Different Types of Engine

August 25, 2016 Pankaj Mishra 1 Comment Automobile

In this article we will learn about different types of engine. The classification of the engines depends
upon the types of fuel used, cycle of operation, number of stroke, type of ignition, number of
cylinders, arrangement of cylinders, valve arrangement, types of cooling etc. these engines are used
in different areas such as in automotive industries, aircraft industries, marine industries, etc.
according to their suitability they are used in different areas. So let’s discuss about different engine
types one by one.

How Car Engines Work

BY MARSHALL BRAIN & KRISTEN HALL-GEISLER

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Basic Engine Parts

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Figure 2. Inline: The cylinders are arranged in a line in a single bank.

HOWSTUFFWORKS

The core of the engine is the cylinder, with the piston moving up and down inside
the cylinder. Single cylinder engines are typical of most lawn mowers, but usually
cars have more than one cylinder (four, six and eight cylinders are common). In a
multi-cylinder engine, the cylinders usually are arranged in one of three
ways: inline, V or flat(also known as horizontally opposed or boxer), as shown in
the figures to the left.

So that inline four we mentioned at the beginning is an engine with four cylinders
arranged in a line. Different configurations have different advantages and
disadvantages in terms of smoothness, manufacturing cost and shape
characteristics. These advantages and disadvantages make them more suitable
for certain vehicles.
Figure 3. V: The cylinders are arranged in two banks set at an angle to one another.
HOWSTUFFWORKS

Figure 4. Flat: The cylinders are arranged in two banks on opposite sides of the engine.
HOWSTUFFWORKS

Let's look at some key engine parts in more detail.

Spark plug
The spark plug supplies the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture so that
combustion can occur. The spark must happen at just the right moment for things
to work properly.

Valves
 The intake and exhaust valves open at the proper time to let in air and fuel and to
let out exhaust. Note that both valves are closed during compression and
combustion so that the combustion chamber is sealed.

Piston
A piston is a cylindrical piece of metal that moves up and down inside the
cylinder.

Piston Rings
Piston rings provide a sliding seal between the outer edge of the piston and the
inner edge of the cylinder. The rings serve two purposes:

 They prevent the fuel/air mixture and exhaust in the combustion chamber from
leaking into the sump during compression and combustion.
 They keep oil in the sump from leaking into the combustion area, where it
would be burned and lost.
Most cars that "burn oil" and have to have a quart added every 1,000 miles are
burning it because the engine is old and the rings no longer seal things properly.
Many modern vehicles use more advance materials for piston rings. That's one of
the reasons why engines last longer and can go longer between oil changes.

Connecting rod
The connecting rod connects the piston to the crankshaft. It can rotate at both
ends so that its angle can change as the piston moves and the crankshaft
rotates.

Crankshaft
The crankshaft turns the piston's up-and-down motion into circular motion just
like a crank on a jack-in-the-box does.

Sump
The sump surrounds the crankshaft. It contains some amount of oil, which
collects in the bottom of the sump (the oil pan)

Types of Engine
Basically the engines are of two types, and these are external combustion engines and internal
combustion engines.

(i). External combustion engine: In external combustion engine, the combustion of fuel takes place
outside the engine. Example: steam engine.

(ii). Internal combustion engine: In internal combustion engine, the combustion of fuel takes place
inside the engine. Two stroke and four stroke petrol and diesel engine are the examples of internal
combustion engine.

There are different types of internal combustion (I.C.) engine and there classification depends upon
various basis.

The I.C. engines are classified on the following basis:

1. Types of Design
(i). Reciprocating engine: In reciprocating engine, there is a piston and
cylinder, the piston does reciprocating (to and Fro) motion within the cylinder.
Due to the reciprocating motion of the piston, it is called reciprocating engine. 2
stroke and four stroke engines are the common examples of reciprocating
engine.
(ii). Rotary engine: In rotary engine, the rotor does rotary motion to produce
power. There is no reciprocating motion. A rotor is present in the chamber which
does rotary motion inside a chamber. Wankel rotary engine , turbine engines are
the rotary types of engine.
2. Types of Fuel Used
On the basis of types of fuel used, the engine is classified as petrol engine, diesel engine and gas
engine.

(i). Petrol engine: The engine which uses petrol for its working is called petrol engine.

(ii). Diesel engine: The engine which uses diesel for its working is called diesel engine.

(iii). Gas engine: An engine using gas fuel for the working is called gas engine.

3.Cycle of Operation
On the basis of cycle of operation the engine types are:

(i). Otto cycle engine: These types of engine works on Otto cycle.
(ii). Diesel cycle engine: The engine working on diesel cycle is called diesel cycle engine.
(iii). Dual cycle engine or semi-diesel cycle engine: The engine that works on both diesel as well as
Otto cycle is called dual cycle engine or semi diesel cycle engine.
4.Number of Strokes
On the basis of number of stroke, the types of engine are:

(i). Four Stroke Engine: It is an engine in which the piston moves four times i.e.2 upward (form
BDC to TDC) and 2 downward (from TDC to BDC) movement in one cycle of power stroke is called
four stroke engines.

Four Stroke Engine

(ii). Two Stroke Engine: The engine in which the piston does two times motion i.e. one from TDC
to BDC and other from BDC to TDC to produce a power stroke is called two stroke engines.
 Two Stroke Engine

(iii). Hot spot ignition engine: This type of engine is not in practical use.

