How To Classify The Engine Types? (3)
1.By type of ignition
1.1 Spark ignition engine (S.I. engine): In this type of engine, in each cylinder there is a spark plug installed on cylinder head. The spark plug produces spark after the compression of the fuel and ignites the air fuel mixture for the combustion. For example, natural gas engine and petrol engine.
1.2 Compression ignition engine (C.I. engine): In this type of engine, the fuel is ignited by the heat of the compressed air instead of spark plug. Most common type is diesel engine.
2.By number of cylinders
2.1 Single cylinder engine: generally, the single cylinder engines are used in motorcycles, scooter, some agricultural machines and etc., this type of engine is also widely used on prototype engine development.
2.2 Double cylinder engine: which is seldomly used nowadays mainly due to balance issue.
2.3 Multi-cylinder engine: An engine which consists of more than two cylinders is called multi cylinder engine. Usually there are three, four, five, six, eight, ten, twelve and sixteen, eighteen and twenty cylinders while four-, six-, eight-, twelve- and sixteen-cylinder engine are more widely used.
3. By arrangement of Cylinders
3.1 Inline engine, which is mostly common engine.
3.2 V (Vee) engine
3.3 W engine
3.4 Horizontal and boxer engine: the cylinders are placed horizontal position as shown.
3.5 Radial engine: which is reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders radiate outward from a central crankcase. Mostly used for aircraft engines before gas turbine engines became predominant.
