reciprocating engine
Back-and-forth powerplant
A reciprocating engine converts the back-and-forth motion of pistons into rotational power.
Internal combustion engines in cars, lawnmowers, and chainsaws are reciprocating engines—fuel ignites, pushing pistons that turn a crankshaft.
The term distinguishes these from rotary engines, turbines, and electric motors that operate on different principles.
Reciprocating cylinder component
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- crankshaftRotating engine shaft
- connecting rodPiston-to-crankshaft linkage
- camshaftLobed rod operating valves
valvetrain · intake valve · exhaust valve · combustion chamber · spark plug · flywheel · carburetor · fuel injection
Engine completing cycle in four stages
- two-strokeEngine firing each revolution
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- power strokeCombustion-driven piston movement
exhaust stroke · intake stroke · ignition · firing order · idle · throttle · rev · displacement
Fuel ignites in cylinders
- gasolineRefined petroleum vehicle fuel
- dieselCompression-ignition fuel
- sedanEnclosed passenger car
- truckHeavy freight vehicle
motorcycle · carburetor · fuel injection · exhaust manifold · catalytic converter · muffler · radiator · transmission
Rate of mechanical work
- torqueRotational force measurement
- power outputEnergy delivered per time
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- fuel economyVehicle efficiency rating
emissions · turbocharger · supercharger · aspiration · knock · detonation · misfiring · tuning
Electricity-producing machine
- pumpFluid-moving machine
- compressorPressure-increasing mechanical device
- powerplantFacility producing electricity
- locomotiveRailway pulling machine
oil field · irrigation · sawmill · backup power · cogeneration · heavy-duty
Rotating blades creating thrust
- aeroengineAircraft propulsion unit
- warbirdRestored vintage military aircraft
- biplaneAircraft with two wing levels
- monoplaneSingle-wing aircraft
piper · taildragger · cowling · magneto · air-cooled · Pratt & Whitney · barnstormer · propwash
Repeated back-and-forth movement
- linear motionDisplacement along a line
- kinetic energyPower from movement
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
counterweight · inertia · mechanical advantage · power transmission
piston
Reciprocating cylinder component
- cylinderCircular-based solid form
- crankshaftRotating engine shaft
- connecting rodPiston-to-crankshaft linkage
camshaft · valvetrain · intake valve · exhaust valve · combustion chamber · spark plug · flywheel · carburetor · fuel injection · timing belt
four-stroke
Engine completing cycle in four stages
- two-strokeEngine firing each revolution
- compressionForcing into smaller space
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
power stroke · exhaust stroke · intake stroke · ignition · firing order · idle · throttle · rev · displacement · bore
internal combustion
Fuel ignites in cylinders
truck · motorcycle · carburetor · fuel injection · exhaust manifold · catalytic converter · muffler · radiator · transmission · drivetrain
horsepower
Rate of mechanical work
- torqueRotational force measurement
- power outputEnergy delivered per time
- efficiencyProductive without waste
fuel economy · emissions · turbocharger · supercharger · aspiration · knock · detonation · misfiring · tuning · dynamometer
generator
Electricity-producing machine
- pumpFluid-moving machine
- compressorPressure-increasing mechanical device
- powerplantFacility producing electricity
locomotive · oil field · irrigation · sawmill · backup power · cogeneration · heavy-duty
propeller
Rotating blades creating thrust
- aeroengineAircraft propulsion unit
- warbirdRestored vintage military aircraft
- biplaneAircraft with two wing levels
monoplane · piper · taildragger · cowling · magneto · air-cooled · Pratt & Whitney · barnstormer · propwash
oscillation
Repeated back-and-forth movement
- linear motionDisplacement along a line
- kinetic energyPower from movement
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
balance · counterweight · inertia · mechanical advantage · power transmission
- enginesV8, turbine, outboard motor, electric motor, inline-six
- steam enginesboiler, piston, cylinder, steam boiler, firebox
- steam powersteam, steam power, steam turbine, steam turbines, steam generator
- power plantspower plant, power station, generating station, nuclear plant, coal plant
reciprocating enginerotary engine
Engine with orbiting cylinders
turbine · gas turbine · steam turbine · jet engine · turbine engine
reciprocating engineturbine engine
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