LAB 09 Oscillating Cylinder Mechanism

Experiment # 08
Objective:
To determine the relationship between crank and connecting rod movements.

Apparatus:
 Oscillating Cylinder Mechanism

Diagram:
Connecting
Rod

Cran
k

Theory:
Following is the theory of this experiment:-
1. Machine
A machine is a combination of resistant bodies so arranged that by their means the
mechanical forces of nature can be compelled to do work accompanied by certain determinate
motions.
2. Mechanism
It is the assemblage of resistant bodies connected by movable joints to form a closed
kinematic chain with one link fixed and having the purpose of transmitting motion.
3. Kinematic Link
Each part of a machine, which moves relative to some other part, is known as a
kinematic link (or simply link) or element. A link may consist of several parts, which are rigidly
fastened together, so that they do not move relative to one another.
4. Types of Links
In order to transmit motion, the driver and the follower may be connected by the
following three types of links:

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4.1. Rigid Link

A rigid link is one which does not undergo any deformation while transmitting
motion. Strictly speaking, rigid links do not exist. However, as the deformation of a
connecting rod, crank etc. of a reciprocating steam engine is not appreciable, they can be
considered as rigid links.
4.2. Flexible ink
A flexible link is one which is partly deformed in a manner not to affect the transmission
of motion. For example, belts, ropes, chains and wires are flexible links and transmit tensile
forces only.
4.3. Fluid link
A fluid link is one which is formed by having a fluid in a receptacle and the
motion is transmitted through the fluid by pressure or compression only, as in the case of
hydraulic presses, jacks and brakes.
5. Kinematic Pair
The two links or elements of a machine, when in contact with each other, are said to
form a pair. If the relative motion between them is completely or successfully constrained (i.e.
in a definite direction), the pair is known as kinematic pair.
6. Kinematic Chain
When the kinematic pairs are coupled in such a way that the last link is joined to the
first link to transmit definite motion (i.e. completely or successfully constrained motion), it is
called a kinematic chain.

7. Joint
A joint is a connection between two or more links (at their nodes), which allows some
motion, or potential motion, between the connected links.
8. Types of Joints in a Chain
The following types of joints are usually found in a chain:-
a) Binary Joint
When two links are joined at the same connection, the joint is known as binary joint.
For example, a chain as shown in below figure, has four links and four binary joins at A, B, C
and D.

Figure : Kinematic Chain with Binary Joint

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b) Ternary Joint
When three links are joined at the same connection, the joint is known as ternary joint.
It is equivalent to two binary joints as one of the three links joined carry the pin for the other
two links. For example, a chain, as shown in below figure, has six links. It has three binary
joints at A, B and D and two ternary joints at C and E. Since one ternary joint is equivalent to
two binary joints, therefore equivalent binary joints in a chain, as shown in below figure, are 3
+ 2 × 2 = 7.

Figure : Kinematic Chain with Ternary Joint

c) Quaternary Joint
When four links are joined at the same connection, the joint is called a quaternary joint.
It is equivalent to three binary joints. In general, when l number of links are joined at the same
connection, the joint is equivalent to (l – 1) binary joints. For example consider a chain having
eleven links, as shown in below figure. It has one binary joint at D, four ternary joints at A, B,
E and F, and two quaternary joints at C and G. Since one quaternary joint is equivalent to three
binary joints and one ternary joint is equal to two binary joints, therefore total number of binary
joints in a chain, as shown in below figure, are 1 + 4 × 2 + 2 × 3 = 15.

Figure : Kinematic Chain with Binary Joint

9. Inversion of Mechanism
When one of links is fixed in a kinematic chain, it is called a mechanism. So we can
obtain as many mechanisms as the number of links in a kinematic chain by fixing, in turn,
different links in a kinematic chain. This method of obtaining different mechanisms by fixing
different links in a kinematic chain, is known as inversion of the mechanism.
10. Four Bar Linkage
One of the most useful and most common mechanisms is the four-bar linkage. In this
mechanism, the link which can make complete rotation is known as crank (link 2). The link

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which oscillates is known as rocker or lever (link 4). And the link connecting these two is
known as coupler (link 3). Link 1 is the frame.

Figure : Four Bar Mechanism

11. Slider Crank Mechanism
It is mainly used to convert rotary motion to a reciprocating motion or vice versa. Below
a she slider-crank mechanism is shown and the parameters that are used to define the angles
and the link lengths are given. As in the four-bar mechanism, the extended and folded dead
center positions are when the crank and the coupler are collinear (coupler link is commonly
called connecting rod in slider-crank mechanisms). Full rotation of the crank is possible if the
eccentricity, c, is less than the difference between the connecting rod and the crank lengths and
the crank length is less than the connecting rod length (e.g. c<(a3-a2) and a3>a2) .

