Piston Engines and Propellers

Abstract

This chapter handles aerodynamics and thermodynamics of both internal combustion (IC) engines and propellers. IC engines – as classified earlier – belong to the big family of internal combustion. However, it is of the intermittent combustion subgroup. This subgroup of aero piston engines is either of the rotary or reciprocating families. Rotary engines are next categorized as either conventional or Wankel engines. Reciprocating engines have different types, namely, inline, horizontally opposed, V-type, X-type, H-type, and radial type engines. For pressure or power boosting, either superchargers or turbochargers are added to reciprocating engines. A detailed aerodynamics and thermodynamics of reciprocating engines is given. Terminology for four-stroke engine and air standard analysis is presented. To examine the generated power and efficiency of reciprocating engines, both Otto and Diesel cycles for four strokes and two strokes types are thoroughly analyzed. The developments in power and efficiency when supercharging or turbocharging are examined.