Is there any way to reverse an engine's direction?

Question

In order to have the engine periodically fluctuate a flat surface in a horizontal shifting pattern, as if to shake?

Answer 1

There are better mechanical means to solve your problem. Standard practice is to leave the engine (or motor) rotate the same always. There are several mechanical mechanisms that can cause the surface to shift eccentrically, randomly, or in a fixed direction with a fixed frequency.

Answer 2

Modern gasoline and diesel engines? No. The valve and spark timing are all based on a particular direction. A transmission of some sort would be needed to reverse direction.

Stirling engines, a kind of simple heat engine, which are still available as small model from science teaching catalogs can go in either direction, which ever way you start them.

If you want to vibrate a flat surface, how about a ready-made vibrator (no, NOT that kind!). A vibrator for compacting soil has a flat plate about 30"x30" that is whacked at moderate frequency by a gasoline motor. Available at any equipment rental yard.

Answer 3

If you are talking about a piston valve 2-stroke diesel or gas engine (like a chainsaw or an older Detroit Diesel) they will run backwards with some difficulty. A 4-stroke engine with cams controlling the valves will not run backwards and there is no practical way to reverse it.

If you need to run the engine output shaft in the opposite direction, you can just turn the engine around, or put in a gearbox.

A jet engine will not run backwards because of the shape of the turbine blades, but a piston steam engine will run backwards just fine.

Answer 4

Valve timing problem, on a 4 cycle engine valve timing will not support reversing rotation. However some two cycle (ported0 engines will run equally well in either direction.

Answer 5

No. Engines in autos have transmissions, to change the direction of the vehicle itself. All of the attached equipment turn in sync with the engine, such as water pump, generator, vacuum controls.
Stationary engines do not need to change direction. They are attached to generators to generate electricity. Stationary engines may be attached to machinery, such as lathes or milling machines. In cases like that, change in direction of the machinery is not needed.

Answer 6

Old fashioned diesel engines could work at inverse direction if were started so, but could be difficult to control it's speed.

Answer 7

change the gears.