Fred2718 t1_j6ipwld wrote
Reply to comment by dr_xenon in Eli5 Why gas turbine can rev at >10000 rpm but diesel engine red lone at 3000-4000 rpm? by sepientr34
Recip engines of various sizes are limited also by the maximum acceleration of their parts. More precisely, by the maximum strain energy per unit volume in critical parts, like the rod bearings. McMahon's book On Size And Life has a very good description of this and an analysis of engines ranging from tiny model airplane motors running at 25000 rpm, to gigantic industrial motors run ing at a few tens of rpm.
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