Development of Power

Power, which is required for the propulsion of an automobile, is developed by means of Power-Unit or Engine. Starting the engine develops the requisite power. In order to see how the power is developed, is to know how the engine is put into operation. If an engine is in the working order, the following checks have to be made for the development of power:

1. Check whether there is fuel in the fuel tank, oil in the oil sump or oil tank, water in the radiator up to the correct level.
2. Check whether the battery is properly fitted in case of Spark – Ignition Engines (Petrol engines) containing Batter Ignition System.
3. Check whether gearshift level is in the neutral position (engine should be disconnected from the transmission line).

After making the above mentioned checks, the crankshaft, to which are connected all the working parts, directly or indirectly, is rotated mechanically by means of a hand crank or kick starter; or electrically by means of starting motor or self-starter. By moving the crankshaft, all the working parts of the engine are set in motion, which help in completing the cycle of operation. The power impulse is obtained during the Power Stroke, which is stored in the flywheel attached with the crankshaft. Due to inertia moments, the flywheel drives the crankshaft for the other strokes to complete the cycle of operation and this way the engine is set in motion.

Mechanical Power, i.e., Rotary Motion, which is converted from the heat energy by means of engine, is available at the flywheel of the engine, from where it is transmitted to the wheels. More about the Working of a Engine.

An engine is a Prime Mover with the help of which heat energy (which is obtained from the fuel carried with the vehicle) is converted into mechanical energy.

Automobile engines can be classified with different regards, which are as under:

1. With regards to the fuel used:
   1. Petrol Engines.
   2. Diesel Engines.
2. With regard to the number of cylinders:
   1. Single Cylinder Engine.
   2. Multicylinder Engine.
3. With regards to the cycle of operation:
   1. Otto Cycle Engine (Petrol Engine), or, Constant Volume Cycle Engine.
   2. Diesel Cycle Engine (Diesel Engine), or, Constant Pressure Cycle Engine.
4. With regard to the strokes per cycle:
   1. Two Stroke engine.
   2. Four Stroke engine.
5. With regard to the Ignition in the Engine:
   1. Compression Ignition Engine (Diesel Engine).
   2. Spark Ignition Engine (Petrol Engine).
6. With regard to the cooling of the Engine:
   1. Air cooled engine.
   2. Water cooled engine.
7. With regards to the shape of the Engine Block:
   1. In-Line Engine.
   2. “V” Shaped Engine.
   3. Opposed Cylinder Engine (Boxer Engine).
8. With regard to the location of the Valve:
   1. “I” Head Engine or overhead valve engine in which both intake and exhaust valves are in the cylinder head.
   2. “L” Head Engine or side valve engine in which both intake and exhaust valves are fitted by the side of cylinders.
   3. “T” Head Engine, in which exhaust valves are fitted on one side of the cylinders whereas intake valves on the other side of the cylinders.
   4. “F” Head Engine, in which one valve is placed in the cylinder head while the other by the side of the cylinder.

Every type of automobile engine contains three main parts:

1. Cylinder head.
2. Cylinder Block (Engine Block).
3. Oil sump or oil pan.

Apart from these parts except in single cylinder engines every automobile engine contains intake (Induction) and Exhaust manifolds, for the inlet and exhaust of fresh and used gases. Engine parts can be defined into Working Parts of an Engine and Static Engine Parts.