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 maimum strength and cooling. !tended load
bearing skirts found on trunk pistons unnecessary
". due to gland lubricating oil may be optimised for crankcase and cylinder. #igh alkalinity oils
used in cylinder allow poorer $uality 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
ainly built by doxford and consisted of two opposing piston moving in a common liner. !uel in"ection
occurred at the centre where the piston met. #onstruction is of the crosshead design with the upper
piston connected to the crankshaft via two side rods and transverse beam. Timing was approximately
$%&
o
# except for a small angle of advance for exhaust timing.
Advantages are;
1. %erfect primary balance by balancing
i. upper reciprocating masses and lower &elocity side cranks against
ii. lower reciprocating mass and the higher &elocity centre crank
2. 'o gas loading trans&ered to bed plate (normally &ia head and tie rods) on engine meaning
that construction could be lighter