AIM

Determination of the indicated power of a multi cylinder engine

OBJECTIVE
(1)To conduct Morse test on a given multi cylinder petrol engine in order to
determine the indicated power developed by the engine.
(2)To determine the mechanical efficiency of the engine

APPARATUS
(1)Four cylinder petrol engine with engine cut off arrangement
(2)Eddy current engine dynamometer

PROCEDURE
(1)The engine to be tested was coupled to the engine dynamometer and
tested under full load conditions at a given speed.
(2)The brake power when all the cylinders were operative was tested.
(3)The ignition to cylinder 1 was cut out so as to deprive that cylinder of power.
(4)The engine speed was restored by reducing the load on the dynamometer
to maintain constant engine speed and the brake power when 1st cylinder is
inactive was measured.
(5)Each of the other cylinders of the engine were also cut off one by one and
the brake power was measured for each cylinder.
(6)A series of tests were conducted at different engine speeds to plot the
indicated power and brake power vs. engine speed graphs.

CALCULATIONS
B=Brake power=
Where,

2 NT
kW
60000

N = engine speed (rpm)

T = engine torque (Nm)

I =Indicated power=I 1+ I 2 + I 3+ I 4
I =Indicated power=( BB 1) + ( BB2 ) +(BB3 )+(BB 4 )
Mechanical Efficiency= m=

Brake power (B)

100
Indicated power ( I )

RESULTS
2000
rpm

2500
rpm

3000
rpm

3500
rpm

Brake power
B
B1
B2
B3
B4

18.85
15.71
15.71
15.71
14.66

22.25
18.33
18.33
18.33
18.33

25.13
25.13
26.70
25.13
21.99

25.66
21.99
32.99
32.99
20.16

Indicated Power
I
I1
I2
I3
I4

13.61
3.14
3.14
3.14
4.19

15.71
3.93
3.93
3.93
3.93

1.57
0.00
-1.57
0.00
3.14

-5.50
3.67
-7.33
-7.33
5.50

138.46
15

141.66
67

1600

466.66
7

Mechanical
Efficiency

DISCUSSION
Effect of frictional losses on an internal combustion engine
As the internal parts of an engine move, they rub against each other and lose
energy due to friction. When the speed of the engine increases with the power
output, the losses due to friction account for a larger portion of the engines gross
power output. This shunts the performance efficiency of the engine and results in
greater emissions due to inefficient operating conditions.

Constructive methods to reduce mechanical losses

Internal combustion engines involve mechanical losses due to relative motions
among the components such as the piston, crank and valve trains or bearings.
Constructive methods such as bearings minimize the relative motions among the
components. A well-designed lubrication system also contributes to minimizing
any mechanical losses.

Precautions to minimize mechanical loss

Care must be taken when manufacturing the engine component so that the
specifications are within the recommended limits.
Correctly-sized friction-reducing components, like bearings, must be selected, or it
could result in further damage.
Lubrication levels must be checked at regular intervals or when something feels
amiss.

Importance of the indicated power of an engine for automobile manufacturers

The indicated power is important for automobile manufacturers as they can
calculate the amount of losses that have occurred when compared with the brake
power. This will give them an idea of how much losses have to be reduced and the
efficiency of the loss reduction method currently in use.