lämpömoottorin

Lämpömoottori is a Finnish term that translates to "heat engine" in English. A heat engine is a device that converts thermal energy into mechanical work. This process is fundamental to many modern technologies, including power generation and transportation. The operation of a heat engine is governed by the principles of thermodynamics, specifically the first and second laws. The first law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. In a heat engine, thermal energy from a hot source is converted into work, with some energy inevitably lost as waste heat to a colder sink. The second law dictates that such a conversion is never 100% efficient; there will always be some energy loss.

There are several types of heat engines, broadly categorized as internal combustion engines and external combustion engines. In internal combustion engines, fuel is burned directly within the engine's combustion chamber, with the expanding gases producing mechanical force. Examples include gasoline and diesel engines. External combustion engines, on the other hand, burn fuel outside the working cylinder, with the heat then transferred to a working fluid, such as steam, which drives the engine. Steam engines and Stirling engines are examples of external combustion engines. The efficiency of a heat engine is a critical factor in its design and application, with engineers continuously seeking ways to improve performance and reduce energy waste.