Lesson 1/Learning Event 1
Cylinder Arrangement
Most engines have several cylinders enabling them to be classified by the way the cylinders are arranged. The
most common arrangements are in-line, V-type, horizontal-opposed, and radial. The cylinders of the radial
engine are placed in a circle around a common crankshaft. However, the use of this engine has been limited
almost entirely to aircraft so we will not discuss it here.
FIGURE 7. IN-LINE ENGINE.
In-Line. In-line engines have the cylinders aligned in one straight row. All the piston connecting rods are
connected to one crankshaft that has a separate throw for each cylinder. The number of cylinders most
commonly used in the in-line engine is either four or six. An eight-cylinder in-line was used for a time, but it
is no longer in common use.
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