Balancing of Reciprocating Masses

Somnath Somadder
Lecturer
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Khulna University of Engineering &
Technology.
 There
  are many applications where moving bodies have reciprocating motions like as IC engine,
shaper machine, air compressor.
 Various forces act on Reciprocating parts of engine like piston effort, force acting on connecting
rod, crank effort or turning moment or torque on crank shaft.
 The resultant of the all forces acting on the body of engine due to inertia forces is known as
unbalanced force or shaking force. If the resultant of all forces is zero, then there will be no
unbalanced force, but even an unbalanced or shaking couple will be present.
Consider a horizontal
reciprocating engine mechanism as shown in figure.

= Force required to accelerate reciprocating Parts.

= Inertia force due to reciprocating parts.
= Force on the sides of the cylinder walls.
= Force acting on crank shaft bearing.
 =is unbalanced or shaking force
Primary and Secondary Unbalanced Forces

 It is observed in article 15.8 that the acceleration of the reciprocating parts is approximately
given by the expression
  cos 2𝜃
2
𝑎 𝑅 =𝜔 𝑟 cos 𝜃+( 𝑛 )
Inertia force due to reciprocating parts or force required to accelerate the reciprocating parts

 cos 2 
FI  m r  cos  
2

 n 
 cos 2 
FI  FBH  m 2 r  cos   
 n 
From above we see that secondary unbalanced force is 1/n times
the maximum primary unbalanced force.
In case of moderate speeds, the secondary unbalanced force is
so small that it may be neglected as compared to primary unbalanced
force.
The unbalanced force due to reciprocating masses varies in
magnitude but constant in direction while due to the revolving
masses, the unbalanced force is constant in magnitude but varies in
direction.
 Partial Balancing of Primary force in a
reciprocating engine
 The primary unbalanced force (m⋅ω2 ⋅r cosθ) may be considered as the component of the
centrifugal force produced by a rotating mass m placed at the crank radius r, as shown in Fig.
The primary force acts from O to P along the line of stroke. Hence, balancing of primary force is
considered as equivalent to the balancing of mass m rotating at the crank radius r. This is balanced
by having a mass B at a radius b, placed diametrically opposite to the crank pin C.
We know that centrifugal force due to mass B, = B⋅ω2 ⋅band horizontal component of this force
acting in opposite direction of primary force= B⋅ω2 ⋅ bcosθ
The primary force is balanced, if
The primary force is completely balanced if B.b = m.r, but the centrifugal force produced due to
the revolving mass B, has also a vertical component (perpendicular to the line of stroke) of
magnitude B⋅ω2 ⋅bsin θ . This force remains unbalanced. The maximum value of this force is equal
to B⋅ω2 ⋅b when θ is 90° and 270°, which is same as the maximum value of the primary force
m⋅ω2 ⋅r
 As a compromise let a fraction ‘c’ of the reciprocating masses is balanced, such that
c.m.r = B.b
 The purpose of balancing the reciprocating masses is to eliminate the shaking force and a
shaking couple. In most of the mechanisms, we can reduce the shaking force and a shaking
couple by adding appropriate balancing mass, but it is usually not practical to eliminate them
completely. In other words, the reciprocating masses are only partially balanced.
 For balancing shaking forces a balancing mass is applied in a direction just opposite to crank. the
horizontal component of  centrifugal force balances the shaking force but the vertical component is
such that it creates a vertical unbalance. 
 so ,you see the application of balancing mass cannot balance both horizontal and vertical unbalances
simultaneously.
  The key point here is that we try to optimize the balance of both by balancing both of them
partially. To do this only a fraction of mass 'm' is used as balancing mass.
 This balances horizontal component partially and also creates less vertical unbalance. Since
horizontal unbalance in engines is more dangerous so larger fraction of horizontal force is balanced.
 If the balancing mass is required to balance the revolving masses as well as reciprocating
masses, then

where m1 = Magnitude of the revolving masses, and m = magnitude of the reciprocating masses.
Problem# A single cylinder reciprocating engine has speed 240 r.p.m., stroke 300 mm, mass
of reciprocating parts 50 kg, mass of revolving parts at 150 mm radius 37 kg. If two third of the
reciprocating parts and all the revolving parts are to be balanced, find : 1. The balance mass
required at a radius of 400 mm, and 2. The residual unbalanced force when the crank has
rotated 60° from top dead centre.
Partial Balancing of Locomotives

The locomotives, usually, have two cylinders with cranks placed at right angles to each
other in order to have uniformity in turning moment diagram. The two cylinder
locomotives may be classified as :
1. Inside cylinder locomotives ; and 2. Outside cylinder locomotives.
In the inside cylinder locomotives, the two cylinders are placed in between the planes of two
driving wheels as shown in Fig. 22.3 (a) ; whereas in the outside
cylinder locomotives, the two cylinders are placed outside the driving wheels, one on each
side of the driving wheel, as shown in Fig. 22.3 (b).
The locomotives may be(a) Single or uncoupled locomotives ; and (b) Coupled locomotives.

