Type of Internal-Combustion Engine patented (1892) by the German engineer (see Engineer - You Might Be One If ... ) Rudolph Diesel. It is heavier and
more powerful than the gasoline engine and
burns fuel oil instead of gasoline. It differs from the gasoline engine in
that the ignition of fuel is caused by compression (see Compressor) of Air in its cylinders instead of by a spark. The speed and Power of the diesel are controlled b
y varying the amount of fuel injected into the
cylinder. Diesels are widely used to power industrial and municipal electric Generators, continuously operating Pumps such as those used in Oil pipelines (see Specifications - Piping), and ships, trucks, locomotives, and some automobiles.