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Trunnion
Trunnion
from Wikipedia
The trunnions are the protrusions from the side of the barrel that rest on the carriage.

A trunnion (from Old French trognon 'trunk')[1] is a cylindrical protrusion used as a mounting or pivoting point. First associated with cannons, they are an important military development.[2]

In mechanical engineering (see the trunnion bearing section below), it is one part of a rotating joint where a shaft (the trunnion) is inserted into (and turns inside) a full or partial cylinder.

Medieval history

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Early Chinese cannon with trunnions, Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). Kept in Zhejiang Provincial Museum.

In a cannon, the trunnions are two projections cast just forward of the center of mass of the cannon and fixed to a two-wheeled movable gun carriage.[3]

16th-century depiction of a cannon with trunnions

With the creation of larger and more powerful siege guns in the early 15th century, a new way of mounting them became necessary. Stouter gun carriages were created with reinforced wheels, axles, and “trails” which extended behind the gun. Guns were now as long as 2.5 metres (8 ft) in length and they were capable of shooting iron projectiles weighing from 10 to 25 kilograms (25 to 50 lb). When discharged, these wrought iron balls were comparable in range and accuracy with stone-firing bombards.[4]

Trunnions were mounted near the center of mass to allow the barrel to be elevated to any desired angle, without having to dismount it from the carriage upon which it rested. Some guns had a second set of trunnions placed several feet back from the first pair, which could be used to allow for easier transportation.[5] The gun would recoil causing the carriage to move backwards several feet but men or a team of horses could put it back into firing position. It became easier to rapidly transport these large siege guns, maneuver them from transportation mode to firing position, and they could go wherever a team of men or horses could pull them.[6]

Initial significance

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Due to its capabilities, the French- and Burgundy-designed siege gun, equipped with its trunnions, required little significant modification from around 1465 to the 1840s.

Gun trunnions often bear factory markings

King Charles VIII and the French army used this new gun in the 1494 invasion of Italy. Although deemed masters of war and artillery at that time, Italians had not anticipated the innovations in French siege weaponry. Prior to this, field artillery guns were huge, large-caliber bombards: superguns that, along with enormous stones or other projectiles, were dragged from destination to destination. These behemoths could only be used effectively in sieges, and more often than not provided just a psychological effect on the battlefield; owning these giant mortars did not guarantee any army a victory. The French saw the limitations of these massive weapons and focused their efforts on improving their smaller and lighter guns, which used smaller, more manageable projectiles combined with larger amounts of gunpowder. Equipping them with trunnions was key for two reasons. First, teams of horses could now move these cannons fast enough to keep up with their armies and no longer had to stop and dismount them from their carriages to achieve the proper range before firing; second, the capability to adjust firing angle without having to lift the entire weight of the gun allowed tactical selection and reselection of targets rather than being deployed solely on the first target chosen. Francesco Guicciardini, an Italian historian and statesman, wrote that the cannons were placed against town walls so quickly, spaced together so closely and shot so rapidly and with such force that the time for a significant amount of damage to be inflicted went from a matter of days (as with bombards) to a matter of hours.[4] For the first time in history, as seen in the 1512 battle of Ravenna and the 1515 Battle of Marignano, artillery weaponry played a very decisive part in the victory of the invading army over the city under siege.[7] Cities that had proudly withstood sieges for up to seven years fell swiftly with the advent of these new weapons.

Defensive tactics and fortifications had to be altered since these new weapons could be transported so speedily and aimed with much more accuracy at strategic locations. Two significant changes were the additions of a ditch and low, sloping ramparts of packed earth (glacis) that would surround the city and absorb the impact of the cannonballs, and the replacement of round watchtowers with angular bastions. These towers would be deemed trace Italienne.[8]

Whoever could afford these new weapons had the tactical advantage over their neighbors and smaller sovereignties, which could not incorporate them into their army. Smaller states, such as the principalities of Italy, began to conglomerate. Preexisting stronger entities, such as France or the Habsburg emperors, were able to expand their territories and maintain a tighter control over the land they already occupied.[6]

