Balancing of Reciprocating Masses -- Introduction

Introduction

          We have discussed in previous chapters, the various forces acting on the reciprocating parts of an engine. The result of all the forces performing on the body of the engine due to inertia forces only is known as unbalanced force or shaking force.  Thus if the resultant of all the forces due to inertia effects is zero, then there'll be no unbalanced force, however even then an unbalanced couple or shaking couple will be present. 

          Consider a horizantal reciprocating engine mechanism as shown in below Fig.,

Let   F_R  = Force required to accelerate the reciprocating parts,

         F_I   = Inertia force due to reciprocating parts,

         F_N  = Force on the sides of the cylinder walls or normal force acting on the cross-head guides, and

         F_B  = Force acting on the crankshaft bearing or main bearing.

          Since F_R and F_I are equal in magnitude however act in opposite direction, therefore they balance one another. The horizantal component of F_B (i.e F_BH) acting along the line of reciprocation is also equal and opposite to F_I. This force F_{BH =} F_U is an unbalanced force or shaking force and required to be properly balanced.

         The force on the sides of the cylinder walls (F_N) and the vertical component of  F_B(i.e F_BV) are equal and opposite and thus form a shaking couple of magnitude  F_N X x _or F_BV X x. 

          From the above statements we tend to see that the imapct (or) effect of the reciprocating parts is to produce a shaking force and a shaking couple. Since the shaking force and a shaking couple differ in magnitude and direction during the engine cycle, therefore they cause terribly objectionable vibrations.

          Thus the purpose (or  aim) of balancing the reciprocating masses is to eliminate the shaking force and a shaking couple. In most of the mechanisms, we can produce the shaking force and a shaking couple by adding appropriate balancing mass, But it is usually not practical to eliminate them completely. In otherwords, the reciprocating masses are only partially balanced. 

Note : The masses rotating witht he crankshaft are normally balanced and they do not transmit any unbalanced or shaking force on the body of the engine.