Cylindrical Energy Module
An axial engine (sometimes known as a barrel engine or Z-crank engine) is a type of reciprocating engine with pistons arranged around an output shaft with their axes parallel to the shaft. Barrel refers to the cylindrical shape of the cylinder group (result of the pistons being spaced evenly around the central crankshaft and aligned parallel to the crankshaft axis) whilst the Z-crank alludes to the shape of the crankshaft. As a cam engine, an axial engine can use either a swashplate or a wobble plate to translate the piston motion to rotation. A wobble plate is similar to a swashplate, in that the pistons press down on the plate in sequence, imparting a lateral moment that is translated into rotary motion. This motion can be simulated by placing a compact disc on a ball bearing at its centre and pressing down at progressive places around its circumference. The difference is that while a wobble plate nutates, a swash-plate rotates. An alternative design, the Rand cam engine, rep ...
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