intermittent-combustion engine

An intermittent-combustion engine is a type of internal-combustion engine where combustion occurs within the engine itself. Unlike continuous-combustion engines, intermittent engines ignite discrete volumes of air and fuel in a cyclic manner. This process generates hot gases that act on moving engine parts, like pistons, to produce useful work.1

Common examples of intermittent-combustion engines include gasoline piston engines and diesel engines. These engines are widely used, particularly in the ground transportation industry, due to their efficiency and power output. Their operation involves a series of distinct thermodynamic events that repeat in cycles.12