Reciprocating internal combustion engine technology

This article is mainly concerned with gasoline engines, but the technological study remains valid for diesel engines, where only the dimensions, calculated on the basis of forces, may be different.

Numerous calculation codes have been established, sometimes laboriously, over the last few years, to determine the dimensions of the various constituent parts of an engine. As a result, only the technological aspect of the engine is dealt with here.

For each part, the shape, material, design and various functions are described in a general way, while the particularities and numerical data are quoted only as a guide, as they are specific to each manufacturer and, above all, vary over time. The first part covers the engine's fixed components, i.e. the engine block, cylinder head and head gasket, as well as the assembly and sealing of the various parts. The second part deals with the moving parts, i.e. the crankshaft, connecting rod and their bearings, piston and piston rings.

This text is an extract from the book Technologie des moteurs à combustion interne, written by the author, published by Éditions techniques pour l'automobile et l'industrie (ETAI). The author worked for several years in the Engine Department of Automobile Peugeot. In particular, he was responsible for the development of the V6 PRV engine, and the examples he uses to illustrate his point are steeped in this professional life.