Complete Balancing of the Stiller—Smith Engine: 4, 8, 12, 16 or More Cylinders

Abstract

A review of the Stiller-Smith mechanism is followed by a summary of balancing techniques to date. These are supplemented with further balancing techniques which allow engines with any multiple of four cylinders to be balanced. The use of counter-rotating shafts enables wobble induced by a single four-cylinder Stiller-Smith mechanism to be countered. The advantages and disadvantages of the different configurations are discussed with respect to balancing. Of special interest are two 16-cylinder configurations which are completely balanced without the use of counterweights.