Internal combustion engines are intricate machines with an interesting history. 

Merriam-Webster defines an internal combustion engine as “a heat engine in which the combustion that generates the heat takes place inside the engine proper instead of in a furnace.”

While this is a simple and concise definition, the processes involved require more explanation. In this article, we will break down how an internal combustion engine works. We’ll also provide details about the purpose of an internal combustion engine, its origins and the various forms it takes.

What is an internal combustion engine?

An internal combustion engine is perhaps the most important of the many different car engine parts. Without an effective internal combustion engine, the automobile will not move.

So what is an internal combustion engine? Well, it is one example of a heat engine. A heat engine utilizes heat to drive motion and create energy, but what sets an internal combustion engine apart from other heat engines is the heat necessary to power the engine generated inside of the engine. Other heat engines, on the other hand, do not use this method.

For example, an alternative heat engine to the internal combustion engine would be an external combustion engine. A model of an external combustion engine would be something like a steam engine. In this setup, water is heated in an area away from turbines. Steam is then generated from the heated water, which turns the turbines and creates energy.

Internal combustion engines may be the most widely used of all heat engines. They are used most frequently in vehicles; everything from personal cars to airplanes use internal combustion engines. Internal combustion engines are widely used because of their cost efficiency and performance.

Who invented the internal combustion engine?

As with most scientific advancements, the first internal combustion engine was gradually built. Ideas were built on top of one another to develop what is known today. Long before the Industrial Revolution, Thomas Savery invented the precursor to an engine. Thomas Newcomen would later advance this idea and produce the first instance of a fuel-burning engine.

Once the Industrial Revolution hit, power for machinery was more relevant than ever, and access to fuel was becoming more plentiful. During this time, Jean-Joseph Etienne Lenoir would make perhaps the most significant advancement in the production of the internal combustion engine.

When was the internal combustion engine invented?

Etienne Lenoir successfully produced the first Lenoir Engine in 1859. This would be the first recognized internal combustion engine and would be praised for its durability and dependability. Similar devices would come before, but none would match the quality or performance of the Lenoir engine.

How does an internal combustion engine work?

The engine inside of an automobile will feature several cylinders (typically from two to 12). Inside of these cylinders are pistons, which move up and down to power movement for the vehicle. 

An internal combustion engine produces energy and movement through four steps inside of the engine, facilitated by each of the cylinders inside. These four steps are Intake, Compression, Power and Exhaust: 

• Intake: The cycle begins with a valve opening inside of the cylinder, which allows air and fuel inside of the cylinder.
• Compression: A piston in the cylinder is then raised. The valve closes, and the air and fuel mixture is compressed inside of a combustion chamber in the cylinder.
• Power: A spark plug located inside of the cylinder then ignites this compressed fuel-air mixture and forces the piston in the cylinder back downwards.
• Exhaust: An exhaust valve then opens inside of this cylinder, which raises the piston back up and pushes the exhaust leftover from the combustion reaction outside of the cylinder. This is the very same exhaust that can be seen leaving a car’s exhaust pipe.

This process will take place over many different cylinders, and the repeated action powers the pistons that generate energy and movement for an automobile. Therefore, the cylinder in this process must be well-maintained, as it is the single most important component to your engine’s health.

What are some different types of internal combustion engines?

There are three different types of internal combustion engines that are most prominently used today. These are the spark-ignition engine, the diesel engine and the gas turbine. Let’s go over their differences here.

Spark-Ignition Engine

The example we gave before explaining how an internal combustion engine works showcases a spark-ignition engine, which is the most used internal combustion engine. Spark-Ignition engines are found in most automobiles and are reliable and cost-efficient. The other internal combustion engines follow along a similar cycle but will differ in one or two key features.

Diesel Engine

Diesel engines see significant use in more powerful vehicles that need increased power and performance. A diesel engine still follows a similar process to a spark-ignitino engine, except there is no spark plug and the intake process does not involve fuel intake. Instead, in a diesel engine, the intake process only requires air. Then, during the compression process, fuel is gradually injected into the combustion chamber, where the high levels of pressure are sufficient to heat the air and produce combustion.

Gas Turbine

A Gas-Turbine engine is perhaps the least used out of these three engines. It is mostly used when extreme amounts of power are needed, even with the added costs. Airplanes are the most common users of gas turbines. Though on a rare occasion, some automobiles and even motorcycles will use them. A Gas-Turbine follows along with similar processes as the other two engines, but instead of creating thrust to move pistons, the energy generated from combustion is used to rotate turbines and the exhausted gas is used for thrust.

Conclusion

Internal combustion engines came about due to the need to generate increasing amounts of power during the Industrial Revolution. Since that time, internal combustion engines have become perhaps the most widely used device to generate power. Due to its efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness, it has dominated the market and is present in almost every automobile today. Through an incredibly simple four-step process, air and fuel combine to produce the energy that moves the world.

As a catalytic converter recycler, Majestic Corporation believes it is important to understand how internal combustion engines function, as they work alongside catalytic converters. Majestic Corporation has been a leading precious metals recyclers, non-ferrous metals and Catalytic converter provider for around three decades. With a presence in the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Italy, Mexico, Australia, Hong Kong and more, as well as a network of precious metals refineries around the world, we work with major customers and partners in a transparent and discrete manner and only offer the highest quality services at competitive prices. 

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