We love driving and being driven around in vehicles. Well, vehicles are engineering marvels and have a lot of small components working together as a team to make your ride fast, safe, and enjoyable! Today, we are going to find out about the details of the piston in an engine. How the piston moves inside the cylinder to produce power and torque to move your engine.
What is a Piston in an Internal Combustion Engine?
A piston is a component central to the operation of internal combustion engines, whether in a car engine, steam engine, or diesel engine. Traditionally made from alloy or cast iron, the piston functions within the piston and cylinder to convert the energy generated by the combustion process into mechanical motion. This piston work involves the movement of the piston up and down the cylinder wall, driven by gas pressure from combustion in the combustion chamber located above the piston crown. The detailed engine design allows for efficient transfer of this piston force, with the connecting rod linking the piston to the crankshaft, which then converts the linear motion to the rotational force necessary to drive the vehicle.
Parts of a piston include the piston head, which faces the combustion chamber, and the piston skirt, which helps to guide the piston as it moves. Piston rings, such as the compression ring and the oil ring, are crucial in securing a tight seal between the piston and the cylinder wall, vital for both maintaining compression and controlling oil consumption. An oil ring, additionally, helps scrape excess oil from the cylinder wall to prevent it from entering the combustion chamber, where it could increase oil consumption and produce unwanted exhaust. The piston pin (or gudgeon pin) attaches the piston to the connecting rod, allowing for essential movement and transfer of forces. Effective lubrication is also needed to minimize friction and wear between the piston and the side of the cylinder, ensuring smooth piston movement and long-term durability of these engine components.
Different types of pistons are optimized for varying engine requirements, including those specific to two-stroke engines and four-stroke engines. Not only IC engines, but steam engines also get engine pistons to transfer power to the crankshaft.
