V8 engines are iconic pieces of machinery used in multiple vehicles since 1933. It helps vehicles turn fuels, such as petrol or diesel, into a reactive form that is then converted to mechanical energy in order to move the vehicle. This article will delve into a simple understanding of this device and how it operates.
Inlines and Vs
The V-type engines (the layout type of the V8) are essentially the innovated and improved version of inline engines. The inline has multiple cylinder pistons in a row, which is spatially inefficient and takes up a longer real-estate. However, it is from that where the V-layout was made.
Instead of having the pistons right behind each other, Gottlieb Daimler put two pistons opposite to each other by a 60-90 degree layout. This made it slightly wider and smaller in length and brought about the V-twin engine. Its name was given from how the pistons look from the side. After years of innovation, from V4 to V5, came the V8.
The Process
The thing that connects all the pistons together is the crankshaft. Its pattern and design is what determines the order of movement of the different cylinders. The reaction of fuel and compressed and ignited air causes movement, which essentially moves the pistons and creates a rotary movement on the crankshaft. This can be geared up to other parts of the car, such as the wheels, to generate movement.
First, the process starts at the valve train (the part on top of each cylinder piston), when the driver steps on the gas the valve(s) opens and lets in a bit of fuel. The fuel goes through the carburetor first, which mixes air and the fuel together to form the explosive mixture to drive the pistons. Pistons move downwards to intake the mixture then goes back up to compress it. A spark is created from this movement that pushes the piston downward once again, creating more rotary movement on the crankshaft, and finally, the piston goes back up to push out exhaust gases.
This process is what allows the pistons to go up and down within the cylinders to create mechanical movement, which can be converted to other forms of energy, or connected to a system of gears, allowing other parts of the car (eg. the wheels) to move.
Aftermath and the Future
By modern standards, the V8 is quite old, considering advanced versions such as the V12 exist. These models, however, lead to a common problem that releases copious amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, directly leading to global warming and climate change issues.
The world is slowly shifting towards more eco-friendly alternatives, such as the development of electric cars, where energy can be stored in a battery that does not require any exhaust. This inevitably reduces emissions significantly and helps the fight against climate change.
Works Cited
DocumentaryTube. “How It Works: Internal Combustion Engine.” YouTube, YouTube, 8 May 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIJ50aUiBgM.
Engineering Explained. “How V8 Engines Work - A Simple Explanation.” YouTube, YouTube, 11 Apr. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZLygdpg3LU.
Engineering Explained. “V8 Engine - Explained.” YouTube, YouTube, 9 July 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H-GWcwO4vw.
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