AIRCRAFT ENGINE TYPES

THE HEAT ENGINE

THE HEAT ENGINE
Modern heavier-than-air aircraft utilize thrust to remain
in flight.
This thrust is provided by a heat engine.
All heat engines convert chemical energy (fuel) into
heat energy.
This heat energy is converted into mechanical energy
which is harnessed to provide thrust.
In all heat engines the working fluid (fuel/air mixture) is
compressed to a high pressure relative to the
atmosphere.
ENGINE TYPES
Reciprocating - utilizes reciprocating pistons.
Turboprop - turbine-driven compressor.
Turbojet - turbine-driven compressor.
Ramjet - ram compression due to high flight
speed.
Pulse-jet - compression due to combustion.
Rocket - compression due to combustion.
GENERAL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
Efficiency- the engine must be able to operate
efficiently under a wide range of atmospheric
conditions.
Economy- the engine must be economic to
produce, run, and maintain.
Reliability- the engine must be able to endure
long periods of operation at high power settings
without failure.
OPERATION SPECIFIC ENGINES
The engine selected for an aircraft depends on the type of flying
it will do.
Propeller driven aircraft are more fuel efficient at low speeds,
while jet powered aircraft are more efficient at high speeds.
This high speed efficiency is more economical on long trips.
Turboprop aircraft combine the reliability of a turbine engine with
the low speed (short trip) efficiency of a propeller driven aircraft.
These turbine driven engines are able to operate at higher
altitudes, giving them an operational advantage. (these benefits
come at a cost)
RECIPROCATING ENGINE TYPES
Reciprocating engines are normally
classified by cylinder arrangement.
In-line
V-type
Radial
Horizontally opposed
Diesel
RECIPROCATING ENGINE TYPES
They are further categorized by the number of cylinders and the
method of cooling.
Engines are either air cooled or liquid cooled. In either case
excess heat is transferred to the surrounding air.
An air cooled engine transfers heat from the cylinders directly to
the air flow routed around the cylinders.
A liquid cooled engine transfers heat from the cylinders to a
liquid coolant which in turn transfers the heat to the airflow
through the radiator.
Most aircraft engines are air cooled. (this method is lighter and
cheaper but not as effective)
In-line
Advantages:
streamlined (less drag)
visibility (if inverted)
Disadvantages:
long crankshaft (limits power output)
ground clearance
ineffective cooling of rear cylinders
Horizontally Opposed
Advantages:
streamlined (less drag)
visibility
less vibration
Disadvantages:
limited power (crankshaft length)
uneven cooling
V-type
Advantages:
visibility
Disadvantages:
limited power (crankshaft length)
uneven cooling
Radial
Advantages:
power (rows of cylinders can be added while maintaining a
short crankshaft)
cooling
Disadvantages:
drag
hydraulicing (oil tends to pool in the low cylinder during
extended shutdown periods) This problem can cause major
engine damage if the engine is started. The problem can be
detected by hand pulling the engine and then draining the oil
by removing the spark plug.
Hydraulic Lock (hydraulicing)
Multi-row Radial
Radial Engine
Diesel
Advantages:
fuel consumption
fuel cost
less maintenance (longer duration between overhauls)
fuel availability
Disadvantages:
weight
cost
(both of these aspects have been improved upon as more
research driven by high fuel costs has been devoted to
developing diesel engines for light aircraft)
Reciprocating Engine Components
Basic components and mechanical principles are
shared by all reciprocating engines.
Different types of cylinder arrangement, cooling type,
and fuel require different component arrangements.
Engine components are made of materials chosen for
their combination of strength, durability, weight, and
heat resistance (ability to maintain structural integrity
over repeated heating and cooling cycles).
Crankcase
The crankcase is the main structure of the engine which contains
the bearings for the crankshaft.
The crankcase is designed to house the crankshaft, camshafts,
and lubricating oil.
Externally the crankcase must accommodate the cylinders and
peripheral or accessory components.
Aircraft crankcases are usually made of cast or forged aluminum
alloy because of its lightweight and strength. (Forged steel is
used in some high output engines).
The crankcase must be able to endure multidirectional forces,
vibration and extreme operating temperatures.
Crankcase
Crankshaft
The crankshaft transforms the reciprocating
(linear up and down) motion of the pistons into
rotary force for the propeller.
The crankshaft is exposed to most of the forces
developed by the engine.
