20cylinder

20cylinder refers to an engine configuration featuring twenty cylinders. This exceptionally large cylinder count is uncommon in most automotive or even typical industrial applications. Such engines are generally found in specialized, high-power, and large-scale machinery where extreme displacement and power output are necessary. Examples might include large marine diesel engines, or certain industrial generators.

The primary advantage of a 20-cylinder configuration is the potential for very high power and torque output, along with smoother operation due to the sheer number of power strokes occurring per crankshaft revolution. However, this comes with significant drawbacks. The complexity, size, weight, and manufacturing cost of a 20-cylinder engine are substantial. Fuel efficiency is also typically lower compared to engines with fewer cylinders, as more internal friction and heat loss are involved. Maintenance and repair are also considerably more challenging and expensive.

The arrangement of cylinders in a 20-cylinder engine can vary, though V-configurations are common for such large engines to keep the overall length manageable. For instance, a V20 engine would have two banks of ten cylinders each, arranged in a V shape. The crankshaft design would also be highly specialized to accommodate the number and firing order of the cylinders. Due to these complexities and cost factors, 20-cylinder engines are a niche technology, reserved for applications where their immense power capabilities outweigh their disadvantages.