combustion engine
Burns fuel, moves
A combustion engine converts fuel into mechanical energy by burning it—typically gasoline or diesel igniting inside cylinders to drive pistons.
The term usually means internal combustion engine, distinguishing it from external combustion engines like steam engines where fuel burns outside the working chamber.
Combustion engines power most cars, trucks, and aircraft.
Reciprocating cylinder component
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- crankshaftRotating engine shaft
- camshaftLobed rod operating valves
- spark plugElectrical ignition component
carburetor · fuel injection · valvetrain · connecting rod · flywheel · cylinder head · head gasket · intake manifold
Starting combustion process
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- four-strokeEngine completing cycle in four stages
- two-strokeEngine firing each revolution
- intakeAmount received or consumed
exhaust · power stroke · firing order · detonation · knocking · idle · rev · displacement
Rate of mechanical work
- torqueRotational force measurement
- turbochargerExhaust-powered engine booster
- superchargerEngine air compressor
- intercoolerHeat exchanger for compressed air
forced induction · naturally aspirated · fuel efficiency · emissions · catalytic converter · exhaust system · cold air intake · tuning
Transferred thermal energy
- cooling systemHeat management mechanism
- radiatorHeat transfer device
- thermostatAutomatic climate control device
- coolantTemperature-regulating fluid
water jacket · oil cooler · heat dissipation · operating temperature · overheating · thermal efficiency · heat exchanger · fan
Arranged in sequence
- flatLacking vertical variation
- boxerCombat sport competitor
- rotaryInvolving circular motion
- dieselCompression-ignition fuel
gasoline · V8 · straight-six · hemi · overhead cam · DOHC · big block · outboard
Self-propelled passenger conveyance
- motorcyclePowered two-wheeler
- lawnmowerMachine that trims grass
- chainsawMotor-driven cutting tool
- generatorElectricity-producing machine
outboard motor · go-kart · ATV · snowmobile · tractor · forklift · locomotive · aircraft
piston
Reciprocating cylinder component
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- crankshaftRotating engine shaft
- camshaftLobed rod operating valves
spark plug · carburetor · fuel injection · valvetrain · connecting rod · flywheel · cylinder head · head gasket · intake manifold · exhaust manifold
ignition
Starting combustion process
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- four-strokeEngine completing cycle in four stages
- two-strokeEngine firing each revolution
intake · exhaust · power stroke · firing order · detonation · knocking · idle · rev · displacement · bore
horsepower
Rate of mechanical work
- torqueRotational force measurement
- turbochargerExhaust-powered engine booster
- superchargerEngine air compressor
intercooler · forced induction · naturally aspirated · fuel efficiency · emissions · catalytic converter · exhaust system · cold air intake · tuning · displacement
heat
Transferred thermal energy
- cooling systemHeat management mechanism
- radiatorHeat transfer device
- thermostatAutomatic climate control device
coolant · water jacket · oil cooler · heat dissipation · operating temperature · overheating · thermal efficiency · heat exchanger · fan · antifreeze
inline
Arranged in sequence
diesel · gasoline · V8 · straight-six · hemi · overhead cam · DOHC · big block · outboard
automobile
Self-propelled passenger conveyance
- motorcyclePowered two-wheeler
- lawnmowerMachine that trims grass
- chainsawMotor-driven cutting tool
generator · outboard motor · go-kart · ATV · snowmobile · tractor · forklift · locomotive · aircraft · boat
- automotivecars, car, trucks, truck, buses
- Innovationselectricity, printing press, telephone, telegraph, automobile
- machinerymachinery, industrial machinery, motors, motor, machines
- enginesV8, turbine, outboard motor, electric motor, inline-six
- inventionsprinting press, lightbulb, light bulb, microscope, antibiotics
- propulsionjet, rocket, thrusting, jets, rockets
combustion engineelectric motor
Converts current to motion
electric engine · hydrogen fuel cell · fuel cell · wind turbine · steam engine
engine, engineer, engineering, engines, combustible, engineers, combustion, engineered, incombustible