Uses

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In vehicles

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  • In older cars, the trunnion is part of the suspension and either allows free movement of the rear wheel hub in relation to the chassis[9] or allows the front wheel hub to rotate with the steering. On many cars (such as those made by Triumph[10]) the trunnion is machined from a brass or bronze casting and is prone to failure if not greased properly.[11] Between 1962 and 1965 American Motors recommended lubrication of its pre-packed front suspension trunnions on some models using a sodium base grease every 32,000 miles (51,000 km) or three years.[12] In 1963 it incorporated molded rubber "Clevebloc" bushings on the upper trunnion of others to seal out dirt and retain silicone lubricant for the life of the car.[13]
  • In aviation, the term refers to the structural component that attaches the undercarriage or landing gear to the airframe.[14] For aircraft equipped with retractable landing gear, the trunnion is pivoted to permit rotation of the entire gear assembly.[15]
  • In axles, the term refers to the type of suspension used on a multi-axle configurations. It is a "short axle pivoted at or near its mid-point about a horizontal axis transverse to its own centerline, normally used in pairs in conjunction with a walking beam in order to achieve two axis of oscillation."[16] This type of suspension allows 60,000 pounds (27,000 kg) to be loaded on an axle group.[17]
  • In trailers, leveling jacks may have trunnion mounts.[18]

Trunnion bearings

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In mechanical engineering, it is one part of a rotating joint where a shaft (the trunnion) is inserted into (and turns inside) a full or partial cylinder. Often used in opposing pairs, this joint allows tight tolerances and strength from a large surface contact area between the trunnion and the cylinder.[19]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
A trunnion is a mechanical component in , typically consisting of a cylindrical or conical projection or pivot that provides and enables rotational movement around a fixed axis. Originating from late 15th-century design, where paired trunnions served as mounting points on the barrel to secure it to a and facilitate adjustments, this marked a significant advancement in , allowing precise aiming while distributing forces effectively. The term derives from the French trognon, meaning a stump or core. In modern applications, trunnions are integral to various fields, including machinery fixtures for and assembly, where they act as precision bearing mounts for revolving workpieces. They are also essential in systems as welded supports to bear loads and prevent stress concentrations at elbows or bends. In valve technology, trunnion-mounted ball valves use upper and lower stems to stabilize the under , enhancing reliability in oil, gas, and chemical industries. Additionally, trunnion bearings support movable bridges, such as bascule types, by providing pivot points for lifting spans to allow vessel passage. These versatile elements underscore trunnions' role in ensuring stability, load distribution, and controlled motion across mechanical systems.

Etymology and Definition

Etymology

The term "trunnion" derives from the word trognon, meaning "core," "stump," or "trunk of a tree," which alluded to the cylindrical or stump-like shape of the component it described. This French origin reflects the word's early association with sturdy, protruding elements resembling natural trunks or cores. The word entered English in the early 17th century, with the earliest recorded usage dating to before 1625, initially in contexts to denote the projecting pins or pivots on barrels that allowed for mounting and . By this period, it had been borrowed directly from French technical vocabulary, adapting to describe similar mechanical features in . In related linguistic developments, variants like the French trougnon (a dialectical form of trognon) persisted in regional usage, but the standard trognon influenced broader adoption. The term's integration into jargon expanded beyond applications by the , particularly in for movable structures such as bascule bridges, where it retained its connotation of pivotal supports. This evolution marked its transition into general technical , often linked briefly to its origins in pivoting mechanisms.

Definition

A trunnion is a cylindrical or conical protrusion that serves as a mounting, pivoting, or support point in mechanical assemblies. These components are typically positioned coaxially on opposite sides of a structure, such as a barrel, shaft, or frame, to facilitate controlled movement. Key characteristics of a trunnion include its ability to enable while providing stability under load. This ensures smooth oscillation or pivoting of attached elements, such as in hydraulic cylinders or rotating machinery, and supports adjustments like in pivot systems. Trunnions originated in designs for mounting and control but have evolved into essential elements across modern . Trunnions are classified into basic types based on their construction: integral trunnions, which are machined or cast directly from the main body for seamless integration, and attached trunnions, which are bolted, welded, or otherwise affixed as separate components. The choice between these types depends on factors like load requirements and manufacturing processes, with integral designs often preferred for compactness and attached ones for modularity.

