Who Invented the Small Engine?
There are several types of engines which use a variety of power sources such as gas, electricity, steam and solar power. Each type of engine is built for a specific use in either a vehicle, tool and/or other useful mechanisms. The first engine was a steam engine, invented by Thomas Savery in 1698. His steam engine was used to pump water out of underground mines.
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History
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The first engines ran on steam. The first small engine invented for use in an automobile was invented by French engineer Alphonse Beau de Rochas in 1889. This engine was a four-step combustion engine which is still seen in cars around the world today. This particular engine was Alphonse Beau de Rochas's third public engine invention, as his previous inventions were too large for automobile usage.
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Function
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Engine powered toys Modern day technology combined with historical invention has been able to invent even smaller engines for tool and equipment usage, thanks to several inventors such as James Watt, Rochas and other inventors. Small engines can be found in toys, machinery and other sources, with even smaller engines possibly to be invented in the near future.
Size
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Future Prospects The world's smallest engine to date was invented at the University of California, Berkeley in 2001. With a hope to one-day replace batteries, the smallest engine produced only 2.5 watts of electricity, able to power a bicycle headlamp. The university has been experimenting towards increasing the power of their small engine.
Effects
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Thanks to the original inventors of different types of engines combined with modern science, new inventors are producing smaller, more efficient and environmentally friendly engines. Most engine inventors were simply seeking a faster and more efficient method of production within the profession they were employed in, at the time and succeeded.
Benefits
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Although small engines may not produce as much power as larger engines, they still produce on average 25hp. The speed of a small engine is enough to power a portable generator, lawnmower, auger and other similar tools. The parts of smaller engines are easily replaceable and repairable, without heavy lifting and with easy instruction.
References
- Photo Credit "Audi A6 2.5 TDI - Water pump replacement" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: whiskymac (Reg Mckenna) under the Creative Commons Attribution license. "Old Steam Train" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: aussiegall (Louise Docker) under the Creative Commons Attribution license. "roads and railways series #15" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: woodleywonderworks (woodley wonderworks) under the Creative Commons Attribution license. "untitled" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: 416style (sookie) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
