Course structure
Module 0: Course Overview and Materials
[Total Run Time: 11 minutes]
Module I: General Concepts [Total Run Time: 43 minutes]
- Correctly describe why all engines are considered “heat” engines and discuss how heat is utilized in combustion engines
- Describe how elements of air interact with heat and fuel within an engine
- Describe characteristics of gasoline that enable it to ignite and combust
- Define the terms ignition and combustion and be able to discuss what occurs during each phase
Module II: Engine Types
[Total Run Time: 10 minutes]
- Identify three major engine types used in motive applications
- Describe differences between the three major engine types
Module III: Fundamental Operating Procedures
[Total Run Time: 13 minutes]
- Discuss and effectively differentiate between the basic differences and similarities of the two most common combustion cycle circuits
- Correctly apply the various combustion/ignition technologies
Module IV: Engine Technology
[Total Run Time: 90 minutes]
- Describe the function, purpose and design issues regarding the hardware and components that support the energy conversion scheme from fast burn combustion, to linear motion, and finally to rotating power source
- Apply the various operating cycles (i.e. 4- Stroke, 2-Stroke, etc.) correctly through selection of an engine technology appropriate for the intended application
- Explain the concept of ‘fast burn’ versus ‘explosion’ and define the difference between ignition and combustion
- Discuss the basic differences between spark ignition versus compression ignition technologies and correctly apply them to a given application
- Describe the limitation of each of the operating cycle technologies and/or the combustion ignition systems
- Explain in terms of specifications and appropriateness the fundamental differences and benefits between the stroked engine technology and the rotary eccentric cycle
Module V: Thermodynamics
[Total Run Time: 26 minutes]
- Articulate the thermodynamic principles and definitions of some of the more practical commonly employed cycles:
- Otto Cycle
- Diesel Cycle
- Mixed Cycle
- Atkinson Cycle
- Appreciate the applicability of the fundamentals of thermal management, as well as the use of these concepts as a means to predict performance
Module VI: Air/Fuel Delivery Systems
[Total Run Time: 3 hours]
- Apply combustion theory and the use of the stoichiometric ratio as it applies to internal combustion, hydrocarbon based engines
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the fundamental principles of fluid dynamics as they apply to liquid/air flow regimes within a closed channel
- Discuss the economics of emissions as this concept applies to the concept of ‘Air/Fuel Ratio’
- Discuss the principles, properties and value of fluid flow through a venturi and how it provides the motive force to pull liquids into a flow stream, and then to cause mixing within that flow stream
- Correctly identify components within a carbureted fuel/air management system, and define their function and/or contribution to fuel management functions
- Provide the same knowledge discourse on fuel injection systems and components
- Realize the causes of emission production, due to the effects of design, operation, and components of an engine
Module VII: Valve Train
[Total Run Time: 30 minutes]
- Describe all components associated with and adjacent to the valve systems within the modern internal combustion engine
- Detail all of the relevant operational characteristics of the camshaft, which includes a technical description of its:
- Function
- Design
- Benefits of various configurations
- Use as an emission control device
Module VIII: Component and Event Timing
[Total Run Time: 51 minutes]
- Define the relationship between camshaft and crankshaft positionsExplain the relative position of camshaft lobes
- Theoretically
- Volumetrically
- Practical
- Describe Valve Actuation Timing and its design compromise
- Low engine rotational speed
- High engine rotational speed
Module IX: Fuels and Combustion [Total Run Time: 5 minutes]
- Knowledgeably discuss the chemical composition of hydrocarbon based fuels, specifically the:
- Chemical constituents, chemical formula, the formulation process, the heat value and the expected potential energy of gasoline and diesel
- Meaning and method of derivation of the ‘Pump Number’ rating for gasoline, and the difference between ‘Pump Number’ and ‘Octane’ as it is typically incorrectly applied
- Value and use of ‘Research Octane Number’ and ‘Motor Octane Number’ as they apply to gasoline
- Meaning and method of derivation of the ‘Cetane’ rating for diesel, its use as a measure of fuel heating value, and its application when selecting fuel grades as a function of environmental conditions (i.e. primarily temperature
- Main by-products of combustion of gasoline and diesel with standard air
- Give a general description of the expected by- products of hydrocarbon based combustion
- Describe the beneficial properties associated with the fluid dynamics of laminar flow regime and its effect on flame propagation rates
- Define the concept of compression ratio and its effect on combustion efficiency and potential energy release from the fuel
- Discuss the relationship between compression ratio and typical combustion head configurations, design guidelines, and interrelated effects
Module X: Ignition
[Total Run Time: 42 minutes]
- Provide a comparison of spark ignition versus compression ignition
- Give a general description of the spark ignition systems and components
- Review the developmental history of ignition systems, their relative improvements and beneficial effect on emission reductions
- Discuss authoritatively ignition theory, with specificity regarding the concepts of:
- Normal ignition
- Pre-ignition
- Pre-detonation
- Compare and contrast the benefits and detractors of the various heat ranges of spark plugs
- Explain the need for and effect of ignition timing
Module XI: Emissions and Controls
[Total Run Time: 51 minutes]
- Provide a brief narrative of the formation and levels of emissions produced within an internal combustion engine
- Explain the functional aspect of all components related to the control of the amount of emissions produced, specifically the control systems used:
- Passive
- Active
- Prior to formation
- After treatment
- Contribute to a discussion of the developmental examinations of:
- Valve timing as an emission control system
- Variable camshaft actuation
- Variable valve actuation
- Describe the functional meaning of thermodynamics as a means to quantify efficiency measures
[Total Run Time: 51 minutes]
- Explain the various components of hardware of the bottom half of a motor
- Define the movable parts of the cylinder:
- Pistons
- Connecting Rod
- Crankshaft
- Balancer
- Define balancing theory
Materials Provided
- 90 days of online single-user access (from date of purchase) to the approximately 10 hour presentation
- 12 video modules (see Topics/Outline tab)
- Integrated knowledge checks to reinforce key concepts
- Online learning assessment (submit to SAE)
- Course handbook (downloadable, .pdf’s)
- Follow up to your content questions
- 1.1 CEUs*/Certificate of Achievement (upon completion of all course content and a score of 70% or higher on the learning assessment)
*SAE International is authorized by IACET to offer CEUs for this course.
