Name- Umesh Chandra Joshi

Student ID- SVU42644984

Subject- Dynamic of Machines (IME - 501) unit 5
Branch- Mechanical Engineering

OBJECTIVE TYPES QUESTIONS-ANSWERS (ONE MARK EACH)

1. The balancing of rotating and reciprocating parts of an engine is necessary
when it runs at
(a) slow speed
(b) medium speed
(c) high speed
(d) none of the above
Ans; (c) high speed

2. For dynamic balancing of a shaft,

(a) the net dynamic force acting on the shaft is equal to zero
(b) the net couple due to dynamic forces acting on the shaft is equal to zero
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of the above
Ans; (c) both (a) and (b)

3. In order to have a complete balance of the several revolving masses in

different planes
(a) the resultant force must be zero
(b) the resultant couple must be zero
(c) both the resultant force and couple must be zero
(d) none of these
Ans; (c) both the resultant force and couple must be zero
4. In order to facilitate the starting of the locomotive in any position, the
cranks of a locomotive, with two cylinders, are placed at _________ to each
other.
(a) 45°
(b) 90°
(c) 120°
(d) 180°
Ans; (b) 90°

5. If c be the fraction of the reciprocating parts of mass m to be balanced per

cylinder of a steam locomotive with crank radius r, angular speed ω, and
distance between center lines of two cylinders a, then the magnitude of the
maximum swaying couple is given by

Ans;

SHORT QUESTIONS
1. What do you mean by unbalanced force or shaking force?
Ans; Unbalanced force refers to a force that causes an object to accelerate or
change its state of motion. It results in vibration or shaking forces that can lead
to instability, often observed in rotating machinery or locomotives.
2. What is the purpose of balancing?

 Ans;  The purpose of balancing is to ensure that forces, especially in

rotating machinery, are evenly distributed to prevent vibrations, reduce
 wear and tear, and increase the efficiency and lifespan of mechanical
systems.


3. What do you understand by uncoupled locomotive?
Ans; An uncoupled locomotive refers to a locomotive that is not physically
connected to a train or other railway vehicles, typically for maintenance or
positioning purposes
4. What do you understand by balancing of rotating masses?
Ans; Balancing of rotating masses involves adjusting the distribution of mass in
a rotating system so that the forces acting on it are evenly distributed,
minimizing vibrations and improving the system's stability and efficiency.
5. What is hammer blow?
Ans; Hammer blow is a force that results from the impact or sudden change in
motion, often in railway systems. It occurs when a locomotive or vehicle
abruptly changes speed, causing a jolt that can lead to vibrations and
mechanical stress on the tracks or the vehicle.

LONG QUESTIONS
1. Write a short note on primary and secondary balancing.
Ans; Primary and Secondary Balancing

Primary Balancing:

Primary balancing is the process of balancing the forces generated by the

reciprocating parts in an engine, such as pistons, connecting rods, and
crankshafts, during their up-and-down motion. The main objective is to
counteract the primary forces that are caused by the linear acceleration and
deceleration of these reciprocating masses.

 Primary Forces: These forces are proportional to the mass of the

reciprocating parts and their acceleration. Since the reciprocating parts
are continuously changing their direction of motion, these forces create
vibrations. The primary forces typically act at a frequency that
corresponds to the engine's firing frequency (one per revolution of the
crankshaft or twice per cycle of the engine).
  Methods of Primary Balancing: The most common method for
balancing these forces is through the use of counterweights on the
crankshaft or additional balancing masses. In multicylinder engines,
primary forces can be balanced by placing the cranks at certain angles
(such as 180° or 120° apart) to cancel out the opposing forces.

Secondary Balancing:

Secondary balancing involves balancing the secondary forces that arise due to
the angular motion of the reciprocating parts, which involves both linear and
rotational accelerations. These forces are not directly caused by the
reciprocating motion but by the fact that the connecting rods and pistons are
moving along circular paths (angular velocity), making their motion more
complex.

 Secondary Forces: Secondary forces are generally smaller in magnitude

than primary forces but occur at a higher frequency (usually twice the
frequency of primary forces). They are caused by the changing angular
velocity of the connecting rods, which create additional forces in the
engine. These forces are responsible for higher-frequency vibrations that
can lead to additional mechanical stress and discomfort.
 Methods of Secondary Balancing: Secondary balancing is much more
difficult to achieve, as it requires precise calculations based on the
geometry of the engine components and the motion of the pistons and
connecting rods. In some cases, it is not possible to fully balance
secondary forces in a single-engine design, but various techniques such as
using counter-rotating masses, additional balancing shafts, or special
crankshaft configurations can help reduce their impact.

