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 adiabatic isobaric adiabatic isobaric A reversed Brayton cycle
Carnot isentropic isothermal isentropic isothermal Carnot heat engine
Ericsson isothermal isobaric isothermal isobaric The second Ericsson cycle from 1853
Rankine adiabatic isobaric adiabatic isobaric Steam engines
Hygroscopic adiabatic isobaric adiabatic isobaric
Scuderi adiabatic variable pressure
and volume
adiabatic isochoric
Stirling isothermal isochoric isothermal isochoric Stirling engines
Manson isothermal isochoric isothermal isochoric then adiabatic Manson and Manson-Guise engines
Stoddard adiabatic isobaric adiabatic isobaric
Power cycles normally with internal combustion:
Atkinson isentropic isochoric isentropic isochoric Differs from Otto cycle in that V1 < V4.
Brayton adiabatic isobaric adiabatic isobaric 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 adiabatic isobaric adiabatic isochoric Diesel engine
Humphrey isentropic isochoric isentropic isobaric Shcramjets, pulse- and continuous detonation engines
Lenoir isochoric adiabatic isobaric Pulse jets. 1→2 accomplishes both the heat rejection and the compression. Originally developed for use in reciprocating engines.
Otto isentropic isochoric isentropic isochoric Gasoline / petrol engines