Thermal engines

Internal combustion engines (IC engines)

External combustion engines (EC engines)
Reaction engines
Electrical engines
Physical engines
1. Electric Motors: Electric motors convert electrical energy into mechanical
energy. They are widely used in appliances, industrial machinery, and
electric vehicles.
2. Steam Engines: Steam engines use steam to generate mechanical work.
They played a crucial role in the industrial revolution and are still used in
some niche applications today.
3. Jet Engines: Jet engines, also known as gas turbines, are commonly used in
aviation for propulsion. They work by expelling high-speed exhaust gases to
generate thrust.
4. Rocket Engines: Rocket engines are used in space exploration and for
launching spacecraft. They operate on the principle of action and reaction,
expelling mass at high speeds to produce thrust.
5. Turboprop Engines: Turboprop engines combine a gas turbine (similar to a
jet engine) with a propeller. They are commonly used in smaller aircraft and
some military vehicles.
6. Stirling Engines: Stirling engines are external combustion engines that
operate on the temperature difference between a hot and cold source. They
are known for their high efficiency and low emissions and have been used in
some power generation and heating applications.
7. Wankel Engines: Wankel engines are rotary engines that use an eccentric
rotor to convert pressure into rotational motion. They were used in some
automotive applications, although they are less common today.
8. Hydraulic Engines: Hydraulic engines use pressurized fluids to generate
mechanical motion. They are often used in heavy machinery and hydraulic
systems for various industrial applications.
9. Pneumatic Engines: Pneumatic engines use compressed air to produce
mechanical work. They are used in some industrial processes and tools.
10.Electric Generator Engines: These engines are designed specifically to
generate electricity. They can be powered by various energy sources such as
diesel, natural gas, or renewable resources like wind or solar.
11.Nuclear Engines: Nuclear thermal and nuclear electric engines are
theoretical propulsion systems that use nuclear reactions to generate thrust in
spacecraft. They have been explored for potential use in deep space
missions.
12.External Combustion Engines: These engines, like the Stirling engine
mentioned earlier, rely on an external heat source to generate power. They
include various types, such as steam engines and some modern heat engines
for power generation.