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Essay Archive - Internal Combustion Engines
Internal Combustion Engines
An internal-combustion engine is a heat engine that burns fuel and air
inside a combustion chamber located within the engine proper. Simply stated, a
heat engine is an engine that converts heat energy to mechanical energy. The
internal- combustion engine should be distinguished from the external-
combustion engine, for example, the steam engine and the Stirling engine, which
burns fuel outside the prime mover, that is, the device that actually produces
mechanical motion. Both basic types produce hot, expanding gases, which may then
be employed to move pistons, turn turbine rotors, or cause locomotio....
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