Historical Development

Origins in Medieval Artillery

The trunnion emerged as a key innovation in late medieval around the mid-15th century, with early examples appearing on Burgundian guns circa 1450. These simple cylindrical projections were cast directly into the barrels of cannons, serving as pivots to mount the weapons on wooden frames or rudimentary carriages. This design marked a departure from earlier mounting methods, such as heavy wooden beds or direct ground placement, by allowing the barrel to pivot for elevation and limited traverse without requiring complete disassembly. The primary purpose of trunnions was to enhance the mobility and aiming precision of heavy siege guns, which were increasingly deployed in European conflicts like the . These guns fired iron projectiles weighing 10 to 25 kg, delivering devastating force against fortifications while enabling gunners to adjust fire more efficiently during prolonged . By balancing the at its center of gravity, trunnions reduced the physical effort needed for repositioning, making more practical for field use despite the weapons' substantial weight—often exceeding several tons. Archaeological evidence underscores the initial implementation of trunnions in 15th-century artillery. For instance, surviving bronze cannons from , attributed to French manufacture in the late 15th to early , feature robust trunnions that facilitated their use in Mediterranean sieges. These artifacts, recovered from fortifications and shipwrecks, confirm the technology's role in transitioning from static bombards to more versatile pieces.

European Advancements and Military Significance

By the mid-15th century, trunnion technology had been adopted in European artillery, with protrusions cast onto barrels to mount them on wheeled carriages, enabling precise control for firing. This facilitated the use of longer guns, reaching up to 2.5 meters in length, which improved range and accuracy compared to earlier fixed or cradle-mounted designs. These advancements allowed European engineers to refine mobility for both sieges and field battles. Under King Charles VII of (r. 1422–1461), significant innovations emerged in the mid-15th century through the Bureau brothers, including standardized that incorporated trunnions for easier transport and aiming of . These reforms emphasized lighter, bronze-cast cannons with trunnion supports, allowing rapid deployment by horse-drawn teams and marking a shift toward professional trains. Charles VIII's 1494 invasion of exemplified this, as his army's mobile trunnion-equipped guns overwhelmed Italian defenses, enabling swift conquests of fortified cities like through accurate, high-volume bombardment. The military impact extended into the early 16th century, with trunnion-enhanced proving decisive in key engagements. At the 1512 Siege of Ravenna, French forces under Gaston de Foix deployed over 50 guns on trunnion carriages to breach walls rapidly, combining siege and field tactics for a tactical victory despite heavy losses. Similarly, in the 1515 , Francis I's train of 200 light pieces, maneuverable via trunnions, inflicted devastating casualties on Swiss pikemen, securing French dominance in through sustained, accurate fire over two days. These events demonstrated how trunnions enabled faster repositioning and reloading, transforming sieges from prolonged ordeals into decisive operations. Ottoman forces also adopted similar trunnion designs in the late , enhancing their in campaigns like the 1453 . The broader significance of these European advancements lay in reshaping warfare and state power dynamics. Trunnion technology favored larger, centralized states capable of funding extensive production and , shifting balance away from feudal levies toward armies and contributing to the consolidation of monarchies like . In response, fortifications evolved with defensive innovations such as slopes to deflect cannonballs and the trace italienne system of low, angled forts, which dispersed artillery impacts and allowed enfilading fire, as seen in early 16th-century Italian redesigns. This interplay between offensive trunnion-based guns and adaptive defenses prolonged sieges but ultimately amplified the role of in European conflicts.

