Engine vs.
Motor
The basic difference between a “motor” and an “engine” is that an engine converts
chemical energy of fuel into mechanical energy whereas a motor converts
electrical
energy into mechanical energy. The present-day motor, called the electric motor, is
a device that converts the electrical energy to mechanical energy. The electric
motor
can be broadly categorized into two classes: the AC motor and the DC motor. The
AC motor is driven by AC current, and the DC motor is run by DC electricity.
Both
of these may further be divided into various types depending on the power rating,
horsepower, etc.
Engines and motors are used to develop mechanical motion. There are many other
hidden differences:
-an engine converts chemical energy into mechanical energy, whereas a motor
converts electrical energy into mechanical energy
-an engine is run by fuel, whereas a motor is run by electricity
-an engine needs lubrication for continuous running, but a motor doesn't need
any
-an engine is made up of pistons and cylinders while a motor is made up of
rotors and stators
-for equal power engines are heavier than motors
-unlike motors engines are less efficient and produce more noise when
converting energy
An electric machine is a transducer for converting electrical energy to mechanical
energy or mechanical energy to electrical energy. Motors, generators, sensors,
electromagnets, electromagnetic amplifiers are all electric machines.
Types of Engines
Engines represent a class of machines which burn fuel (solid/liquid/gaseous) to
release the energy stored within the fuel. The energy thus released undergoes series
of transformation before it can be utilized to do some useful work.
There are internal combustion engines, external combustion engines, jet engines,
etc. Combustion engines can be classified in many categories regarding different
parameters such as engine design, operating cycle, number of strokes, number of
cylinders, fuels, method of ignition, valve actuation, arrangement of cylinders, and
so on.
On the basis of operation cycle engines may have two strokes, four strokes, six
strokes, etc. Most engines function as four stroke engines. Two stroke engines
have
limited application, while six stroke engines are still under development phase. On
the type of motion there are reciprocating and rotary engines. Reciprocating
engines are composed of the standard piston cylinder assembly that is extensively
used around the world. Rotary engines like the Wankel engines are not much used.
On the type of fuel there are diesel, petrol, CNG, ethanol, biodiesel engines, etc.
Out
of these, petrol and diesel engines are the most widely used in the automobile
industry.
Petrol engines are also known as SI engines or spark ignition engines. This type of
engine contains a spark plug that is used to ignite the air fuel mixture. Petrol
engines tend to be more smooth, quiet and produce more horsepower than a similar
diesel engine. Diesel engines are also known as CI or compression ignition
engines.
In this type of engine air is compressed to raise the temperature and the fuel is
ignited
in the cylinder. Diesel engines produce a lot of noise and vibrations. However, they
produce tremendous torque. Torque is calculated as a turning moment and is
therefore a measure of how much rotational force an engine can exert. Because of
their higher compression ratio, these engines tend to be heavy and expensive than
their petrol counterpart.
Jet engines, turbo shaft engines, turbo prop, turbofan engines (most of them have
application in aviation industry) also belong to internal combustion engines and are
known as continuous combustion engines.
One of the most popular example of external combustion engine today is steam
turbine which expends steam and converts its energy into useful work.
Moving parts
Engine speed is calculated in terms of RPM or revolutions per minute (often called
revs per minute). When moving parts (e.g. wheels) turn through complete
revolutions (rotation), it means that they revolve (rotate).
Normally when you are driving your vehicle in a lower gear you are getting lower
RPM while in a higher gear you are getting higher RPM. In other words, RPM is
the
number of rotations your engine’s crankshaft makes when your vehicle engine is
on. An engine designed to run at high speed is a high-revving engine.
Some components move backwards and forwards (reciprocating motion/action).
In machines, reciprocating motion is often converted into rotary motion (e.g. in a
piston).
Moving parts cause friction. There are several types of friction. Static friction, or
stiction, is the frictional resistance between two surfaces that are at rest. Dynamic
friction emerges between two surfaces that are already sliding against each other.
