external-combustion

[ ik-stur-nl-kuhm-buhs-chuhn ]

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to an engine, as a steam engine, in which fuel ignition takes place outside the cylinder, turbine, or the like, in which heat energy is transformed into mechanical force.

Example Sentences

One is that because, like a steam engine, a Stirling is an external-combustion engine, it can run on a variety of fuels.

From Economist

This is because cylinder and piston are in line with the alternator that they drive in order to produce the electricity, eliminating the need for a crankshaft, and also because an external-combustion engine does not have to withstand the continual explosion of fuel inside its cylinder, so it can use special bearings that greatly reduce wear.

From Economist

The Prius has been the world's best-selling hybrid vehicle, helping Toyota grab 70 percent of the U.S. market for vehicles powered by a combination of an external-combustion engine and electric motor.

From Reuters