Final answer:
The firing order of an 18-cylinder double-row radial engine is designed to maintain balance and smooth operation. It will often alternate between two rows in a crisscross pattern, ensuring that adjacent cylinders do not fire consecutively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The firing order of an 18-cylinder double-row radial engine is a specific sequence in which the engine's cylinders power up to ensure smooth operation and balance within the engine. It's important to distinguish that each cylinder fires once per engine cycle, and the firing order aims to maintain the engine's balance and avoid vibrations. The exact firing order can differ between engine designs, but since it's an 18-cylinder engine, it would typically be arranged with two rows of nine cylinders.
Considering a common configuration for a double-row radial engine, where the firing order alternates between rows and progresses in a crisscross pattern, the firing order might look something like 1-10-5-14-9-18-13-8-3-12-7-16-11-6-15-2-17-4, with the odd numbers in one row and the even numbers in the other row. This sequence ensures that no two adjacent cylinders fire consecutively, reducing the risk of engine imbalance.