Principles of the Compression

Engine
What is a compression engine?
Needs no spark to ignite fuel/air mixture as
in a gasoline spark ignition (SI) engine
Combustion occurs spontaneously due to
compression
All diesel engines are compression ignition
(CI) engines
Typical diesel engine
SI Engine Air
cleaner
with OHC Carbure
Camshaft
tor

Rocker arm

Intake valve
Cam sprocket Exhaust valve
Piston

Connecting
Timing belt rod

Timing belt Crankshaft

tensor

Oil pump
Crank sprocketOil pickup
 Definitions
Temperature /oC, F, K
Volume /cm3 or cc
Pressure / atm, psi, Pa

See also glossary of terms

 What is diesel?
Crude oil fraction after gasoline (petrol)
C9H20 C12H26 nonane dodecane
Exact composition governed by various
standards
 The Chemistry
Diesel is burnt:

CnH2n+2 + O2 H2O + CO2 +HEAT

Inefficient combustion
CO, carbon monoxide
C, soot, diesel particulates
PCAs, benzene etc.
 4-stroke Spark plug for SI engine
Fuel injector for CI engine

operating cycle Valves

Top Clearance
Center volume
(TC)
Cylinder
Stroke wall

Bottom
Center
(BC) Piston

TC
0o
Crank shaft
q

270o 90o

180o
BC
http://static.howstuffworks.com/flash/diesel.swf
 1. Induction Stroke
Engine pulls piston
out of cylinder
Low pressure inside
cylinder (< 1 atm.)
Atmospheric
pressure pushes air
into cylinder
Engine does work
on the gases during
this stroke
 2. Compression stroke
Engine pushes piston
into cylinder
Air is compressed to
high pressure and
temperature (700psi,
540oC)
Fuel injected as piston
reaches top of stroke
Engine does work on
the gases during this
stroke
 3. Power Stroke
Fuel/air mixture burns
to form hot gases
(2000oC, 1000psi)
Gases push piston out
of cylinder
Gases expand to lower
pressure and
temperature
Gases do work on
engine during this
stroke
 4. Exhaust stroke
Engine pushes
piston into cylinder
High pressure
inside cylinder
Pressure pushes
burned gases out of
cylinder
Engine does work
on the gases during
this stroke
 4-stroke cycle
http://static.howstuffworks.com/flash/diesel
.swf
Lets take a closer look
The crankshaft and piston
 Number of cylinders
Single-cylinder

engine gives one power stroke per crank revolution (2 stroke) or two
revolutions (4 stroke). The torque pulses are widely spaced, and engine
vibration and smoothness are significant problems.
Used in small engine applications where engine size is more important

Multi-cylinder

engines spread out the displacement volume amongst

multiple smaller cylinders. Increased frequency of power strokes
produces smoother torque characteristics. Engine balance (inertia forces
associated with accelerating and decelerating piston) better than single
cylinder.
 Types of injection

Glow plug

Orifice
-plate

Direct injection: Direct injection:

quiescent chamber swirl in chamber Indirect injection: turbulent
and swirl pre-chamber
 Critical factors
Compression must be high enough
Batteries
Worn piston/barrel
Valve seating
Fuel and air must mix thoroughly
Injectors working correctly
Glow plugs must work properly where
fitted
Any questions?