How did the development of the crankshaft happen?
The crankshaft developed over a period of time when the ability to predict and measure stresses was very limited. There was limited knowledge of stress concentration factors and no practical way to measure stress in static tests of crank elements. All the designer had to go on was what had worked in the past.
What kind of crankshaft does a six throw crankshaft use?
Our task is made somewhat easier due to the fact that most later engines had cylinders that were either 6, V-12, or flat twelve configurations all of which utilized a six throw crank as shown in Figure 2. The six throw crank is symmetrical; after the first three throws the three remaining throws are a mirror image of the first three.
How does the crankshaft work in a piston engine?
In piston engines the crankshaft functions to convert linear piston motion into rotating motion thereby making the work being done on the piston useful for turning a gear or propeller.
What do the long through bolts on a crankshaft do?
The long through bolts shown keep the entire crankcase in compression whereas in the V configuration the head bolts and main bearing cap bolts put the area of the crankcase around the main bearings in tension from firing pressure and inertia loads.
What happens when the crankshaft goes back up?
This is the power stroke. As the crankshaft turns, the piston begins to go back up and the camshaft opens the exhaust valve. The upward moving piston forces the burnt gases out of the cylinder. This is the second or exhaust stroke.
Our task is made somewhat easier due to the fact that most later engines had cylinders that were either 6, V-12, or flat twelve configurations all of which utilized a six throw crank as shown in Figure 2. The six throw crank is symmetrical; after the first three throws the three remaining throws are a mirror image of the first three.
In piston engines the crankshaft functions to convert linear piston motion into rotating motion thereby making the work being done on the piston useful for turning a gear or propeller.
The long through bolts shown keep the entire crankcase in compression whereas in the V configuration the head bolts and main bearing cap bolts put the area of the crankcase around the main bearings in tension from firing pressure and inertia loads.