Motor vs. Engines

[Hovernut]

Then what about a steam driven piston engine? An external source, just like hydraulic fluid. Always hear of steam engines, but not steam motors.

Steam ENGINE = External Combustion Engine
auto engine = internal combustion

If we get bought by Mesa, I'm applying to the Durango-Silverton narrow guage railroad! They must have some sort of use for a former nuclear steam engine operator!!

 

[FN FAL]

Cars have motors, and reservations have engines.

Intersting segue...

They were having a Tea Drinking constest on the Oneida reservation this weekend and after it was over, they found the winner dead in his tea pee.

 

[727gm]

In Italy, the multiengine rating is "mutli-motor", but yeah, in English there is the distinction......

 

[Axel]

I have motored the engine but I have never engined the motor. At least not knowingly.

 

[enigma]

A motor converts energy into work, an engine converts thermal energy into work.

An engine is also a motor, but a motor might not be an engine.

For example, a motor could convert hydraulic pressure into motion, or electricity into motion, spring pressure into motion, or even rubber band pressure into motion; but an engine only converts heat from fuel into motion (work).

Dictionary.com defines engine as:

1. 1. A machine that converts energy into mechanical force or motion.
   2. Such a machine distinguished from an electric, spring-driven, or hydraulic motor by its use of a fuel.

and motor as:

1. Something, such as a machine or an engine, that produces or imparts motion.

Hope that helps.

enigma

 

[lasflyer]

I have had a few people ask which "motor" is in my car.

I was always told MOTORS are powered by electricity and ENGINES are powered by combustable fuels.


Isn't this correct?

Yes and no. If you look in a general dictionary I think you will find that the term "Motor" includes internal combustion engines as well as anything else you will find in a motor vehicle. If you look in an engineering dictionary, a motor is short for "electric motor" and is any device that converts electric power to motion.

So it depends who you are talking to. In ordinary English you drive your GM or Ford Motor Co. motor vehicle with a motor to DMV. At a meeting of engineers you would be more correct to refer to the engine as an engine.

 

[VNugget]

I'm willing to live with Enigma's definitions.

 

[mar]

In Italia

In Italy, the multiengine rating is "mutli-motor", but yeah, in English there is the distinction......

But a jet engine is a "reactore" if I'm not mistaken.

 

[FN FAL]

I have motored the engine but I have never engined the motor. At least not knowingly.

yea you do...you engine the motor to "generate" electricity. At least on a PT-6 you do.

 

[KigAir]

A motor converts energy into work, an engine converts thermal energy into work.

Is a vibrator both an engine and motor?