Single-cylinder engine
A single-cylinder engine, sometimes called a thumper, is a
Characteristics
Compared with multi-cylinder engines, single-cylinder engines are usually simpler and compact.[1] Due to the greater potential for airflow around all sides of the cylinder, air cooling is often more effective for single cylinder engines than multi-cylinder engines. This reduces the weight and complexity of air-cooled single-cylinder engines, compared with liquid-cooled engines.
Drawbacks of single-cylinder engines include a more pulsating power delivery through each cycle and higher levels of vibration.[2] The uneven power delivery means that often a single-cylinder engine requires a heavier flywheel than a comparable multi-cylinder engine, resulting in relatively slower changes in engine speed. To reduce the vibration level, they often make greater use of balance shafts than multi-cylinder engines,[3] as well as more extreme methods such as a dummy connecting rod (for example the Ducati Supermono).[4][5] These balancing devices can reduce the benefits of single-cylinder engines regarding lower weight and complexity.
Most single-cylinder engines used in motor vehicles are fueled by
A variation known as the
Uses
Early
Single cylinder engines remain the most common engine layout in
The Moto3 class in the
Other single-cylinder engines
Engines of other sorts, like the beam engine and certain types of Stirling engine, operate using one cylinder and thus can also be considered single-cylinder engines.
References
- ^ "Single Cylinder Engines". TheBikeMarket. Archived from the original on 2019-12-17.
- ^ "How to Balancing a Single Cylinder Engine Crankshaft and Piston/Connecting Rod Assembly and Flywheel to Reduce Dangerous Vibration". www.gardentractorpullingtips.com. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^ "Engine Science: The Balancing Act of Single Cylinder Engines". www.isavetractors.com. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^ Methods of Balancing Single Cylinder Engines. Joseph R. Harkness. SAE Transactions. Vol. 77, Section 3: Papers 680436–680591 (1968), pp. 2329-2338
- ^ Suzuki's Supermono Engine Design. A second con-rod without a piston. Ben Purvis. April 26, 2019
- ^ "5 of the funkiest single-cylinder street bikes". www.motorcyclenews.com. 5 March 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "The Single Life: 6 of the best thumpers". www.bennetts.co.uk. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "The 16 Best Retro Motorcycles Make Bikes Great, Again". www.thecoolist.com. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "How Car Engines Work". www.howstuffworks.com. 5 April 2000. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^ "The Lanz Bulldog". www.gasenginemagazine.com. December 1988. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^ "690 Duke: The essence of motorcycling". Archived from the original on 2012-06-12. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
- ^ David Blasco. "Royal Enfield Motorcycles". Royalenfields.com. Archived from the original on 2011-12-07. Retrieved 2011-12-06.