2. Discuss how a single revolving mass is balanced by two masses revolving

in different planes.
Ans; Balancing a Single Revolving Mass by Two Masses Revolving in Different
Planes

Balancing a single revolving mass with two masses revolving in different planes
is an important concept in mechanical engineering, particularly in the balancing
of rotating machinery like engines and turbines. The goal is to ensure that the
system is dynamically balanced, meaning the net forces and couples (torques)
acting on the system are zero, preventing unwanted vibrations and ensuring
smooth operation.
Basic Concept:

When a rotating mass, such as a flywheel or a shaft, is unbalanced, it generates

a centrifugal force that acts outward from the center of rotation. This centrifugal
force can lead to vibrations, which are undesirable in mechanical systems. To
counteract this, additional masses are added at different positions or planes to
balance the original revolving mass.

Principle of Balancing:

The centrifugal force generated by a rotating mass is given by:

Where:

 F is the centrifugal force,

 m is the mass,
 ω is the angular velocity (in radians per second),
 r is the radius (distance from the axis of rotation).

The goal is to create a system where the forces and moments (torques)
generated by these masses balance each other out. This can be achieved by
carefully choosing the size, location, and angular velocity of the balancing
masses.

Steps to Balance:

1. Single Revolving Mass: Consider a mass m1_ revolving at a distance r1

from the axis of rotation with angular velocity ω. The centrifugal force
generated by this mass is:
Q3. Explain the method of balancing of different or several masses revolving
in the same plane.

Ans; Balancing several masses revolving in the same plane is a key concept in
mechanical engineering, particularly in rotating machinery. The process
involves adjusting the masses or their positions so that the system rotates
without producing excessive vibration or causing damage. Here's how balancing
is done:

1. Understanding the Concept of Balancing

When multiple masses revolve in the same plane, they create a centrifugal force
that can cause vibrations if the system is not balanced. These forces depend on
the mass, the speed of rotation, and the radius at which the mass is located.
Balancing ensures that the sum of all the centrifugal forces acting on the system
is equal, and the net moment (torque) is zero.
2. Types of Balancing

There are two main types of balancing for rotating systems:

 Static Balancing: Achieved when the system does not produce any net
force on its support when stationary. The masses are distributed so that
the system doesn’t tilt or produce a resultant force.
 Dynamic Balancing: Achieved when the system is in motion, ensuring
that both the forces and the moments are balanced as the system
rotates.

3. Steps to Balance Revolving Masses in the Same Plane

To balance multiple masses revolving in the same plane, the following steps are
typically followed:

a) Determine the Position and Magnitude of Each Mass

Each mass has a certain magnitude (weight) and radius from the center of
rotation. Identify the position and value of each mass. The centrifugal force
exerted by each mass is given by:

where:

 m = mass of the object

 r = distance from the axis of rotation
 ω = angular velocity (in radians per second)

b) Calculate the Resultant Force and Moment

The forces generated by each mass are vectors. To balance the system, the
resultant of all these forces must be zero, meaning that:

1. The sum of the forces in the radial direction must be zero (to avoid any
radial motion).
2. The sum of the moments (torques) about the center of rotation must
also be zero (to prevent any rotational imbalance).

c) Determine the Balancing Mass

To balance the system, an additional mass may need to be added at a specific
location or an existing mass might need to be adjusted. For example:

 If the system is overloaded on one side (i.e., there is an unbalanced

mass), an equal counteracting mass is placed at a specific radius to offset
the imbalance.
 The balancing mass should be placed at an appropriate radius and
should have the correct magnitude to ensure both the centrifugal forces
and the moments balance out.

d) Adjust the Masses and Test

In practical applications, balancing often involves iterative adjustments. This

means adding or removing small masses (or using trim weights) to achieve
perfect balance. Once the initial calculation is done, the system is tested, and if
any vibrations remain, additional adjustments are made until the balance is
achieved.

4. Graphical Method of Balancing

In complex cases involving multiple masses, a graphical method can be used:

 Draw vectors representing the centrifugal forces of each mass, with their
lengths proportional to the forces.
 Add the vectors head-to-tail.
 The balancing mass can be represented by a vector that exactly cancels
the resultant force vector, ensuring the system is balanced.

Q4. Derive the following expressions, for an uncoupled two cylinder

locomotive engine :
(a) Variation of tractive force ; and
(b) Swaying couple;

Ans; In a two-cylinder uncoupled locomotive engine, we analyze the forces and

moments that arise from the motion of the engine. These include the tractive
force and the swaying couple, which are critical to understanding the engine’s
performance and behavior during operation. Below are the derivations for each
of these quantities:
(a) Variation of Tractive Force

Tractive Force is the force exerted by the locomotive on the track to move the
train. For an uncoupled two-cylinder engine, the tractive force varies depending
on the angular position of the cranks of the two cylinders, as well as the engine's
speed and other parameters.

Let’s assume the following parameters:

This expression indicates that the tractive force varies sinusoidally with the
crank angle and reaches its maximum when the crank is aligned with the
direction of motion.

