Template:Table of thermodynamic cycles

Cycle Compression, 1→2 Heat addition, 2→3 Expansion, 3→4 Heat rejection, 4→1 Notes
Power cycles normally with external combustion - or heat pump cycles:
Bell Coleman adiabaticisobaricadiabaticisobaric A reversed Brayton cycle
Carnot isentropicisothermalisentropicisothermal Carnot heat engine
Ericsson isothermalisobaricisothermalisobaric The second Ericsson cycle from 1853
Rankine adiabaticisobaricadiabaticisobaric Steam engines
Hygroscopic adiabaticisobaricadiabaticisobaric
Scuderi adiabaticvariable pressure
and volume
adiabaticisochoric
Stirling isothermalisochoricisothermalisochoric Stirling engines
Manson isothermalisochoricisothermalisochoric then adiabatic Manson and Manson-Guise engines
Stoddard adiabaticisobaricadiabaticisobaric
Power cycles normally with internal combustion:
Atkinson isentropicisochoricisentropicisochoric Differs from Otto cycle in that V1 < V4.
Brayton adiabaticisobaricadiabaticisobaric Ramjets, turbojets, -props, and -shafts. Originally developed for use in reciprocating engines. The external combustion version of this cycle is known as the first Ericsson cycle from 1833.
Diesel adiabaticisobaricadiabaticisochoric Diesel engine
Humphrey isentropicisochoricisentropicisobaric Shcramjets, pulse- and continuous detonation engines
Lenoir isochoricadiabaticisobaric Pulse jets. 1→2 accomplishes both the heat rejection and the compression. Originally developed for use in reciprocating engines.
Otto isentropicisochoricisentropicisochoric Gasoline / petrol engines