Editing Crosshead (section)

{{Short description|Sliding pin joint in a slider-crank linkage, commonly used in engine pistons}}
[[File:Crosshead bearing.png|right|thumbnail|A crosshead as part of a reciprocating piston and [[slider-crank linkage]] mechanism.<!-- Note that the crankpin rotating radius is half of the stroke (Mistakenly depicted here) << Please explain this comment. The stroke is not really depicted here, or is it? Wherein exactly lies the misake?-->]]
[[File:Radevormwald Dahlerau - Wülfingmuseum - Dampfmaschine 05 ies.jpg|thumb|Cylindrical trunk guide]]
[[File:Hudswell Clarke Nunlow at Lafarge Hope Cement Works 4.jpg|thumb|[[Hudswell Clarke]] Nunlow; crosshead and two slide bars]]

In [[mechanical engineering]], a '''crosshead'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marinediesels.info/2_stroke_engine_parts/crosshead.htm |title=The Two Stroke Crosshead Diesel Engine Crosshead Pin and Slippers |publisher=Marinediesels.info |access-date=2013-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014071318/http://marinediesels.info/2_stroke_engine_parts/crosshead.htm |archive-date=2018-10-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is a [[mechanical joint]] used as part of the [[slider-crank linkage]]s of long stroke [[reciprocating engine]]s (either [[internal combustion engine|internal combustion]] or [[steam engine|steam]]) and reciprocating compressors<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drucklufttechnik.de/www/temp/e/drucklfte.nsf/b741591d8029bb7dc1256633006a1729/959ffe76f432a534c125662500774784?OpenDocument |title=3.2.2. Piston (reciprocating) compressor |publisher=Drucklufttechnik.de |access-date=2013-07-22}}</ref> to eliminate sideways force on the [[piston]]. The crosshead also allows the [[connecting rod]] to move freely outside the cylinder. Because of the very small [[Bore (engine)|bore]]-to-[[Stroke (engine)|stroke]] ratio on such engines, the connecting rod would hit the cylinder walls and block the engine from rotating if the piston were attached directly to the connecting rod as in a [[trunk engine]]. Therefore, the longitudinal dimension of the crosshead must be matched to the stroke of the engine.