What is the different types of the piston engine?
There are many types of engines, including many different
piston-style engines. Most piston engines are 4 stroke, which means
intake, compression, ignition, and exhaust each have their own
stroke. 2-stroke piston engines are more complicated, and I'm sorry
you'll have to do your own research on them.
Diesel, propane, gasoline, and even alcohol can power piston
engines. It all depends on the engine's use. Cars are mostly
gasoline powered, except some foreign ones from the 1980s and
1990s, such as the 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit. They were diesel
powered, which is more efficient than gas. Big trucks, tractors,
and everything like that are usually diesel, unless they're really
old. Most oversized pickup trucks nowadays are diesel to satisfy
male egos. :P And things like forklifts are usually propane
powered. Monster trucks are alcohol powered, but mind you: it's not
the kind of alcohol you would want to drink.
And piston arrangements can come in all shapes and sizes, from
inlines to V patterns. Inline 4 cylinder engines are common, as are
larger V6 and V8s. Older vehicles such as the Packard 8 or Toyota
FJ cruiser (1970s) saw such engine arrangements as inline 8s and
inline 6 cylinders. You can even find flat arrangements like flat
4s and stuff, but those are uncommon. And small, gas powered planes
have neat rotary engines where the pistons circle around the
crankshaft.