Mirror here: http://visual.ly/how-car-engine-works-animated
Thx. Btw - is hackernewsed the new slashdotted?
I think so, this place does get a lot of traffic.
How a Car Engine Works
41–50 of 172 posts
Re: How a Car Engine Works
#42Hi fellow gear-heads... very cool engine graphics!
On a related note, I wanted to add that, if you are not familiar with dual-clutch transmissions [1], they are pretty interesting.
One example (many manufacturers offer this type of transmission) is the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (or simply PDK) [2], developed by Porsche. It is essentially two gearboxes in one complete transmission package, where both gearboxes possess their own clutch. When a gear is selected in one gearbox, the next gear is pre-selected in the other gearbox. The result is a nearly-instantaneous gear change, with smooth power delivery.
Re: How a Car Engine Works
#43It's worth noting that the engine illustrated is a gasoline direct injection engine, which are fairly common on new cars but historically not so. Until the early 2000s most fuel injected gasoline engines were multi-point injection - the fuel was injected in to the incoming air stream immediately before the cylinder, and before that indirect injection which injected where the carburettor was. Then there are carburetto…
The other difference is Diesel engines ignite the fuel by compressing it rather than with a spark. (Also Diesel is the engine type not the fuel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_engine )
Well they both work on compression, diesels simply rely on it more than gasoline engines.
Diesel engines work on what's called adiabatic compression heating. In other words, the compression causes the air to heat to a point higher than the ignition point of the fuel. Diesel engines usually use glow plugs to compensate for the lack of adiabatic compression heating when the engine is cold.
Re: How a Car Engine Works
#44Now, if software was that modular... Sigh...
Re: How a Car Engine Works
#45Earlier quoted context omitted.
Are you sure this is a direct injection? I'm seeing the injector directly behind the inlet valves which would make it multi point.
I just took a close look at it, and I think you're right. It's not the easiest thing to see due to the wireframe, but with a second look it does appear that the injectors are just behind the valve. So yes, it's multi-point injection, rather than direct injection which is the new hotness for gasoline. Formula 1 will allow it from next year with the new V6 formula!
V6 formula!?!? Validating my decision several years ago to quit following F1. ;-)
Re: How a Car Engine Works
#46One day, when the sun is shining and the birds are happily chirping away in the trees, someone is going to submit a similar headline. "How X works", with X being something interesting. "How slowing down your metabolism with paint thinner works" or something.
I'll click on the article link, like I usually do and one day the article will be just one sentence.
"Well"
Re: How a Car Engine Works
#47I had a rather vague idea of these processes so it was great to see everything laid out simply.
As a Subaru driver, I was trying to picture how the cylinders in a flat/boxer engine are attached to the crankshaft: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_engine has a simple animation that shows it if anyone else is interested.
Re: How a Car Engine Works
#48Earlier quoted context omitted.
Are you sure this is a direct injection? I'm seeing the injector directly behind the inlet valves which would make it multi point.
I just took a close look at it, and I think you're right. It's not the easiest thing to see due to the wireframe, but with a second look it does appear that the injectors are just behind the valve. So yes, it's multi-point injection, rather than direct injection which is the new hotness for gasoline. Formula 1 will allow it from next year with the new V6 formula!
I'm currently rebuilding a 2.0 TDCI engine .. an interesting feature is the crowns of the pistons. With direct injection the fuel is aimed at specifically shaped depressions in the piston crowns which causes vortices between the atomised fuel and air improving the mix for a cleaner burn.
Re: How a Car Engine Works
#49Love engines!
Just put 500 break-in-miles on a recent VW Boxer "Shortblock" Rebuild I did this summer!
This one is an early Bosch Fuel Injection(DigiFant), almost like sensor-assisted carburetor.. it's funky. Totally "hackable"..
Re: How a Car Engine Works
#5093 octane is premium fuel in the US? Petrol in the UK starts at 95 and premium is 98. What’s the practical difference then?
My car asks for 91 octane fuel. I have no idea where I'm supposed to get that when all I see is 87, 89, and 93. Since it's an Italian-designed car, I was expecting that 91 is a common European designation. Perhaps not?