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This section provides an overview for engines as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 12 engine manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked engine companies as of December, 2024: 1.Pratt & Whitney, 2.BluePrint Engines, 3.Southern Systems, Inc..
Table of Contents
A prime mover is a device that converts electrical, thermal, or pressure energy into mechanical power.
It generally refers to motors and engines, and is a generic term for mechanisms that convert electricity or fossil fuels into rotary or reciprocating motion as a power source. Engines are indispensable in industry and in our daily lives.
Engines are used for a variety of purposes. Some typical applications are listed below.
In the industrial field, prime movers play an important role in powering machinery and production equipment. For example, factory machines, conveyor belts, pumps, and compressors are driven by electric motors or internal combustion engines.
Automobiles, ships, railroads, and other forms of transportation are driven by engines. Internal combustion engines and electric motors enable vehicles to run and increase the efficiency and speed of moving people and goods.
Engines are used in many aspects of our daily lives. Electric motors are used in home appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners. Also, tools such as drills, hammers, and lawn mowers can be made more efficient by a prime mover.
The principle of a prime mover is the conversion of energy (electricity, heat, pressure, etc.) into mechanical power. The principle of energy conversion is based on the law of conservation of energy. When energy is converted, there is no increase or loss of energy.
An engine converts externally given energy internally and outputs it as power. However, it is impossible to convert energy from electricity, fuel, etc., into power alone, and the energy that cannot be converted into power is released into the environment as heat or vibration. This is called loss, and reducing loss leads to saving fuel resources and directly improves the environment.
When electrical energy is used, an electric motor (motor) is used. An electric motor converts electrical energy into magnetic energy and uses that magnetic energy to generate rotational motion.
When thermal energy is used, internal, or external combustion engines are used. Internal combustion engines directly convert thermal energy generated by fuel combustion into mechanical energy, while external combustion engines use gas or steam heated by a heat source to generate motive power.
When pressure energy is used, compressed air, or hydraulic pressure, is used as the power source. In a compressed air-based engine, compressed air is used by an air compressor to move a piston to produce mechanical power.
A hydraulic engine uses hydraulic pressure compressed by a pump to move a piston from which rotational motion is extracted. For example, water turbines extract rotational motion from the water flow.
Each type of engine has its own characteristics and uses, and it is important to select the appropriate one. For example, internal combustion engines are suitable for automobiles and ships that can operate over long distances because of the high energy density of the fuel. Electric motors, on the other hand, use electrical energy and are widely used in recent electric vehicles and home appliances.
The technologies of these prime movers are constantly evolving to improve energy efficiency and environmental performance, and will continue to have a significant impact on our daily lives and industry in the future. An understanding of the features of the various types of prime movers is required for proper selection and utilization.
The main types of prime movers include the following:
The gasoline or diesel engine is a typical type of prime mover that directly converts the thermal energy generated by fuel combustion into mechanical energy. In an internal combustion engine, a mixture of fuel and oxygen is ignited in a combustion chamber to produce hot, high-pressure gas.
The pressure of this gas is converted into rotational motion. Because of their high thermal efficiency and large output, internal combustion engines are used in a wide range of applications, including automobiles, ships, and power plants.
Steam engines and gas turbines are typical examples of engines that use gas or steam heated by a heat source to generate power. Water is heated in a boiler and the steam generated is introduced into a piston inside a cylinder.
The pressure of the steam causes the piston to move back and forth, generating a rotary motion. They are used in railroad cars, power plants, ships, etc.
An engine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, of which DC and AC motors are typical examples. Electric motors are characterized by efficient and quiet operation and are used in home appliances, industrial machinery, electric vehicles, etc.
