Nigel Riches Posted August 4, 2006 Posted August 4, 2006 Why are radial engines always manufactured with an odd number of cylinders? 1982. 5 speed, clamshells. B.R.G / Ali. The True Colours.
AMMO Posted August 4, 2006 Posted August 4, 2006 Why do blonde women dye their roots a darker colour? Radial as in Rhone Gnome? AMMO
Nigel Riches Posted August 4, 2006 Author Posted August 4, 2006 Thats it, aviation type radial engines, what's the reason for odd cylinder numbers? 1982. 5 speed, clamshells. B.R.G / Ali. The True Colours.
Graham Perry Posted August 4, 2006 Posted August 4, 2006 I don't know why odd numbered radials they became the norm, but equal cylinder radials have been made. British Anzani made one (I have seen it) and there have certainly been two stroke radials in the past with 6 and 8 cylinders
Nigel Riches Posted August 4, 2006 Author Posted August 4, 2006 Graham thanks for the link, must of been quite a trick to figure out the firing order to get the smooth running etc. 1982. 5 speed, clamshells. B.R.G / Ali. The True Colours.
Tony C Posted August 4, 2006 Posted August 4, 2006 Radial engines are different from rotary. A rotary engine crankshaft remains stationary and the cylinder bank rotates, so the propeller is attached to the crankcase. These were very efficient at the time, used a total loss lubrication system (Castrol oil, which apparently gave the crew "the runs"), couldn't be throttled so were either going or not and the torque was horrendous. Radial engines have a stationary cylinder bank with a rotating crank. A single row radial only has a single throw crank, to which is attached the master connecting rod. The master rod has a series of holes around its "Big end", to which are attached the "slave" rods for the remaining cylinders. The cylinders fire 1,3, 5, 7,2,4,6 Etc. If there were an even number of cylinders, this every other cylinder firing sequence could no tbe maintained. Two rows of seven cylinders would give a 14 cylinder radial - an even number, as would an 18 cylinder be two rows of 9. There have been 36 cylinder radials - four rows of 9 cylinders BRG Brooklands SV 😬 It seems that perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to take away. (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
Nifty Posted August 4, 2006 Posted August 4, 2006 Great explanation Tony Keep off the straight and narrow 😬
Rob Walker Posted August 4, 2006 Posted August 4, 2006 For those interested there is a fab display of these impressive engines in the Bristol Industrial Museum and its free.
Nifty Posted August 4, 2006 Posted August 4, 2006 Not if you live in Norfolk it isn't *tongue* Keep off the straight and narrow 😬
Tom_C Posted August 4, 2006 Posted August 4, 2006 Make a day of it Nifty, it is pretty good, and just up the quayside from the SS Great Britain too. Cheers Tom FH54WLX - only the car supports ManU, honest! see here - UPDATED
Barrie Posted August 5, 2006 Posted August 5, 2006 back in the 70's *smile*i had to learn the firing order for a double bank 18 cylinder radial engine !
elie boone Posted August 5, 2006 Posted August 5, 2006 They even beat a X-flow when it comes to pops and bangs when they get fired up. I loved to go to the aeroport just to hear that in the good old days.
Colin Mill Posted August 7, 2006 Posted August 7, 2006 Fit a Bristol Centaurus to your 7 and you would get about 1400bhp/ton 😬
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