Engineering Applications

In Vehicles and Suspension Systems

In vehicle suspension systems, trunnions serve as pivotal connections that link upper and lower control arms to the , enabling controlled wheel articulation and maintaining alignment during motion. In older automotive designs, such as the series from the 1950s to 1970s, upper and lower trunnions were integral to the front suspension, where they housed bushings and bolts to secure the wishbones and vertical links, allowing the wheels to pivot smoothly over uneven surfaces while transmitting steering inputs. This configuration provided a simple, low-friction pivot point essential for the era's setups. In , trunnions function as critical pivot points in assemblies, facilitating retraction, extension, and shock absorption during takeoff, landing, and . These components structurally support the gear , bearing the aircraft's weight and dynamic loads while allowing rotational movement to align wheels with the ground and absorb impacts from rough runways. For instance, trunnion pins transfer shear and torsional forces from the gear to the , ensuring stability under high-stress conditions. For heavy transport applications, axle trunnions in trucks and semi-trailers support substantial loads by distributing weight across multiple axles in a trunnion configuration, often handling up to 60,000 pounds in tridem setups for trailers. In semi-trailers, these trunnions mount axles to the frame rails, enabling independent vertical movement for better conformity and load balancing during hauling of or freight. Heavy-duty variants, such as those rated for 38,000 to 44,000 pounds, enhance durability in severe off-road or high-payload operations. The primary advantages of trunnions in these systems include reduced wear on surrounding joints through their pivot design, which minimizes and allows greater articulation under dynamic loads, thereby improving overall handling and stability. By enabling independent movement, they enhance load distribution and shock absorption, contributing to a smoother ride and extended component life in demanding environments.

In Civil Engineering and Bridges

In , trunnions function as robust pivot assemblies in large-scale , particularly movable bridges, where they enable precise and distribute immense loads to facilitate and transportation. These components, often forged from high-strength , support spans weighing thousands of tons while withstanding dynamic forces from , currents, and . Their design ensures minimal and maximal stability, making them indispensable for urban waterways and ports. Trunnion bascule bridges represent the primary application, with trunnions serving as massive horizontal axles—typically 0.5 to 2 meters in —that allow bridge leaves to raise vertically like a . London's , completed in 1894, exemplifies this use as a double-leaf roller-bearing trunnion bascule, with a central span of 61 meters (200 feet) across the Thames and opening over 6,000 times annually in its early years, such as 6,194 times in 1894, to balance maritime and road demands. In the operating mechanism, trunnions are securely mounted on fixed concrete piers, bearing the rotating assembly of the bascule leaf and embedded counterweights to maintain equilibrium via the system's center of gravity. This setup minimizes energy requirements for lifting, as the counterweights—often concrete-filled for stability—counterbalance the deck's weight, enabling hydraulic or electric actuation to raise leaves to 80-90 degrees in under five minutes. The term "bascule" originates from the French word for seesaw, underscoring the balanced rocking motion central to the design. Beyond bascules, trunnions appear in swing bridges, where they form the central pivot bearings for horizontal rotation on piers, and in rail yard turntables, supporting reorientation under heavy axial loads. Chicago's Michigan Avenue Bridge (renamed in 2010), opened in 1920, stands as a landmark modern instance: the world's first double-deck, double-leaf fixed trunnion bascule, with a main span of 78 meters (256 feet) and ornate bas-relief towers and accommodating both vehicular and pedestrian traffic on multiple levels. Engineering these trunnions demands resilience against millions of fatigue-inducing cycles—some bridges logging over 100,000 openings lifetime—alongside seismic accelerations up to 0.5g and corrosive marine environments. Retrofits, such as the 2012-2013 bearing replacement and coatings on structures like Chicago's 92nd Street Bridge, address pitting and scaling to prevent failures and extend operational life beyond a century.