Pneumatic cylinders and hydraulic cylinders are typical examples of engines that use compressed air or hydraulic pressure as a power source. They are used in machine tools, construction machinery, automatic conveyors, etc. Some motors use energy obtained from natural sources such as wind or water power.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Pratt & Whitney, established in 1925 and headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut, is a manufacturer that design, manufacture, and service propulsion systems. The company offers a wide range of products, including aircraft engines, auxiliary power units, and small and medium engines. It also offers engine parts and components, ground power units, and merchandise. Its products provide energy and electrical power for aircraft functions while on the ground. The company has achieved ISO 17025 certification in non-destructive Testing. Furthermore, it serves the aerospace and aviation industries.
Southern Systems, Inc. is a manufacturer of heavy-duty, custom conveyor systems related to unit and bulk-handling projects, established in 1968 and located in Memphis, United States of America. The company offers power & free and overhead conveyors, flat tops & slats, and tow conveyors. It also provides dual-strands, belts and rollers, and automation equipment. Power and Free conveyors can be designed to mount overhead and support a suspended load or can be inverted and floor-mounted to support a live load from beneath. It is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company, indicating its forte in delivering quality products.
MCR Safety is an American manufacturer and distributor of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety products established in 2004 and based in Collierville, Tennessee. The company’s product list includes various chemical and flame resistant work gloves and boots, safety garments, face shields, and safety goggles. These have applications in a wide range of industries, such as oil and gas, construction, metal fabrication, and mining. MCR Safety also provides additional services including product customization, on-site hazard assessments, and vending services for facilities with a large workforce.
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (SHI) was established in 1888. SHI offers complete solutions for industrial machinery production and operations, heavy machinery for infrastructure, logistics, and construction, power generation systems as well as systems to reduce pollution, water purification, and ship construction. In addition, SHI also offers various software services including IT solutions.
IHI Machinery and Furnace Co. Ltd, founded in the year 1937, based in Kotoku, Tokyo, is a manufacturer of industrial machinery. Their product portfolio includes carbon solutions, gas turbines, diesel and gas engines, storage tanks, process plants, plant components, nuclear energy, bridge, water-gate, shield, concrete building materials, transportation systems, urban development, security, environmental measurement, compressor, separator, vehicle supercharger, industrial furnace, marine machinery, paper and pulp machinery, agriculture machinery, lifestyle equipment, aviation machinery, defense equipment, aero-engine, and logistics. The products are used in multiple industries which include natural resources, energy and environment, social infrastructure, industrial machinery, aviation, and defense.
Renishaw, founded in 1973, is a manufacturer and supplier headquartered in the UK, specializing in designing, developing, and delivering precise metrology technology systems and solutions. The company’s product portfolio includes metrology, position and motion control systems and healthcare applications. The company also offers additive manufacturing technology, producing industrial machines for metal 3D printing. The company’s solutions and products cater to diverse sectors including healthcare, oil and gas, petrochemical, energy, and more. With offices in 36 countries, Renishaw helps companies worldwide transform their manufacturing with their precision measurement and process control systems.
Yasunaga Corporation, founded in 1923 and based in Iga City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, is a manufacturer of engine parts, machine tools, as well as wire saws, and electronics systems. The company's core business are on precision machining of engine components, with connecting rods being a primary product. It has been serving the automotive, semiconductor, and electronic parts industries, delivering machine tools for various processes, including boring, drilling, slicing, assembly, and inspection.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pratt & Whitney |
16.7%
|
| 2 | BluePrint Engines |
13.3%
|
| 3 | Southern Systems, Inc. |
10.1%
|
| 4 | Cooper Corporation |
10.1%
|
| 5 | MCR Safety |
9.1%
|
| 6 | Japan Engine Corporation |
8.5%
|
| 7 | Renishaw plc. |
8.0%
|
| 8 | IHI Machinery and Furnace Co., Ltd. |
5.9%
|
| 9 | Eugen Seitz AG |
5.3%
|
| 10 | YASUNAGA CORPORATION |
5.3%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the engine page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
5 | 50.0% |
|
United States of America
|
4 | 40.0% |
|
United Kingdom
|
1 | 10.0% |
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