OK. I could now do colleague shots. I do not. Or?
There are some articles (currently online) that write about a new Audi engine that should run particularly smoothly, even though it will only have four cylinders. Well - smoothness is something nice. But: The sectional drawings put online in the articles are not patent documents for a smooth-running engine.
Why is? Here is the sectional view:
One of the colleagues has led a US magazine, which speculates here about a four-cylinder with special balance shafts.
Bullshit !! 1einself !!
What this patent drawing shows is a variable compression ratio engine. (Otherwise, one already knows engines that work in the compression range between diesel and petrol engine Diesotto. )
Actually not difficult to resolve either. If you look at the crankshaft and ask yourself how it rotates, what the connecting rods do and what kind of vibrations on this “eccentric shaft” can be eliminated - you quickly realize: Nothing: smoothness! The stroke of the piston can be variably adjusted during operation using the connecting rod.
However, this engine should - always purely to increase efficiency - always be operated in the most sensible load range (compression). In combination with a possible variable supercharging, combinations with high compression but not running ancillary units can be minimized, which minimize friction losses - but increase the injection quantity when there is a high power requirement, without increasing the internal cylinder pressure too high and thus maximizing performance unite constant durability. In the end, however, it will probably boil down to efficiency.
There's no reason why this patent should be for four-cylinder only.
And quiet four-cylinder can be realized without this effort. Variable engine mounts and balance shafts are sufficient.
…More information? The Google patent book is helpful: http://goo.gl/Nbb8G7