The Internal Combustion Engine¹

Abstract

The Influence of the Internal Combustion Engine. TO engineers the terms horse power and horsepower hour have strictly technical meanings. They can be illustrated by comparing the weight and efficiency of an aircraft engine and a locomotive engine. An aircraft engine can be built with about 2½ lbs. of metal per horse-power as against approximately 250 lbs. of metal per horse-power in a locomotive engine. An aircraft engine requires about The ¾ lb. of fuel oil per H.P. hour as against 3 lbs. of coal per H.P. hour used, by the locomotive engine, in addition to which the locomotive engine must carry about 3 gallons of water per H.P. hour. All these, of course, are round figures. It is the extreme lightness of the petrol engine in relation to its power which has made it possible to develope aircraft.