Radial Engine
An engine with a number of cylinder arranged in a circle around the crankshaft centre line. A design often used for aircraft engines.
1850hp Wright R-2600-29 Cyclone 14-cylinder radial. Note that this is effectively two 7 cylinder radials back to back with the rear bank of cylinders being rotated half the cylinder to cylinder spacing.
The conrods are arranged such that there is one master between piston number one and the main crank and then the big ends of the other four conrods are connected onto the master conrod.
A model 5 cylinder radial engine built by Ron Lane.Advantages:
- Easy to cool them with airflow as all cylinders are at the front.
- Lightweight.
Disadvantages:
- Frontal area of the radial is larger than an inline of the same displacement - resulting in more drag.
See also: Engine Configurations, Rotary Engine.
Subjects: Engines
- Weblinks:
- mekanizmalar.com Flash animations of mechanisms, valve gear, engines, gears and pumps.