History OF IC Engine
• Huygens Gunpowder Engine
In 1678 Hautefeuille proposed an early form of internal combustion engine, which was to
use gunpowder as a fuel, but it seems unlikely that any such machine was ever constructed by
him. He was, however, the first person to propose the use of a piston in a heat engine.
Huygens proposed a similar device two years later in 1680 based on de Hautefeuille's
suggestion and appears to have constructed some form of prototype.[3]
The first internal-combustion engine, according to our modern ideas, was that of Robert
Street, patented in England in 1794. In this the bottom of a cylinder was heated by fire and
a small quantity of tar or turpentine was projected into the hot part of the cylinder, forming a
vapor. The rising of the piston sucked in a quantity of air to form the explosion mixture and
also flame for ignition. The cycle was that which was used later by Lenoir in the first
commercially successful engine.
About 1800 Phillippe Lebon patented in France an engine using compressed air,
compressed gas and electricity for ignition. Some authorities believe that his early death
retarded the development of the internal-combustion engine half a century, as all of the
features mentioned are necessary to the highly efficient engines of today, though they did not
come into use for three-quarters of a century after his death.
In 1838 William Barnett patented in England an engine which was an advance upon
preceding types in that country. It compressed the gas and air separately, igniting the mixture
when the piston was at the end of its stroke.
• Lenoir non compression engine
Lenoir, of France, patented in 1860, the first engine to attain considerable use. In general, it
resembled a double-acting steam engine, with a slide valve for the admission and another for
the exhaust.
• Free piston Otto-Langen engine
new Otto-Langen free-piston engine, which was exhibited at the Paris Exposition in 1867
• Four stroke cycle – Principles of Beau de
n 1860, Beau de Rochas stated the conditions required for the efficiency of an internal-
combustion engine as follows.
• Rochas and Otto cycle
Beau de Rochas also described the four strokes,
• Brayton engine
Brayton 1872 to 1874. The Brayton engine was to some extent the precursor of the present
Diesel engine. The mixture of gas and air burned at constant pressure and gave a card
resembling somewhat that of the steam engine. This engine was manufactured for a while,
but was not able to compete with the Otto-Langen free-piston engine in economy. It was
adapted for both gas and petroleum.
The sliding valve on 1876 has been replaced by poppet valves, and the flame ignition has
been replaced by the electric spark
• Atkinson engine
The Atkinson-cycle engine is a type of internal combustion engine invented by
James Atkinson in 1882. The Atkinson-cycle engine is a type of internal
combustion engine invented by James Atkinson in 1882.Variable valve timing
if the compression in the cylinder were lowered and the power stroke was longer than the
intake stroke, the engine would work more efficiently.
• Diesel engine
The development of the Diesel engine for oil began about 1894. As has been stated, this
engine is similar to the Brayton. Air is compressed to about 500 pounds pressure and oil is
sprayed into this highly compressed air. It burns spontaneously at nearly constant pressure,
which is followed by a long expansion. The extremely high temperature of the air previous to
the injection of the fuel, and the high temperature maintained during this injection, together
with the long expansion, give the engine the highest efficiency of any thermal motor.
• 1862 -- Rochas described the basic principles essential for efficient engine operation.
• 1878 – Otto built the first successful 4-stroke cycle engine.
The well-known Otto engine was invented by Dr. Nicholas Otto, of Germany, and was
patented in this country in 1877. It follows the cycle that has been described by Beau de
Rochas , now known as the four-cycle, or sometimes as the Otto cycle.
• 1891 – Day built an improved 2-stroke cycle engine.
• 1892 – Diesel patented the compression-ignition (diesel) engine.