(b) Swaying Couple

The swaying couple is the moment produced by the imbalance between the two
cylinders as they operate independently. This couple causes the locomotive to
sway or rock around its longitudinal axis. The magnitude of this couple depends
on the forces from the two cylinders and their angular positions.

Derivation of Swaying Couple:

5. Describe the Primary and Secondary Unbalanced Forces of Reciprocating

Masses.
Ans; n reciprocating engines, the motion of the pistons creates forces that need
to be carefully managed to avoid excessive vibrations and ensure smooth
operation. These forces are often classified as primary unbalanced forces and
secondary unbalanced forces. Here’s a detailed explanation of each:

Primary Unbalanced Forces

The primary unbalanced forces arise from the reciprocating motion of the
pistons. These forces are directly related to the mass of the piston and its
acceleration as it moves up and down within the cylinder.

1. Cause of Primary Unbalanced Forces:

 The primary unbalanced forces occur due to the inertia of the

reciprocating masses, such as the pistons, connecting rods, and
sometimes the crankshaft. When a piston accelerates upward or
downward, its inertia creates forces that vary with time.
 These forces are proportional to the mass of the reciprocating parts and
their acceleration.

2. Nature of Primary Unbalanced Forces:

 Magnitude: The primary unbalanced force is directly proportional to the

piston mass and the acceleration of the piston. The acceleration of the
piston changes throughout its stroke due to the varying speed of the
piston as it moves up and down.

The equation for the primary unbalanced force F1 is given by:

 Where:

m = mass of the piston and reciprocating parts.

a = acceleration of the piston, which can be described by the

second derivative of the displacement with respect to time.

 Direction: These forces are in the direction of piston movement (either

upward or downward) and change direction during each cycle. When the
 piston is moving up, the force is upward, and when it moves down, the
force is downward.
 Variation: The primary unbalanced forces vary sinusoidally over the
course of the engine cycle, with the highest force occurring at the top and
bottom of the stroke when the piston is changing direction.

3. Impact of Primary Unbalanced Forces:

 Primary unbalanced forces are the main contributors to the vibration in

the engine. These forces result in reciprocating vibrations as the pistons
change direction. The magnitude of these forces is highest at the top
and bottom of the stroke, where the acceleration of the piston is
greatest.

Secondary Unbalanced Forces

Secondary unbalanced forces arise from the non-uniform velocity of the

reciprocating masses due to the crank mechanism. As the piston accelerates
and decelerates through its stroke, the motion is not uniform. The secondary
unbalanced forces are a result of this non-uniform motion.

1. Cause of Secondary Unbalanced Forces:

 Secondary unbalanced forces occur because the velocity of the piston is

not constant but varies with time in a non-linear way. The crank
mechanism produces a non-uniform angular velocity, which leads to a
variation in the piston’s speed and acceleration. As the crankshaft
rotates, the piston moves with varying acceleration, causing secondary
forces to arise.

2. Nature of Secondary Unbalanced Forces:

 Magnitude: The magnitude of the secondary unbalanced force is

proportional to the square of the angular velocity and the mass of the
reciprocating parts. These forces are more complex to calculate, but they
can be expressed as:
  Direction: Secondary forces are typically directed in the same direction
as the primary forces but have a different variation pattern. They vary
harmonically, with a frequency that is twice the frequency of the primary
forces.

3. Impact of Secondary Unbalanced Forces:

 Secondary unbalanced forces contribute to higher-order vibrations.

They have a frequency that is twice the engine speed (i.e., a 2x
frequency), and their effect is felt especially at higher engine speeds,
where the acceleration of the piston changes more dramatically. These
forces can lead to additional vibrations that affect the overall balance of
the engine.

Distinction Between Primary and Secondary Unbalanced Forces:

 Primary Unbalanced Forces are directly related to the acceleration of

the piston and vary sinusoidally with time. These forces are responsible
for the fundamental vibration of the engine.
 Secondary Unbalanced Forces arise due to the non-uniform velocity of
the piston as it moves. These forces are more complex and oscillate at
twice the frequency of the primary forces.

Control and Balancing of Unbalanced Forces

To reduce the impact of both primary and secondary unbalanced forces:

1. Balancing the Crankshaft and Pistons: Properly balancing the

reciprocating masses is essential. Adding counterweights to the
 crankshaft or using balanced designs for the pistons can help reduce
unbalanced forces.
2. Use of Flywheels: Flywheels can be used to smooth out the fluctuations
in rotational speed, reducing the effect of these unbalanced forces.
3. Engine Design: Using multi-cylinder engines, where the unbalanced
forces from different cylinders can cancel each other out, is a common
approach to minimizing vibrations.
4. Dynamically Balancing Components: In some cases, counterweights or
secondary balance shafts are introduced to reduce secondary
unbalanced forces.