The casing is in two parts, on one of which the brackets for fixing the
engine are carried, while the other part carries the valve-gear. Bolts
secure the two parts together. The mechanically-operated steel valves
on the cylinders are each fitted with double springs, and the valves
are operated by rods and levers. Two Zenith carburettors are fitted
on the rear half of the crank case, and short induction pipes are led
to each cylinder; each of the carburettors is heated by the exhaust
gases. Ignition is by two high-tension magnetos, and a compressed air
self-starting arrangement is provided. Two oil pumps are fitted for
lubricating purposes, one of which forces oil to the crankshaft and
connecting-rod bearings, while the second forces oil to the valve
gear, the cylinders being so arranged that the oil which flows along
the walls cannot flood the lower cylinders. This engine operates upon
a six-stroke cycle, a rather rare arrangement for internal combustion
engines of the electrical ignition type; this is done in order to
obtain equal angular intervals for the working impulses imparted to the
rotating crankshaft, as the cylinders are arranged in groups of seven,
and all act upon the one crankshaft. The angle, therefore, between the
impulses is 77-1/7 degrees. A diagram is inset giving a side view of
the engine, in order to show the grouping of the cylinders.
[Illustration: Salmson 200 h.p. Radial Engine, Side View.]
The 600 horse-power Salmson engine was designed with a view to fitting
to airships, and was in reality two nine-cylindered engines, with a
gear-box connecting them; double air-screws were fitted, and these
were so arranged that either or both of them might be driven by either
or both engines; in addition to this, the two engines were complete
and separate engines as regards carburation and ignition, etc., so
that they could be run independently of each other. The cylinders were
exceptionally ‘long stroke,’ being 5·9 inches bore to 8·27 inches
stroke, and the rated power was developed at 1,200 revolutions per
minute, the weight of the complete engine being only 4·1 lbs. per
horse-power at the normal rating.
A type of engine specially devised for airship propulsion is that in
which the cylinders are arranged horizontally instead of vertically,
the main advantages of this form being the reduction of head resistance
and less obstruction to the view of the pilot. A casing, mounted on
the top of the engine, supports the air-screw, which is driven through
bevel gearing from the upper end of the crankshaft. With this type of
engine a better rate of air-screw efficiency is obtained by gearing the
screw down to half the rate of revolution of the engine, this giving a
more even torque. The petrol consumption of the type is very low, being
only 0·48 lbs. per horse-power per hour, and equal economy is claimed
as regards lubricating oil, a consumption of as little as 0·04 lbs. per
horse-power per hour being claimed.
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