Balance shaft: Difference between revisions
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In [[piston engine]] engineering, a '''balance shaft''' is an eccentric weighted shaft which offsets the vibrations of unstable engines. Balance shafts are usually mounted low in the cylinder block, driven by and rotating at twice the speed of the [[crankshaft]]. Balance shafts are most common in [[straight-4]] engines, since these have fewer cylinders to balance the force of reciprocating masses. Large (greater than 2.0 L) straight-4s in particular are prone to rocking due to long-stroke rods or large-bore pistons. |
In [[piston engine]] engineering, a '''balance shaft''' is an eccentric weighted shaft which offsets the vibrations of unstable engines. Balance shafts are usually mounted low in the cylinder block, driven by and rotating at twice the speed of the [[crankshaft]]. Balance shafts are most common in [[straight-4]] engines, since these have fewer cylinders to balance the force of reciprocating masses. Large (greater than 2.0 L) straight-4s in particular are prone to rocking due to long-stroke rods or large-bore pistons. |
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The balance shaft was first introduced in [[Mitsubishi Motors]]' "Silent Shaft" [[Mitsubishi Astron engine|Astron engines]] in [[1975]]. They featured a pair of chain-driven balance shafts, one located near the crankshaft and the other about half way up the engine block. |
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[[General Motors]]' [[GM Quad-4 engine|Quad 4]] was notorious for vibration until balance shafts were installed. Other engines with one or two balance shafts include: |
[[General Motors]]' [[GM Quad-4 engine|Quad 4]] was notorious for vibration until balance shafts were installed. Other engines with one or two balance shafts include: |
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Revision as of 04:53, 1 January 2005
In piston engine engineering, a balance shaft is an eccentric weighted shaft which offsets the vibrations of unstable engines. Balance shafts are usually mounted low in the cylinder block, driven by and rotating at twice the speed of the crankshaft. Balance shafts are most common in straight-4 engines, since these have fewer cylinders to balance the force of reciprocating masses. Large (greater than 2.0 L) straight-4s in particular are prone to rocking due to long-stroke rods or large-bore pistons.
The balance shaft was first introduced in Mitsubishi Motors' "Silent Shaft" Astron engines in 1975. They featured a pair of chain-driven balance shafts, one located near the crankshaft and the other about half way up the engine block.
General Motors' Quad 4 was notorious for vibration until balance shafts were installed. Other engines with one or two balance shafts include:
- Chrysler's 2.4 L Neon engine
- Ford's Modular V8
- Ford Taunus V4 engine.