1

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction
Any machines which derive heat energy from the combustion of fuel and
convert part of this energy into mechanical work is known as heat engine. Heat engine
are mainly divided into two groups, there are external combustion engine and internal
combustion engine. In the case of external combustion engine, the combustion of fuel
takes place outside the cylinder as in the case of steam engine. Internal combustion
engine, the combustion of fuel in the presence of air take place inside the engine
cylinder and product of combustion of combustion directly act on the piston to
develop the power. The internal combustion engines are further classified as petrol
engine, diesel engine and gas engines according to the type of fuel. The internal
combustion engine offer some special advantage over external combustion engines in
smaller power ranges.
1. The thermal efficiency,
2. The horse power developed per unit weight of engine is high.
3. Starting is easy and quick.
4. It offers greater mechanical simplicity.
5. It requires less space.
6. The capital cost is low.
A piston is a component of reciprocating engine, reciprocating pump, gas
compressor and pneumatic cylinder, among other similar mechanisms. It is the
moving component that is contained by a cylinder and is made gas –tight by piston
ring, The function of piston is to transmit the gas force as a result of combustion to the
crankshaft by means of a connecting rod, The split piston ring was invented by John
Ramsbottom who reported the benefit to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in
1854. The use of piston ring at once dramatically reduced the frictional resistance, the
leakage of steam, and the mass of the piston, leading to significant increase in power
 2

and efficiency and longer maintenance intervals. Piston is the heart of the
Reciprocating Compressor.

1.2 Aim and Objectives

1. Effect of piston shaped and material on the stresses developed in the piston.
2. Optimization of piston head design and comparison with analytical results.
3. Study the effect of fin geometry , pitch and shape on the rate of heat transfer.
4. It provide the compressed air by moving up and down in the compressor
cylinder.
5. It is a carrier for air and oil sealing elements-the piston rings.

1.3 Scope of Thesis

Piston features include the piston head, piston pin, skirt, ring grooves, ring
lands, and piston rings. The design and calculation of piston are determination of bore
and stroke and clearance between piston and cylinder wall.

1.4 Outline of Thesis

There are five chapters in this thesis. Chapter one includes introduction, aim and
objective, scope of thesis and outline of thesis. Literature review for piston is
expressed in chapter two. Chapter three is the design and theory of piston. Then
calculation of piston described in chapter four. Finally, conclusion, discussions and
recommendations of the thesis are described in chapter five.