Engine Classification

Release time:

2024-03-26

An external combustion engine is an engine where the fuel burns outside the engine. It was invented by Robert Stirling of Scotland in 1816.

External Combustion Engine
An external combustion engine is an engine where the fuel burns outside the engine. Invented in 1816 by Robert Stirling of Scotland, it is also known as a Stirling engine. This type of engine converts the heat generated by combustion into kinetic energy. Watt's improved steam engine is a typical example of an external combustion engine. When a large amount of coal is burned to generate heat and heat water into a large amount of steam, high pressure is generated, which in turn drives the machinery to do work, thus completing the conversion of thermal energy into kinetic energy.
Internal Combustion Engine
Understanding what an external combustion engine is, one can understand what an internal combustion engine is. An internal combustion engine is a reciprocating piston engine. The biggest difference between this type of engine and an external combustion engine is that its fuel burns internally. There are many types of internal combustion engines; the common gasoline engine and diesel engine are typical examples of internal combustion engines.
Gas Turbine
In addition, there is a gas turbine, which works by burning fuel to generate high-pressure gas. The high-pressure gas is used to drive the rotation of the gas turbine blades, thereby outputting power. Gas turbines have a wide range of applications, but because it is difficult to finely adjust the output power, automobiles and motorcycles rarely use gas turbines; only some racing cars are equipped with gas turbines.
Jet Engine
A jet engine is an engine that directly uses the high-speed airflow ejected from a nozzle to generate thrust. It is widely used as a power plant for aircraft. Fuel and oxidizer undergo a chemical reaction in the combustion chamber, releasing thermal energy. Then, the thermal energy is converted into the function of regulating the nozzle airflow. In addition to fuel, the oxidizer carried by the aircraft is also called a rocket engine, including solid-fuel rocket engines and liquid-fuel rocket engines.