In Industrial Machinery and Valves

In industrial machinery, trunnions serve as pivotal supports for rotating workpieces, enabling precise manipulation during processes. Trunnion tables, commonly integrated into computer numerical control (CNC) systems, allow for 360-degree access to components, facilitating multi-axis without repositioning the fixture. These tables, often featuring dual rotary axes, support efficient production of complex parts in industries such as and automotive . In applications like mills, trunnions function as roller supports to bear substantial loads and ensure smooth rotation of large equipment, such as roll stands and furnace components. For instance, roll trunnions provide structural integrity and alignment in high-temperature environments, minimizing vibration and wear during continuous operations. Trunnion-mounted valves represent a critical application in fluid control systems, particularly for high-pressure s in the and gas sectors. These valves feature an upper and lower trunnion stem that anchors the in place, preventing axial movement and distributing line pressure evenly across seats for reliable operation. Designed in accordance with the () Standard 6D, which specifies requirements for and valves, trunnion-mounted designs have been a benchmark for integrity since the standard's first edition in , with widespread adoption for large-diameter, high-pressure services by the . The primary benefits of trunnion-mounted ball valves include reduced operating , which allows for smaller actuators and lower , and enhanced sealing through pressure-energized seats that maintain integrity on both upstream and downstream sides. This design excels in petrochemical plants handling pressures exceeding 1,000 psi, such as in transmission systems where fire-safe construction and double block-and-bleed capabilities are essential for safety and leak prevention. In the 2020s, advancements have focused on integrating trunnion valves with automated actuators and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote control in smart industrial systems. These enhancements improve efficiency and safety in automated processes, as seen in Emerson's valve solutions for demanding oil and gas applications.

Technical Components

Trunnion Bearings

Trunnion bearings are specialized cylindrical or journal bearings designed to support the journals of trunnion assemblies, typically arranged in opposing pairs to effectively manage both axial and radial loads while facilitating smooth rotational movement. These bearings provide stable support for rotating shafts or , ensuring minimal friction and precise alignment in demanding mechanical systems. Common types of trunnion bearings include plain bearings, which consist of lubricated sleeves offering robust support for low-speed, high-load scenarios through a hydrodynamic oil film; rolling-element bearings, such as those using rollers in pillow block housings, suited for applications requiring higher rotational speeds; and hydrostatic bearings, which employ an externally pressurized fluid film to achieve near-zero friction and exceptional load-bearing capacity in large-scale equipment like SAG mills. In all trunnion-based applications, these bearings are critical for reducing friction and distributing loads evenly, thereby enhancing in rotary machinery across industries such as and . A key failure mode is scoring, often resulting from misalignment that causes uneven contact and surface damage to the bearing journals. Maintenance of trunnion bearings requires regular adherence to schedules tailored to the bearing type and operating conditions, along with precise alignment checks to maintain tolerances below 0.001 inch, preventing issues like and premature wear.

Design Principles and Materials

The design of trunnions requires rigorous stress analysis to accommodate various loading conditions, often employing beam theory to evaluate and shear stresses. For configurations with a point load at the free end, the maximum can be calculated as M=F×LM = F \times L, where FF represents the applied and LL the effective length, allowing engineers to predict deformation and ensure component stability under operational loads. Safety factors typically range from 2 to 4 are incorporated to account for dynamic loads, uncertainties in , and potential impact forces, thereby enhancing reliability in high-stress environments. Material selection for trunnions prioritizes strength, resistance, and environmental compatibility based on the application. High-strength alloy steels, such as AISI 4140, are commonly chosen for demanding uses like components and modern pivot mechanisms due to their excellent , abrasion resistance, and high strength, typically around 440 MPa, in normalized conditions. In corrosive settings, such as bridge structures exposed to weathering, bronzes like ASTM B22 Alloy 937 (containing approximately 80% , 10% tin, and 10% lead) provide superior resistance and low , supporting bearing loads up to 1,000 psi while minimizing wear. Since the 2000s, lightweight composites, including carbon fiber-reinforced polymers, have been integrated into trunnions to reduce weight by up to 50% compared to metals, offering high and endurance suitable for dynamic pivots. Manufacturing processes for trunnions balance scale, precision, and cost, with employed for large components to achieve complex shapes via or methods, followed by for uniformity. CNC refines surfaces and journals for tight fits, ensuring dimensional accuracy essential for rotational performance. Standard tolerances, such as H7/g6 for journal bearings, provide a close sliding fit with clearances of 0.010–0.028 mm for diameters around 50 mm, minimizing play while allowing . Contemporary trunnion design incorporates finite element analysis (FEA) tools like to simulate under cyclic loading, predicting crack initiation and extending by optimizing geometry against stress concentrations. In the 2020s, sustainability efforts emphasize recycled alloys, with structural steels incorporating up to 92% recycled content to reduce energy consumption by 74% and CO2 emissions during production, aligning with principles without compromising mechanical properties.

References

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