5. Type of Ignition
On the basis of ignition, the engines are classified as:

(i). Spark ignition engine (S.I. engine): In spark ignition engine there is a spark plug which is
fitted at the engine head. The spark plug produces spark after the compression of the fuel and ignites
the air fuel mixture for the combustion. The petrol engines are spark ignition engine.
(ii). Compression ignition engine (C.I. engine): In Compression ignition engine there is no
spark plug at the cylinder head. The fuel is ignited by the heat of the compressed air. The diesel
engines are compression ignition engine.
Also Read:
 How Free Piston Engine Works?
 Valve Timing Diagram of Two Stroke and Four Stroke Engine
 How DTSi Engine Works – Explained?
6. Number of Cylinders
On the basis of number of cylinders present in the engine, the types of engine are:
(i). Single cylinder engine: An engine which consists of single cylinder is called single cylinder
engine. Generally the single cylinder engines are used in motorcycles, scooter, etc.

(ii). Double cylinder engine: The engine which consists of two cylinders is called double cylinder
engine.

(iii). Multi cylinder engine: An engine which consists of more than two cylinders is called multi
cylinder engine. The multi cylinder engine may have three, four, six, eight, twelve and sixteen
cylinder.

7. Arrangement of Cylinders
On the basis of arrangement of cylinders the engines classification is:
(i). Vertical engine: in vertical engines, the cylinders are arranged in vertical position as shown in
the diagram.

(ii). Horizontal engine: In horizontal engines, the cylinders are placed horizontal position as shown
in the diagram given below.

(iii). Radial engine: The radial engine is reciprocating type internal combustion engine
configuration in which the cylinders radiate outward from a central crankcase like the spokes of a
wheel. When it is viewed from the front, it resembles a stylized star and is called a ‘star’ engine.
Before the gas turbine engine is not become predominant, it is commonly used for aircraft engines.

(iv). V-engine: In v types of engine, the cylinders are placed in two banks having some angle
between them. The angle between the two banks is keep as small as possible to prevent vibration and
balancing problem.

(v). W type engine: In w type engines, the cylinders are arranged in three rows such that it forms W
type arrangement. W type engine is made when 12 cylinder and 16 cylinder engines are produced.

(vi). Opposed cylinder engine: In opposed cylinder engine, the cylinders are place opposite to each
other. The piston and the connecting rod show identical movement. It is runs smoothly and has more
balancing. The size of the opposed cylinder engine increase because of its arrangement.

8. Valve Arrangement
According to the valve arrangement of the inlet and exhaust valve in various positions in the cylinder
head or block, the automobile engines are classified into four categories. These arrangements are
named as ‘L’, ‘I’, ‘F’ and ‘T’. It is easy to remember the word ‘LIFT’ to recall the four valve
arrangement.
(i). L-head engine: In these types of engine, the inlet and exhaust valves are arranged side by side
and operated by a single camshaft. The cylinder and combustion chamber forms and inverted L.

(ii). I-head engine: In I-head engines, the inlet and exhaust valves are located in the cylinder
head. A single valve actuates all the valves. These types of engine are mostly used in automobiles.

(iii). F-head engine: It is a combination of I-head and F-head engines. In this, one valve usually inlet
valve is in the head and the exhaust valve lies in the cylinder block. Both the sets of valve are
operated by the single camshaft.

(iv). T-head engine: In T-head engines, the inlet valve located at one side and the exhaust valve on
other side of the cylinder. Here two camshafts are required to operate, one for the inlet valve and
other one is for the exhaust valve.
 Also Read:
 Types of Gearbox – Complete Explanation
 Torque Converter Working, Principle, Main Parts and Application.
 Types of Supercharger in Automobile
9. Types of cooling
On the basis of types of cooling, the engines are classified as:

(i). Air cooled engines: In these engines, the air is used to cool the engines. In air cooled engines the
cylinder barrels are separated and metal fins are used which provides radiating surface area that
increase cooling. The air cooled engines are generally used in motorcycles and scooters.

(ii). Water cooled engines: In water cooled engines, the water is used for the cooling of engine.
Water cooled engines are used in cars, buses, trucks and other four wheeled vehicles, heavy duty
motor vehicles. An anti-freezing agent is added in the water to prevent it from freezing during cold
weather. Every water cooled engines has radiator for the cooling of hot water from the engine.

Beside above types of engine, the internal combustion engine is also classified on the basis of
the following.

1. Speed:
On the basis of speed, the types of engines are:

(i). Low speed engine

(ii). Medium speed engine
(iii). High speed engine

2. Method of Fuel Injection

On the basis of method of fuel injection the engines are classified as:

(i). Carburettor engine

(ii). Air injection engine
(iii). Airless or solid injection engine

3. Method of Governing
(i). Hit and miss governed engine: It is an engine type in which the entry of the fuel is controlled by
the governor. It controls the speed of the engine by cutting off the ignition and fuel supply of the
engine at very high speed.

(ii). Qualitatively governed engine

(iii). Quantitatively governed engine

4. Application
(i). Stationary engine: Stationary engine is an engine in which its framework does not move. It is
used to drive immobile equipment like pump, generator, mill or factory machinery etc.

(ii). Automotive engine: These are the types of engines which are used in automobile industries. For
example: petrol engine, diesel engine, gas engine are internal combustion engines falls in the
category of automotive engine.

(iii). Locomotive engine: The engines which are used in trains are called locomotive engines.

(iv). Marine engine: The engines which are used in marines for boat or ship propulsion is called
marine engine.

(v). Aircraft engine: Types of engine which are used in aircraft is called aircraft engine. Radial and
gas turbine engines are used in aircraft propulsion.

This is all about the different types of engine, if you find anything missing or incorrect than don’t
forget to comment us. And if you enjoy this article than like and share us on Facebook

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Probably the most intuitive way to differentiate between them is the type of
energy each engine uses for power.