The length of the crankshaft then becomes one
of the main limiting factors when designing an
engine.
Crankshaft
Crankshaft Components
Main journal: rotates within the main bearing.
Rod journal: rotates within the connecting rod
bearing.
Counterweight: used to balance the crankshaft
and reduce vibration.
Connecting Rod
The connecting rod connects the piston to the
crankshaft.
It transmits forces between the piston and
crankshaft.
Piston
The piston moves up and down within the
cylinder.
It draws the fuel/air mixture into the cylinder and
drives the crankshaft on the downward stroke.
It compresses the fuel/air mixture on the upward
stroke.
Piston Rings
Piston rings fit into grooves on
the side of the piston and form
the seal between the piston and
cylinder wall.
The rings are designed with a
gap which is forced closed when
the piston is inserted into the
cylinder to form a spring loaded
seal.
Functions
Compression gas sealing:Piston rings
maintain gas compression between the piston
and cylinder wall. They prevent combustion gas
from escaping. A leak would cause a decrease
in power.
Functions
Lubricating oil film control:The cylinder walls
must be coated with a thin film of lubricating oil,
to reduce friction, and prevent damage to the
cylinder and piston. The oil ring controls this thin
film of oil.
Functions
Heat transfer:Piston rings transfer heat from
the piston to the cylinder. The heat is then
removed form the cylinder by an air or liquid
cooling system.
Functions
Piston support:piston rings help keep the
piston tracking properly within the cylinder. If the
piston were to incline within the cylinder and
touch the cylinder walls it would cause the
engine to fail.
Cylinders
The cylinder is the portion of the engine where the
power is developed.
The cylinder forms the combustion chamber where the
fuel/air mixture is ignited and burned.
Factors affecting cylinder design:
strong enough to withstand internal pressures.
lightweight construction.
heat-conducting properties for efficient cooling.
easy and inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.
Cylinders
The cylinder headsof an air-cooled engine
house the intake and exhaust valves.
The cylinder barrels house the piston and
connecting rod assembly.
The cylinder head of an air-cooled engine is
usually made of aluminum alloy due to its heat
conductivity properties and light weight.
Firing Order
The cylinders of a reciprocating engine are
always assigned numbers.
The numbering theme varies depending on the
type of engine and the engine manufacturer.
The firing order is the sequence the firing of the
cylinders occurs in.
The firing order of an engine is designated in
such a way as to reduce vibration.
Valves
The fuel/air mixture or charge enters the
combustion chamber through the intake valve
while the burned gases are expelled through the
exhaust valve.
The valves are housed within the cylinder head.
Valves are subjected to extreme operating
conditions within the combustion chamber.
Valve Operation
The valves are held closed by springs and actuated to
the open position by mechanical linkage made up of a
tappet (lifter),pushrod androcker arm.
The lobes on the camshaft push the tappet, pushrod
and rocker arm assembly upwards which in turn opens
the corresponding valve.
The opening and closing of each valve must be
synchronized with the with the movement of the piston.
Camshaft
Valve lift:the distance the valve is lifted off its
seat.
Valve duration:the length of time the valve is
held open.
The camshaftis responsible for actuating the
tappet, pushrod, and rocker arm assembly.
The shape of the cam lobesdetermine the valve
duration and lift.
Camshaft
The camshaft is driven by a gear which is
directly connected to a gear attached to the
crankshaft.
The camshaft always rotates at half the speed of
the crankshaft.
This timing allows each piston to complete its
four-stroke cycle. (the valves will remain closed
for two of the four piston strokes)
Bearings
Bearing:any surface which supports, or is
supported by another surface.
Bearings are used within engines to reduce
friction between rotating components.
There are three distinct types of bearings:
Plain
Ball
Roller
Plain: designed to handle radial
loads. Used for the crankshaft, cam
shaft, connecting rods. Lubricated
through oil channels, or made of
self lubricating materials
(bushings).
Roller: Can be designed to
withstand both radial and thrust
loads. Used for crankshafts is high
performance engines.
Ball: Used for superchargers
impeller shaft bearings, and some
rocker arm applications.
REDUCTION GEARING
Propellers are efficient through a limited range of
rpm.
Depending on engine output and propeller
design reduction gearing may be necessary.
Three common forms are:
Spur and pinion
Spur planetary
Bevel planetary
Pictures\Gear Reduction.mpg