A Practical Treatise on Engine Crankshaft Torsional Vibration Control

HARMONIC BALANCER, CRANKSHAFT TUNER, engine dampener, front pulley, timing wheel, or more properly the engine crankshaft vibration damper: all terms used to describe probably the least understood accessory installed on nearly every heavy duty internal combustion engine made world-wide. New developments in engine and vehicle technology are placing an ever increasing burden on crankshaft dampers; and a technological lag between modern engines and available torsional control has become evident. Whether they are ready or not, engineers in the transportation/off-highway/agricultural industries will soon be called upon to take an in-depth look at what effects new technology will have on drive train torsional vibration.

This paper attempts to make that look somewhat easier by way of providing a general overview on the characteristics of vibration damping, and related technology.