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From: farren@well.UUCP (Mike Farren)
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: odd number of cylinders
Message-ID: <562@well.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 27-Jan-86 05:53:31 EST
Article-I.D.: well.562
Posted: Mon Jan 27 05:53:31 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 28-Jan-86 06:16:12 EST
References: <1379@garfield.columbia.edu>
Organization: Whole Earth Lectronic Link, Sausalito, CA
Lines: 11

As to why radial aircraft engines have an odd number of cylinders, suppose
there was an even number.  This implies that each cylinder will have another
directly opposing it.  Since the cylinder fires at or nearly at Top Dead
Center, the connecting rod of it's piston will be nearly aligned with the
connecting rod of the piston opposing it, and the result is enormous stress
on both rods.

-- 
           Mike Farren
           uucp: {your favorite backbone site}!hplabs!well!farren
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