Fig. 221.—The Le Rhone Carburetor at A and Fuel Supply Regulating Device at B.
In considering the action of this engine one can refer to [Fig. 222]. The crank O. M. is fixed, while the cylinders can turn about the crank-shaft center O and the piston turns around the crank-pin M, because of the eccentricity of the centers of rotation the piston will reciprocate in the cylinders. This distance is at its maximum when the cylinder is above O and at a minimum when it is above M, and the difference between these two positions is equal to the stroke, which is twice the distance of the crank-throw O, M. The explosion pressure resolves itself into the force F exerted along the line of the connecting rod A, M, and also into a force N, which tends to make the cylinders rotate around point O in the direction of the arrow. An odd number of cylinders acting on one crank-pin is desirable to secure equally spaced explosions, as the basic action is the same as the Gnome engine.
Fig. 222.—Diagrams Showing Le Rhone Motor Action and Firing Order.
Fig. 223.—Diagram Showing Positions of Piston in Le Rhone Rotary Cylinder Motor.