is high because 9. The running cost is low because of
of higher cost of petrol. comparatively low cost of diesel.
10. The maintenance cost is less. 10. The maintenance cost is high.
11. The thermal efficiency is about 11. The thermal efficiency is about
26%. 40%.
12. These are high speed engines. 12. These are relatively low speed
engines.

Question: Write short note on Carburetor [1B/2B] and

Atomizer/Injector. [1B]

Answer:

Carburetor: The carburetor is a device for atomizing and vaporizing the

fuel and mixing it with the air in the varying proportions to suite the
changing operating conditions of the engine. The process of breaking up
and mixing the fuel with the air is called carburetion.

It consists of a fuel jet in the centre of the choke tube. A float chamber is
provided for maintaining the fuel level in the jet and is controlled by a float
lever. The fuel is pumped into the float chamber and when the correct level
of the fuel is reached, the float closes the needle valve and shuts of the
petrol supply. A throttle vale controls the flow of the mixture delivered to
the engine cylinder.

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Injector/Atomizer: It breaks up the fuel and sprays fuel into the cylinder
in very fine divided particles. Fuel is delivered from the pump along the
horizontal pipe. The vertical spindle of the injector is spring loaded at the
top which holds the spindle down with a pressure of 140 bar so that the
fuel pressure must reach this value before the nozzle will lift into allow fuel
to be injected into the engine cylinder. The fuel leaks past the vertical
spindle is taken off by means of an outlet pipe fitted at B above the fuel
inlet pipe.

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