Some years ago CAR published an excellent article on the crankshaft loads and forces relating to rotational speeds, as well as forces acting on the connecting rods.
I am particularly interested in the side forces of the piston against the wall of the cylinder and the power losses that may result from these forces.
Why are these forces tolerated? Besides making the connecting rod infi nitely long, how can these forces be controlled, if they must be controlled?
ZION PAY – Welkom
The side force on a piston is a consequence of the connecting rod having to move sideways as it goes up and down, and hence cannot easily be avoided on a piston engine.
Making the connecting rod longer will help but this will result in an engine that is tall and heavy.
The side thrust is responsible for about an eight per cent loss of mechanical efficiency but the other advantages of a piston engine, such as the fact that it can develop power at low revs, compared to a turbine, will keep it in contention for the future.