 A single or uncoupled
locomotive is one, in which the
effort is transmitted to one pair
of the wheels only
 Effect of Partial Balancing of reciprocating
parts of two cylinder locomotives
 The
  effect of unbalanced primary force along the line of stroke is to produce
a) Variation in tractive force along line of stroke.
b) Sawing couple c) Hammer blow
The resultant unbalanced force due to two cylinders along the line of stroke is known as tractive force.
Let the crank for the first cylinder be inclined at an angle θ with the line of stroke, as shown in Fig. 22.4. Since the
crank for the second cylinder is at right angle to the first crank, therefore the angle of inclination for the second
crank will be (90° + θ ).
Let m = Mass of the reciprocating parts per cylinder, and
c = Fraction of the reciprocating parts to be balanced.
We know that unbalanced force along the line of for
cylinder 1= ( 1− 𝑐 ¿ 𝑚 𝑤2 𝑟 cos 𝜃
Cylinder 2=
As per definition   ¿
The tractive force is maximum or minimum when (cos θ – sin θ ) is maximum or minimum. For (cos
θ – sin θ ) to be maximum or minimum,

Thus, the tractive force is maximum or minimum when θ = 135° or 315°.∴ Maximum and minimum
value of the tractive force or the variation in tractive force
The effect of unbalanced force along the perpendicular to line of stroke is to produce variation in
pressure on the rails, which results in hammering action in rails.
The maximum magnitude of the unbalanced force perpendicular to the line of stroke is known as
hammer blow.
We know that the unbalanced force along the perpendicular to the line of stroke due to the
balancing mass B, at a radius b, in order to balance reciprocating parts only is B. ω2.b sin θ. This
force will be maximum when sin θ is unity, i.e. when θ = 90° or 270°.
∴ Hammer blow = B.ω2.b (Substituiting sin θ = 1)
The effect of hammer blow is to cause the variation in pressure between the wheel and the rail.
This variation is shown in Fig. 22.6, for one revolution of the wheel.
Let P be the downward pressure on the rails (or static wheel load)
 ∴ Net pressure between the wheel and the
rail = P ± B.ω2.b
 If (P–B.ω2.b) is negative, then the wheel will be
lifted from the rails. Therefore the limiting
condition in order that the wheel does not lift
from the rails is given by P = B.ω2.b and the
permissible value of the angular speed,
 Swaying couple
The unbalanced forces along the line of stroke for the two cylinders constitute a couple about the center
line YY between the cylinders as shown in Fig. 22.5.This couple has swaying effect about a vertical
axis, and tends to sway the engine alternately in clockwise and anticlockwise directions. Hence
the couple is known as swaying couple.
Let a = Distance between the center lines of the two cylinders.
Swaying Couple

The swaying couple is maximum or minimum when (cosθ + sin θ) is maximum or minimum. For (cosθ
+ sin θ) to be maximum or minimum,

Thus, the swaying couple is maximum or minimum when θ = 45° or 225°.∴ Maximum and minimum
value of the swaying couple
 Balancing of V-engines
Consider a symmetrical two cylinder V-engine as shown in Fig. The common crank OC is driven
by two connecting rods PC and QC. The lines of stroke OP and OQ are inclined to the
vertical OY, at an angle α as shown in Fig.
Let m = Mass of reciprocating parts per cylinder, l = Length
of connecting rod,
r = Radius of crank,
n = Ratio of length of connecting rod to crank radius = l / r
θ = Inclination of crank to the vertical at any instant,
ω = Angular velocity of crank.
We know that inertia force due to reciprocating parts of cylinder 1, along the line of stroke

We know that inertia force due to reciprocating parts of cylinder 2, along the line of stroke
Balancing of Rotating Mass
 Group Problem Solving
Four  Masses A,B,C,D revolve at equal radii and are equally spaced along a shaft. The mass B is 7
kg and the radii of C and D makes angle 90 respectively with radius B. Find the magnitude of the
masses A,C,D and the angular position of A so the system become completely balanced.
[Distance will be given for problems of different plane]
Solution: Given,
 =7 kg BOC  90 BOD  240

(a) Position of Planes (b) Angular Position of masses

Planes Mass(m) kg Radius Centrifugal Distance Couple  2
(1) (2) (r) m force  2 from plane A (m.r.l)
(3) (m.r) kg-m (l) m kg-
(4) (5) (6)
A
A 00 00

B d d
B d
C 2d 2d
D 3d 3d
C 2d

D 3d
(a)
  r(2d)=vector b’c’ (b) r= vector do
r(2d)=12.2rd =6.1kg r=5.2 r
Again, r 3d=vector c’o’ =5.2 kg
r(3d)= 14 r d ° 
<BOA=205 anticlockwise from mass B
= 4.66 kg
A shaft
  carries five masses A,B,C,D,E which revolve at the same radius in planes which are equidistant
from one another. The magnitude of the masses in plane A,C and D are 50 kg, 40 kg and 80 kg
respectively. The angle between A and C is 90 and that between C and D is 135 . Determine the masses
in planes B and E and their positions to put the shaft in completely rotating balance.
Solution: Given, =50 kg, = 40 kg = 80 kg <AOC = 90 <COD = 135
=?=?

(a) Position of Planes (b) Angular Position of masses

Plane Mass Radius Centrifugal Distance Couple
force

A 50 r 50 r -d -50 r d

B r 0 0

C 40 r 40 r d 40 r d

D 80 r 80 r 2d 80 r (2d)

E r 3d (3d)
 

r3d=vector c’o’=180rd r = od=34 r

= 60 kg = 34 kg
<AOE= 24 anticlockwise <AOB=169 anticlockwise