Pro Vehicles

Engines

Engines, simply defined, are mechanical devices used to build power for equipment. Scientifically defined, an engine is a closed-cycle heat regenerator that often works with gas. The engine has a piston, which is pushed by the power of gas explosion. An engine can be categorized as an external heat engine as long as it is driven by any source of heat.

Engine Types

The conversion of heat to mechanical work is the most basic concept of an engine. Factors involved are friction, tensile strength, thermal conductivity, melting point, creep and rupture strength.

There are many types of engines. The first type is the internal combustion engine, which the following variations:

  • Four-stroke engine (Otto)
  • Atkinson
  • Two-stroke
  • Gnome rotary
  • Wankel
  • Jet propulsion, which runs with the use of gas and air

The second type is the steam engine, which, as its name suggests, makes use of the power of steam to run. Examples of common steam engines are:

  • Locomotive
  • Coomber
  • Oscillating
  • Grasshopper beam
  • Watt beam
  • Revolving cylinder
  • CO2
  • Newcomen

The third type, called the sterling engine, has the potential to use renewable heat sources and is usually quiet as compared to other types of engines. Examples of the sterling engine are:

  • Two-cylinder
  • Ross Yoke
  • Single-cylinder

Necessary Aspects of a Working Engine

The process of running an engine can be studied by taking note of the four strokes, which are:

  • Intake
  • Power
  • Compression
  • Exhaust

Oil makes the engine run smoothly. As long as there is oil, the engine would continue to run in top condition. Oil is pumped using pressure and it is carried to all moving parts of an engine. The oil pump does this duty. Oil pumps are found at the bottom of an engine and are connected to the camshaft or the crankshaft by a certain gear. When the engine is running, the oil pump continuously pumps oil to the moving parts. Oil pressure is an important aspect to a running engine.

The next time you ride your car or get on a bus, think of the science that is put into good use with all the engine types in these vehicles. Engines have, indeed, played a great part in modernizing the UK and the world in general.

Posts