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Old 2010-07-15, 01:07 PM   #4
sperry
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Real Name: Scott
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluestreak View Post
Hmmm.... Thought it was a 4 cylinder at first. Looks like it can be assembled in 'modules' that can interface with some crazy transmission that can turn each engine on or off if required.
Well, you can call sorta call it a "4 cylinder" if you're going by the number of pistons moving in there. It uses opposed pistons... basically there's a piston on either end of the combustion chamber:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opposed-piston_engine

The difference is that most opposed piston engines have two crankshafts:



Really though, terms like "4 cylinder" are only useful when discussing traditional motors. Calling this a "2 cylinder motor" because it's literally got only 2 cylinders ignores the fact that there's a lot more going on in there.
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