How Many Types of Engines are There

Introduction

Engines are devices found everywhere. From Vehicles to refrigerators, all consist of Engines. They convert heat energy to speed. Engines need fuel to work and exert linear forces and torques so that the devices can work efficiently. Examples of Engines that exert torque are normal gasoline and Diesel Engines. Examples of Engines that exert thrust are rockets and turbofans.

Types of Engines

Depending on Combustion, Engines are of two types. These are:

1. External Combustion Engine

2. Internal Combustion Engine

External Combustion Engine: External Combustion Engines, as the name suggests are those where the burning of fuel takes place outside the engines. The best example of an external combustion engine is Steam Engine.

Internal Combustion Engine: Internal Combustion Engines, as the name suggests are those where the combustion of fuel takes place inside the engines. Two-stroke and Four-stroke diesel engines are examples of Internal Combustion engines.

Types of Internal Combustion Engines

Internal Combustion Engines are of different types. They are classified based on different factors.

Depending on the Cycle of Operation

1. Otto Bicycle Engines: These engines work on Otto cycles.

2. Diesel Cycle Engines: Engines that work on the diesel cycle are called Diesel Cycle Engines.

3. Dual bicycle Engines: Engines that work on both Diesel, as well as Otto cycles, are termed Dual bicycle Engines or semi Diesel Bicycle Engines.

Depending on the type of Ignition

1. Spark-Ignition Engine- Spark Engines are those which have a spark plug mounted on the head of the engine. After the fuels are compressed a spark is produced which ignites the combustion of the air-fuel mixture. The best example of a spark engine is a Petrol engine.

2. Compression- Ignition Engine- Compression Engines do not have a spark plug to induce ignition. The ignition takes place through the heat of compressed air. The best example of a Compression-Ignition Engine is Diesel Engine.

Based on the Cylinder Arrangement

1. Vertical Engine- Engines that have a vertical arrangement of cylinders are called Vertical engines.

2. Horizontal Engine- Engines that have a horizontal arrangement of cylinders are called horizontal engines.

3. Radial Engine- Also known as Star Engine, it is commonly used in Aircraft engines. This is a type of reciprocating internal combustion engine where cylinders protrude outwards like wheel spokes forming a shape of a star.

4. V-Engine- The two cylinders in V-Engines are placed in two banks with a certain angle formed between them. The angle between two cylinders is kept as small as possible to prevent vibrations and avoid balancing problems.

5. W-type Engine- If 12 cylinders or 16 cylinders engines are formed then a W-type engine is made. It is formed by keeping cylinders in three rows such that a W-shaped arrangement is formed.

6. Reverse Cylinder Engine- When an arrangement is formed where cylinders are formed opposite to each other it is called a Reverse Cylinder Engine. The speed of the Pistons and connecting rods are the same. It runs extremely smoothly and has more balance.

Based on the Type of Cooling

1. Air-Cooled- Engines in which disassembling of cylinder barrels takes place to provide surface area to increase cooling are called Air-cooled engines. They are commonly used in scooters and motorcycles.

2. Water-Cooled- Engines, where water is used as a cooling agent, are called Water-Cooled. These Engines are widely used in cars, buses, trucks, heavy-duty motor vehicles, etc. Water is also mixed with an anti-freezing agent so that the water doesn’t freeze in cold weather.

Valve Arrangement

Based on how inlet and exhaust valves are arranged engines are differently classified. Valves can be arranged on the engine head or block. On this basis, engines are of four types.

1. L-Head Engine- An engine, where the inlet and exhaust valve are arranged together, is called an L-Head Engine. These valves are operated through a camshaft. An inverted L-shape is formed by the arrangement of the cylinder and combustion chamber.

2. I-Head Engine- When exhaust and inlet valves are mounted on the cylinder head, the I-Engine is formed. There is a single valve responsible for activating all the other valves. These engines are mostly used in automobiles.

3. F-Head Engine- When a valve is present in the inlet valve head and the exhaust valve is located in the cylinder block, this arrangement forms F-Head Engine. Both of these valves are operated through a common camshaft.

4. T-Head Engine- When the inlet valve and outlet valve are located on either side of the cylinders, a T-Head Engine is formed. Two camshafts are needed to operate the valves.

Based on the Number of Strokes

1. Hot Spot Ignition Engine- Engines that are no longer in use.

2. Two-Stroke Engine- An engine in which the piston is activated twice to produce a power stroke is known as a two-stroke engine.

3. Four-Stroke Engine- An engine in which the piston is activated four times (twice upwards and twice downwards) to produce a power stroke is known as a four-stroke Engine.

Based on Fuel Consumption

1. Petrol Engine- Engines that run on petrol are called Petrol Engines.

2. Diesel Engine- Engines that run on Diesel are called Diesel Engines.

3. Gas Engine- Engines that work on gas are called Gas Engines

Conclusion

From what we read so far Engines are broadly classified as Internal Combustion Engines and External Combustion Engines. Engines are used to convert Heat Energy to speed. Then we classified ICE(Internal Combustion Engines) into various types depending on various factors. Thus, an Engine is a device used to convert one form of energy to another. These engines convert heat energy into work through various thermodynamic processes.