MEC 4875 - Internal Combustion Engines

• Describe the general engineering operation and design compromises involved in spark and compression ignition engines, including the difference between homogeneous and stratified charge combustion
• Apply common I.C. engine terminology such as displacement, bore, stroke, mean effective pressure, specific fuel consumption, specific power, knock, pre-ignition, swirl, tumble, surface-to-volume ratio, and compression ratio
• Recognize the design compromises required to satisfy conflicting performance, packaging, and marketing requirements
• Apply thermodynamics principles to I.C. engine processes and cycles Analyze the engine parameters of friction, torque, power, MEP, and BSFC
• Explain the mechanisms of combustion and the effect of air-to-fuel ratio on performance
• Describe the variables that influence the production of undesirable emissions
• Demonstrate the importance of air flow and how it is affected by valves and forced induction (turbocharging and supercharging)

• Entropy
• Second law of thermodynamics
• Isentropic efficiency
• Irreversibility
• Exergy
• Gas power, vapor, and refrigeration cycles

• IC engine basics, major engine systems, and terminology
• Engine sizing and configuration
• Crankshaft, cranktrain, and engine balance
• Cylinder block and head design considerations
• Pistons and rings
• Cams and valvetrain
• Valve timing and gas exchange
• Basic engine cycles and efficiency
• Air-fuel cycles
• Combustion chemistry and emissions

• Engine benchmarking and inspection
• Engine specification (virtual laboratory)
• Brake specific fuel consumption and optimum engine operating points
• Valve timing
• Cylinder head flow and discharge coefficients
• Combustion and power
• Ignition timing and knock