Diesel Engine
Energy Conversion
Energy Conversion during the operation of a Diesel Engine
A fuel (diesel) is made to make contact with high temperature and high pressure air . In a diesel engine the energy made is mechanical rotational energy from chemical energy .The slider-crank mechanism is what makes this energy.The mechanism is made up of the piston, connecting rod, crank, and cylinder.The piston linear motion is transformed to a rotary motion at the crank.During this motion the piston can reach its highest and lowest point.The mechanism is placed in an engine block ,for support, with cylinder heads ,valves, and fuel injectors fitted above it .When the piston moves downward , one of the valves open and fresh air is sucked in.When the piston returns back upward, all valves and inlets are closed so when the piston reaches it's highest point the air is compressed.During the time the air is being compressed , the piston does work making the pressure and temperature of the air rise.Then the fuel(chemical energy) is injected into the compressed air causing the temperature to rise .It's only here when the high energy fluid pushes the piston back down transforming from chemical energy to mechanical energy.Because of inertia , the piston moves upward once again but this time a valve opens so the exhaust is rejected out of the mechanism.This cycle is repeated over and over.
Energy Conversion during Manufacturing
The engine block arrives at plants half-way made.The plants have to finish the product by creating the holes in which the pistons moves within. A tool creates a crisscross pattern within the cylinder walls (kinetic energy), later to be fill with lubricating oil letting the pistons to run more smoothly.While the engine block is on the assembly line , aero proving devices makes sure each component (part) is installed properly. Somewhere else in the factory the crankshaft is being made.This is a bar that is rotated by the motion of the pistons.As it is being rotated it sends power to the transmission(mechanical).They install a reluctoring by heating it (thermal energy)and placing it on the crankshaft,so when it cools it'll be nice and tight.The main focus of this ring is to time the combustion cycle and tell the engine exactly when to fire the spark plugs.The crankshaft is then placed on four bearings ,that has be lubricated and in which it will turn, on the engine block.Robots then install the pistons into the cylinder blocks and a steal connecting rod that connects the pistons to the crankshaft.Then workers close up the back of the engine block (kinetic energy) by bolting on the rear cover.The two heads ,covers the top of the engine block, cup off the cylinder boards , providing each cylinder with a spark plug and valves. Last a cover is bolted on by a robot to cover the front(mechanical energy).
Energy Conversion During Shipping
After manufactured, the diesel engine is actually shipped. Each engine is loaded onto a ship(Mechanical Energy) and is moved to a determined location( Kinetic Energy).There it is picked up by trucks and moved to factories.
How do Diesel Engines work ?
Diesel Engine - Manufacturing process (with subtitles)
Cites
"How Does a Diesel Engine Work ?" ~ Learn Engineering. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2014.
"How It's Made: The Duramax Diesel Engine." How It's Made: The Duramax Diesel Engine. David Kennedy, 01 Dec. 2010. Web.