Figure : Slider Crank Mechanism

11.1. Applications of Slider Crank Mechanism
The slider crank mechanism is used in piston cylinder assembly in combustion engine
, and converts reciprocating motion in circular motion and vice versa.
12. Crank and Slotted Lever Mechanism
This mechanism is mostly used in shaping machines, slotting machines and in rotary
internal combustion engines. In this mechanism, the link AC (i.e. link 3) forming the turning
pair is fixed, as shown in fig. The link 3 corresponds to the connecting rod of a reciprocating
steam engine. The driving crank CB revolves with uniform angular speed about the fixed center
C. A sliding block attached to the crank pin at B slides along the slotted bar AP and thus causes
AP to oscillate about the pivoted point A. A short link PR transmits the motion from AP to the

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ram which carries the tool and reciprocates along the line of stroke R1R2. The line of stroke of
the ram (i.e. R1R2) is perpendicular to AC produced.

Figure : Crank and Slotted Lever Mechanism

12.1. Applications of Crank and Slotted Mechanism
The crank and slotted lever mechanism is used in shaper and slotted and planner
machine for quick idle stroke, rotary internal combustion engine.

13. Oscillating Cylinder Mechanism

The arrangement of oscillating cylinder engine mechanism, as shown in Fig., is used to
convert reciprocating motion into rotary motion. In this mechanism, the link 3 forming the
turning pair is fixed. The link 3 corresponds to the connecting rod of a reciprocating steam
engine mechanism. When the crank (link 2) rotates, the piston attached to piston rod (link 1)
reciprocates and the cylinder (link 4) oscillates about a pin pivoted to the fixed link at A.

Figure : Oscillating Cylinder Mechanism

13.1. Applications of Oscillating Cylinder Mechanism

Oscillating cylinder steam engines are now mainly used in toys and models but, in the past,
have been used in full-size working engines, mainly on ships and small stationary engines.

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Procedure:
1. Adjust the reading on crank on zero position.

2. Rotate the crank and record readings from circular scale and linear scale by marking 30o
intervals round the locus of A starting from the inner dead center.

3. Moving A successively 30o anticlockwise to the 360o crank angle, mark and number the
corresponding positions of B and P.

4. Here point B is the starting point of slider, point P is the mid-point of the connecting rod,
and point A is the center point where the big end bearing is attached.

5. Draw displacement diagram which is a graph between these two sets of readings with circular
scale readings on X-axis and linear scale readings on Y-axis.

6. Note down the motion of points B, P and A. This gives a linear (oscillating) motion of point
B, elliptical motion of point P and circular motion of point A.

7. Mark the positions of all the points i.e. the starting, mid and end positions and centers of the
geometrical figures formed.

8. With help of all these positions draw the loci of all the points A, B & P geometrically.

Observations and Calculations:

A. Initial Position @ 0o crank angle = 4.8 cm

Sr. Crank Position Piston Rod Sr. Crank Position Piston Rod
# (degrees) Position (mm) # (degrees) Position (mm)
1 30o 43 2 60o 60
3 90o 80 4 120o 98
5 150o 108 6 180o 112
7 210o 108 8 240o 96
9 270o 78 10 300o 58
11 330o 42 12 360o 37

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Displacement Graph

Linear Scale Reading (mm)

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 100 200 300 400
Circular Scale Readng (degree)

Velocity Graph
0.8

0.6
Linear Scale Reading (mm)

0.4

0.2

0
0 100 200 300 400
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6

-0.8
Circular Scale Readng (degree)

Acceleration Graph
0.015
Linear Scale Reading (mm)

0.01

0.005

0
0 100 200 300 400
-0.005

-0.01

-0.015
Circular Scale Readng (degree)

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B. Initial Position @ 0o crank angle = 5 cm

Sr. Crank Position Piston Rod Sr. Crank Position Piston Rod
# (degrees) Position (mm) # (degrees) Position (mm)
1 30o 33 2 60o 57
3 90o 83 4 120o 105
5 150o 120 6 180o 123
7 210o 119 8 240o 103
9 270o 80 10 300o 55
11 330o 32 12 360o 23

Displacement Graph
140
Linear Scale Readng (mm)

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Circular Scale Reading (degree)

Velocity Graph
1
0.8
Linear Scale Readng (mm)

0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-0.2 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1
Circular Scale Reading (degree)

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Acceleration Graph
0.02

0.015

Linear Scale Readng (mm) 0.01

0.005

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
-0.005

-0.01

-0.015
Circuar Scale Reading (degree)

C. Initial Position @ 0o crank angle = 5.5 cm

Sr. Crank Position Connecting Rod Sr. Crank Position Connecting Rod
# (degrees) Position (mm) # (degrees) Position (mm)

1 30o 33 2 60o 58
3 90o 82 4 120o 106
5 150o 119 6 180o 123
7 210o 119 8 240o 103
9 270o 81 10 300o 54
11 330o 32 12 360o 23

Displacement Graph
140
Linear Scale Reading (mm)

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Circular Scale Reading (degree)

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Velocity Graph
1
0.8
Linear Scale Reading (mm)
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
-0.2 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
-0.4
-0.6
-0.8
-1
Circular Scale Reading (degree)

Acceleration Graph
0.02
Linear Scale Reading (mm)

0.015

0.01

0.005

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
-0.005

-0.01

-0.015
Circular Scale Reading (degree)

Conclusion:

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Assignment Questions:

 Give the applications of the oscillating cylinder mechanism.

 What is the benefit of an oscillating cylinder mechanism?

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