forbrændingsmotoren

Forbrændingsmotoren, or internal combustion engine, is a heat engine where the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. The expansion of the high-temperature and high-pressure gas products of combustion applies direct force to some component of the engine, such as pistons or turbine blades, resulting in useful work.

There are several types of internal combustion engines. The most common are reciprocating piston engines, which are found in cars, motorcycles, and many other vehicles. These engines work by burning fuel in cylinders, which pushes pistons up and down. This linear motion is then converted into rotational motion by a crankshaft.

Another type is the gas turbine engine, which is used in jet aircraft and power generation. In these engines, fuel is burned in a combustion chamber, and the hot gases produced spin a turbine. Rotary engines, like the Wankel engine, are less common but offer a more compact design for their power output.

The efficiency of internal combustion engines is measured by how much of the fuel's energy is converted into useful work. While they have been a cornerstone of transportation and industry for over a century, they also contribute to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, driving research into alternative power sources and more efficient engine designs.