heat engine

/hit ˌɛndʒən/

Other forms: heat engines

Definitions of heat engine

1. noun

   any engine that makes use of heat to do work
   types:

   external-combustion engine

   a heat engine in which ignition occurs outside the chamber (cylinder or turbine) in which heat is converted to mechanical energy

   ICE, internal-combustion engine

   a heat engine in which combustion occurs inside the engine rather than in a separate furnace; heat expands a gas that either moves a piston or turns a gas turbine

   diesel, diesel engine, diesel motor

   an internal-combustion engine that burns heavy oil

   four-stroke engine, four-stroke internal-combustion engine

   an internal-combustion engine in which an explosive mixture is drawn into the cylinder on the first stroke and is compressed and ignited on the second stroke; work is done on the third stroke and the products of combustion are exhausted on the fourth stroke

   gas engine

   an internal-combustion engine similar to a gasoline engine but using natural gas instead of gasoline vapor

   gasoline engine, petrol engine

   an internal-combustion engine that burns gasoline; most automobiles are driven by gasoline engines

   outboard, outboard motor

   internal-combustion engine that mounts at stern of small boat

   radial engine, rotary engine

   an internal-combustion engine having cylinders arranged radially around a central crankcase

   reciprocating engine

   an internal-combustion engine in which the crankshaft is turned by pistons moving up and down in cylinders

   rotary engine

   an internal-combustion engine in which power is transmitted directly to rotating components

   steam engine

   external-combustion engine in which heat is used to raise steam which either turns a turbine or forces a piston to move up and down in a cylinder

   valve-in-head engine

   internal-combustion engine having both inlet and exhaust valves located in the cylinder head

   type of:

   engine

   motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work