CROSS HEAD ASSEMBLY

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A crosshead is essential in long reciprocating engines and compressors as it prevents lateral pressure on the piston while allowing the connecting rod to move freely outside the cylinder. This is crucial since the small bore-to-stroke ratio would cause the connecting rod to collide with the cylinder walls, impeding engine rotation if directly connected to the piston like in trunk engines. Thus, the crosshead's length must correspond to the engine's stroke.