| abstract |
In this ceramic engine, the cylinder liners are formed out of a ceramic material, and bearings consisting of a ceramic material are installed in the rotary sliding portions of a crankshaft and larger- and smaller-diameter parts of connecting rods, suction ports being formed in the cylinder liner lower portions so as to be spaced in the circumferential direction thereof, these suction ports and crank chambers communicating via first suction passages, fuel alcohol supply means being provided in second suction passages through which suction air is introduced into the crank chambers. Accordingly, lubricating films of ungasified components of the fuel alcohol are formed on the sliding surfaces of the pistons and cylinder liners and those of the above-mentioned rotary sliding portions, and these sliding surfaces and rotary sliding portions are kept in an excellently lubricated condition owing to such lubricating films. Moreover, the alcohol collected in the crank chambers and the alcohol constituting the lubricating films on the above mentioned sliding surfaces and rotary sliding portions are burnt in order, and suction air is supplied through a low-temperature portion of the engine. Therefore, the suction efficiency does not decrease, and the effciency of the engine can be improved. |