The piston-type internal combustion engine traces its origins back to the work of the Dutch physicist Christiaan Huygens, who explored using gunpowder explosions for power. However, this early attempt failed due to the difficulty in controlling gunpowder combustion. In 1794, British inventor Robert Stirling proposed using fuel combustion to generate power and introduced the concept of mixing fuel with air for the first time. This marked a significant step forward in the development of combustion engines. In the mid-1800s, scientists refined the theory behind converting heat from burning gases, gasoline, and diesel into mechanical power. This theoretical foundation paved the way for the invention of the internal combustion engine. Since the 1860s, piston engines have undergone continuous improvements and evolved into a mature technology. They offer high thermal efficiency, a wide range of power and speed, and excellent maneuverability, making them ideal for numerous applications. Today, they power everything from cars and tractors to construction equipment, small power stations, and even military tanks. Marine vessels, aircraft, and many other vehicles also rely on internal combustion engines, which remain the most widely used type of power machinery worldwide. Various internal combustion engine designs were proposed over time, but practical implementation didn't occur until the mid-19th century. In 1860, French engineer Étienne Lenoir developed the first practical gas engine by modeling a steam engine. It was an uncompressed, electrically ignited engine that used illuminating gas and had a thermal efficiency of about 4%. Lenoir also introduced the first spring piston ring in an internal combustion engine, setting the stage for future advancements. Later, British engineer Barnett suggested compressing the fuel-air mixture before ignition, which sparked discussions on how compression could significantly improve engine efficiency. In 1862, French scientist Alphonse Beau de Rochas conducted a theoretical analysis of the internal combustion process and proposed the four-stroke cycle, which became the foundation for modern engines. In 1876, German engineer Nikolaus Otto applied Rochas’ principles to create the first four-stroke internal combustion engine. It was a single-cylinder, horizontal engine that produced 3.2 kW (4.4 hp) of power, ran at 156.7 rpm, and had a compression ratio of 2.66 with a thermal efficiency of 14%. This was a major breakthrough in engine design and performance at the time. Over the years, Otto's engine continued to evolve. By 1880, the power output reached 11–15 kW (15–20 hp), and by 1893, it had increased to 150 kW. As the compression ratio improved, so did the thermal efficiency, rising from 15.5% in 1886 to as high as 20–26% by 1897. Meanwhile, in 1881, British engineer Charles Clark developed the first two-stroke gas engine, which was later showcased at the Paris World Exhibition. As oil production expanded, gasoline and diesel—more transportable than gas—gained attention. The first tests focused on gasoline. In 1883, German engineer Gottlieb Daimler created the first vertical gasoline engine, known for its lightweight and high-speed operation. While other engines operated below 200 rpm, Daimler’s reached 800 rpm, making it ideal for vehicle applications. From 1885 to 1886, gasoline engines were successfully used in vehicles, greatly advancing the automobile industry. This mutual development between engines and vehicles led to widespread adoption of gasoline engines in boats and other machines. In 1892, German engineer Rudolf Diesel was inspired by dust explosions in flour mills. He envisioned compressing air inside the cylinder to a temperature high enough to ignite the fuel automatically. His compression-ignition engine, developed in 1897, opened new possibilities for internal combustion engine design. Although it couldn’t fully achieve the Carnot cycle, it achieved an approximate isobaric combustion with a thermal efficiency of 26%, which was groundbreaking at the time. Diesel’s engine quickly gained global interest. It was first used in stationary generators in 1898, then in merchant ships in 1903, in a ship in 1904, and in the first diesel-powered locomotive in 1913. By the 1920s, diesel engines were being used in automobiles and agricultural machinery, further cementing their importance in transportation and industry. Before the rise of the reciprocating piston engine, engineers experimented with rotary piston designs, but none succeeded. In 1954, German engineer Felix Wankel solved the sealing issue and developed the Wankel engine in 1957. This engine features a triangular rotor rotating within a specially shaped chamber, operating on the Otto cycle. It offers high power, compact size, low vibration, and ease of maintenance. However, its poor fuel economy, low torque at low speeds, and emissions issues limited its use to specific car models. Humidity Controller,Temp And Humidity Controller,Auto Humidity Controller,Automatic Humidity Controller Yuyao Gongyi Meter Co.,Ltd. , https://www.yycj.com