Comparisons of cross head and trunk

piston engines
There are two basic types of connecting a piston to a crankshaft;

1. Crosshead construction-used by all slow speed two stroke engine

manufactures
2. Trunk piston construction- used in smaller four stroke engines

Crosshead construction

The piston is rigidly fixed to the piston rod. The rod passes through a gland to a
cross head to which it is attached via a flange , or shoulder through bolt and nut. The
crosshead consists of an rotating element which is attached to the connecting rod. It
is through this bearing that the vertical load is transferred from the combustion
space and converted into the rotary motion of the crankshaft via the connecting rod
and big end bearing. Horizontal thrust generated at the crosshead are absorbed by
white metal surfaced shoes which run up vertical athwartships mounted guides.

The advantages of the crosshead design are

1. guide faces take side thrust, this is easily lubricated, wears little and
takes side forces off the piston and liner running surfaces.
2. Uniform clearance around piston allows for better lubricating oil
distribution reducing wear
3. simplified piston construction designed for maximum strength and
cooling. Extended load bearing skirts found on trunk pistons
unnecessary
4. due to gland lubricating oil may be optimised for crankcase and
cylinder. High alkalinity oils used in cylinder allow poorer quality fuels
to be burnt.

Trunk piston construction

The piston is directly attached to the connecting rod by a small end rotating bearing.
Side thrust is absorbed by extended skirts on piston.

The main advantage is reduced engine height

Opposed piston engines

Mainly built by doxford and consisted of two opposing piston moving in a common
liner. Fuel injection occurred at the centre where the piston met. Construction is of
the crosshead design with the upper piston connected to the crankshaft via two side
rods and transverse beam. Timing was approximately 180oC except for a small angle
of advance for exhaust timing.

Advantages are;

1. Perfect primary balance by balancingupper reciprocating masses

and lower velocity side cranks against
2. lower reciprocating mass and the higher velocity centre crank
2. No gas loading transvered to bed plate (normally via head and tie rods)
on engine meaning that construction could be lighter