You think you've got a problem?

[Greybeard]

Some folks have bigger problems than us.

I presume that square structure on the left fits inside the piston.

[RichardL]

So, apparently, this is from a Wärtsilä RTA96-C, largest engine in the world. I found some other images and the square section seems to be what is called the "cross-head" and where the actual piston rod connects, with the piston many feet above.

https://web.archive.org/web/20100716202400/http://people.bath.ac.uk/ccsshb/12cyl/index.html.o

Richard L.

[Swarfcut]

Just shows the unreliable nature of two strokes. Plus the need to check those big end bolts.

 Thanks GB and Richard...made my day. The cross head design is usually seen on horizontal single and multi cylinder steam engines, happily working for years pumping water and effluent. The design keeps the piston free from sideways forces, lessening bore wear.

 Swarfy.

[RDfella]

Probably over revved it to 300rpm.
Specs: length of 89 feet and a height of 44 feet, the total engine weight is 2300 tons - the crankshaft alone weighs 300 tons. The RTA96C-14 can achieve a maximum power output of 108,920 hp at 102 rpm and astonishingly, at maximum economy the engine exceeds 50% thermal efficiency.

[RDfella]

Here's a couple of better pics:

[KiwiGF]

That bloke in background of the pic in the first post should have a caption along the lines:

“jeez I hope they don’t find out I didn’t use a torque wrench on the big end nuts”

Ok not that funny, anyone got a better caption?

[orabanda]

I remember as an apprentice, doing a three month stint in the powerhouse; 4 off turbocharged Mirrlees engines similar in size to the pic I have found (attached).

One engine had a complete top end overhaul; all heads removed. It was off line for some time, and every component was laid out on tables and accounted for.

When the last head was bolted back on, there was one nut, and washer left over on the assembly tables (couldn't be accounted for).

Every head was removed again as we investigated.

Every nut and bolt had been re-fitted during the assembly, someone had mistakenly placed the extra parts on the table.

No place for carelessness in critical work environments like this.

ps; before you ask, it wasn't me!!!

Richard

[muskrat]

G'day GB.
Makes any blow up I've had (a few good ones) pale into insignificance.
Worked on a few biguns as an apprentice similar to Richard's (orabanda). 400 rpm max, 8 cyl, 400mm x 600mm bore and stroke.
Cheers

[Greybeard]

...someone had mistakenly placed the extra parts on the table.

Or was it a mistake!?

[Greybeard]

I'm trying to accept that that conrod was simply bent out of shape just like a bendy thing!

[KiwiGF]

That bloke in background of the pic in the first post should have a caption along the lines:

“jeez I hope they don’t find out I didn’t use a torque wrench on the big end nuts”

Ok not that funny, anyone got a better caption?

“bugger, I must have forgotten the loctite”

[berger]

caption- I told them not to buy parts from china