Engine Systems
In F1 racing, engine systems are the core of each car, driving them to incredible speeds on challenging tracks worldwide. These advanced power units blend cutting-edge technology with innovation to deliver unmatched performance. F1 engines are sophisticated assemblies engineered for maximum power and efficiency. From turbocharged hybrids to energy recovery systems, they epitomize automotive engineering excellence, constantly pushing boundaries.
The Fuel System
The fuel system in an internal combustion engine plays a vital role in ensuring that the fuel gas meets the necessary requirements and specifications for a particular application and operating conditions. It consists of various components that treat the fuel gas before it can be used as engine fuel. The composition of the fuel gas and operating conditions determine the specific components needed in the fuel system. Ultimately, the fuel system ensures that the fuel gas is suitable for use in the engine, optimizing performance and efficiency.
Carburetor
The carburetor’s main function is mixing the two incoming streams, the fuel stream and the air stream, in an acceptable ratio for combustion in internal combustion engines. So, the carburetor is liable for providing a proper air fuel mixture ratio (A/F) and in addition to that it is also responsible for delivering the correct amount of this mixture to the engine depending on the engine load.
Throttle Plate/Valve
It is the component of the carburetor responsible for delivering the proper quantity of the mixture to the engine.
•The way that the fuel is added to the incoming air stream is by means of a venturi tube. As the air passes through the venturi, it will speed up and its pressure will drop. So, this movement of air through the venturi tube is creating an area of low pressure at the expanding end of the venturi and this low pressure is what leads to the suction of the fuel into the flow.
Regulator
This regulator is responsible for maintaining the fuel’s pressure.
The Lubrication System
One of the main functions of the lubrication system is reducing the friction between two surfaces and preventing any metal-to-metal contact between components in order to reduce the wear and tear levels. The lubricant is also used for cleaning purposes and for sealing purposes. Another very important function of the lubrication system is heat removal and carrying heat away from certain components such as bearings, shafts, and pistons. If an engine is not lubricated in a proper manner this will inevitably lead to engine damage and failure. As a matter of fact, one of the main causes of bearings failures is inadequate lubrication.
The Cooling System
The function of the cooling system is to remove and carry the waste heat away from the various components of my engine. Some engines are water cooled while some engines use a liquid coolant known as ‘anti-freeze’.
The cylinder head mainly consists of the following:
In the cylinder head we can have two different designs which are:
Single Overhead Camshaft (SOHC)
This design utilizes only one camshaft to operate both the intake and exhaust valves. The way the SOHC operates is as follows: at certain timings the cam lobes will act on and push the rocker arms in order to open the valves.
Dual Overhead Camshaft (DOHC)
This design utilizes two different camshafts to operate the intake and exhaust valves. In the DOHC design, the cam lobes are in direct contact with the valves; there are no rocker arms present. The main advantage of the DOHC design is the improved volumetric efficiency.