This is some engine:

                                Maximum  power: 108,920 hp at 102 rpm                                 Maximum torque: 5,608,312 lb/ft  at 102rpm                                  The  Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C turbocharged two-stroke diesel engine  is the most powerful and most efficient prime-mover in the world  today. The Aioi Works of Japan 's

                                Diesel United, Ltd built the  first engines and is where some
                                of these pictures were taken. It  is available in 6 through 14 cylinder versions,
                                all are inline  engines. These engines were designed primarily for very  large
                                container ships. Ship owners like a single engine/single  propeller design and
                                the new generation of larger container ships  needed a bigger engine to propel
                                them. The cylinder bore is just  under 38" and the stroke is just over
                                98". Each cylinder  displaces 111,143 cubic inches (1820 liters) and
                                produces 7780  horsepower. Total displacement comes out to 1,556,002  cubic
                                inches (25,480 liters) for the fourteen cylinder version.                                  Some facts on the 14 cylinder  version:                                 Total engine weight:                                 2300  tons (The crankshaft alone weighs 300 tons.)                                  Length: 89 feet                                 Height: 44  feet                                 Maximum power: 108,920 hp at 102 rpm                                  Maximum torque: 5,608,312 lb/ft at 102rpm                                  Fuel consumption at maximum power  is 0.278 lbs per hp per hour (Brake
                                Specific Fuel Consumption).  Fuel consumption at maximum economy is 0.260
                                lbs/hp/hour. At  maximum economy the engine exceeds 50% thermal efficiency.  That
                                is, more than 50% of the energy in the fuel in converted to  motion.

                                For comparison, most automotive and small aircraft  engines have BSFC figures
                                in the 0..40-0.60 lbs/hp/hr range and  25-30% thermal efficiency range.                                 Even at its  most efficient power setting, the big 14 consumes 1,660  gallons
                                of heavy fuel oil per hour.                                 A  cross section of the RTA96C:                                 The internals of this engine are a bit different  than most automotive
                                engines.

                                The top of the connecting  rod is not attached directly to the piston. The top
                                of the  connecting rod attaches to a "crosshead" which rides in  guide
                                channels. A long piston rod then connects the crosshead to  the piston.

                                I assume this is done so the the sideways forces  produced by the connecting
                                rod are absorbed by the crosshead and  not by the piston.. Those sideways
                                forces are what makes the  cylinders in an auto engine get oval-shaped over
                                time.                                  The crank sitting in the block  (also known as a "gondola-style"
                                bedplate). This is a 10 cylinder  version. Note the steps by each crank throw
                                that lead down into  the crankcase:                                 A piston & piston rod assembly. The piston is  at the top. The large
                                square plate at the bottom is where the  whole assembly attaches to the
                                crosshead:
                                 











                                The cylinder deck  (10 cylinder version). Cylinder liners are die-cast ductile
                                cast  iron. Look at the size of those head studs!:                                 The  first completed 12 cylinder engine:



                                 
                                                                           ~ ~ ~                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Kevin Lane - carpentry
www.kevinlanecarpentry.com