Mäntämoottori

Mäntämoottori is the Finnish term for a reciprocating engine, commonly known in English as a piston engine. This type of engine converts the pressure of expanding gas into reciprocating motion of a piston, which is then converted into rotational motion by a crankshaft. Mäntämoottorit are the most prevalent type of internal combustion engine found in vehicles, aircraft, and many industrial applications.

The basic principle of a mäntämoottori involves a cylinder containing a piston. In internal combustion variants, fuel is mixed with air and ignited within the cylinder, causing a rapid expansion of gases. This expansion pushes the piston down, driving the crankshaft. The cycle typically involves four strokes: intake, compression, combustion (power), and exhaust. The number of cylinders and their arrangement vary widely depending on the engine's design and intended use, from single-cylinder engines in lawnmowers to complex V12 engines in high-performance vehicles.

Mäntämoottorit can operate on various fuels, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and alcohol. They can also be designed as two-stroke or four-stroke engines, with the four-stroke design being more common due to its greater efficiency and lower emissions. Despite the rise of electric powertrains, the mäntämoottori remains a dominant technology due to its power density, established infrastructure, and cost-effectiveness for many applications. Ongoing research continues to focus on improving their efficiency and reducing their environmental impact.