09. Piston Engine Power, Efficiency and Control Flashcards
Power
The power of an engine is dicated by which 2 things in relation to the cylinders
- MASS - mass of charge into the cylinder
- TIMING - number of times per second mass of charge is put int
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Power
On a fixed propeller engine, which instrument gives an indication of power being produced
RPM INDICATOR
(Tachometer)
Increased RPM roughly equates to an increased power for a given air density
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Power
On a variable pitch propeller which 2 indicators should be monitored to gauge power
- RPM
- MAP
Resolution per minute
Manifold Absolute Pressure
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Power
What is the dedicated guage for indicating power on a larger more sophisticated engine
This usually means Constant Speed Propeller Unit according to Padpilot
TORQUE GAUGE
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GENERAL REVISION
Pressure
Length
Area
Number of cylinders
Engine power (proportional to RPM)
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Power
What is the formula derived from Torque to determine power
POWER = TORQUE x RPM
T P R
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Power
Where is torque measured
GEARBOX
Betwee engine and propeller
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Efficiency
THe mechanical efficiency of a piston engine is never more than ____%
80%
This is the ratio of the actual power produced at the propeller shaft to the theoretical power
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Efficiency
What is the greatest contributor to the loss of mechanical efficiency in a piston engine
POOR THERMAL EFFICIENCY
Thermal efficiency is the ratio of work done by the engine to the mechanical equivalent of the heat energy released by combusting fuel
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Effiency
Thermal efficiency is expressed as a ratio of what to what
WORK DOWN to HEAT ENERGY
Thermal efficiency is the ratio of work done by the engine to the mechanical equivalent of the heat energy released by combusting fuel
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Efficiency
Modern piston engines are around ____% thermally efficient
33%
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Efficiency
As the compression ratio is increase, ____ is also increased
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
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Efficiency
Thermal efficiency indcreases with what
INCREASED COMPRESSION RATIO
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Efficiency
When the piston is at TDC, the tight space between the top of the piston and cylinder is known as what
CLEARANCE VOLUME
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Efficiency
WHen the piston is at BDC, the larger space between the top of the piston and the cylinder is known as what
TOTAL VOLUME
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Efficiency
What is the name given to the difference between the clearance volume and the total volume
SWEPT VOLUME
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Efficiency
What is the swept volume derived from
CLEARANCE VOLUME and TOTAL VOLUME
Difference between
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Efficiency
What does a HIGH compression ratio improve
THERMAL EFFICIENCY
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Efficiency
What is the formula for working out displacement
Displacement = Piston area x stroke x no. of cylinders
Swept volume multipled by the numebr of cylinders gives displacement
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Efficiency
The ____ volume multipled by ____ gives the displacement
- SWEPT
- No. of CYLINDERS
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Efficiency
Modern aero engines have a relatively short stroke. A short stroke INCREASES or DECREASES the width of the engine
DECREASES
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Efficiency
On a modern aero engine, what effect does a short stroke have on the engine
DECREASES OVERALL WIDTH
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Efficiency
What is signfiicant about the connecting rods on a short stroke engine
SHORTER = LESS INERTIA
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Efficiency
What is the less inertia created in a short stroke engine
SHORTED CONNECTING RODS
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Efficiency
In regards to the engine, what happens as a result of shorted connecting rods
MORE RESPONSIVE to RPM CHANGE
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Efficiency
How do aero engines compensate for shorter strokes
LARGE PISTON AREA
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Efficiency
What is the name given when the cylinder diameter equals the stroke
SQUARE or SQUARE CAGED
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Effciency
Square or square caged is the term given when what condition exists
CYLINDER DIAMETER equals the STROKE
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Efficiency
If a cylinder diameter exceeds the stroke, what name is given
OVER SQUARE
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Efficiency
Over square is a term used when what conditions exists
CYLINDER DIAMETER > stroke
Cylinder diameter is greater than stroke
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Efficiency
What is defined by the term volumetric efficiency
RATIO of MASS OF MIXTURE to MASS OF AIR
introduced to the cylinder
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Efficiency
The ratio of mass of mixture to the mass of air introduced into the cylinder is known as what
VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY
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Efficiency
What happens as a result of increased volumetric efficiency
INCREASED ENGINE POWER
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Efficiency
What 3 factors influence volumetric efficiency in a normally aspirated engine
- MIXTURE - ease mixture can enter cylinder
- DENSITY - density of air (alt, temp, humidity)
- EXHAUST - ease exhaust can leave cylinder
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Efficiency
Why does volumetric efficiency in a normally aspirated engine increase with altitude (when MAP remains constant)
REDUCED AIR DENSITY
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Efficiency
Why does volumetric efficiency in a normally aspirated engine increase with RPM
INCREASED MOMENTUM OF GASES
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Efficiency
Volumetric efficiency in normally aspirated engines increases under which 2 circumstances
- ALTITUDE - increased altitude means reduced density
(ONLY while MAP remains constant) - RPM - Increased momentum of the gases
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Efficiency
In a normally aspirated engine the maximum obtainable MAP will INCREASE or DECREASE with altitude.
Why does this happen
- DECREASE
- REDUCING ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
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Efficiency
What will happen to the MAP as altitude increases and why
- DECREASE
- REDUCING ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
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Efficiency
Maximum power in a normally aspirated engine is obtained where in terms of altitude
LOW PRESSURE ALTITUDE
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Efficiency
What will happen to power as altitude increases in a normally aspirated engine
REDUCES
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Efficiency
On a normally aspirated engine with a variable pitch propeller, if the aircraft climbs at maximum continuous power (NOT MAX POWER!), ____ and ____ can be kept constant by using which 2 levers
- MAP
- RPM
- THROTTLE & RPM
If an aircraft is climbing intially at less than full power, for example at max continuous power, both MAP and RPM can be kept constant using the throttle and RPM levers.
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Efficiency
On a normally aspirated engine with a variable pitch propeller, if the aircraft climbs at maximum continuous power and MAP and RPM are kept constant, power would INCREASE or DECREASE with altitude until the throttle is ____ and MAP can no longer be obtained
- INCREASE
- OPENED
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Control and handling
Piston engine instrumentation may include which following instruments
1. RPM Gauge [ ]
2. MAP Gauge [ ]
3. Boost Pressure Gauge [ ]
4. Oil Pressure Gauge [ ]
5. Oil Temperature Gauge [ ]
6. CHT gauge [ ]
7. EGT Gauge [ ]
8. Fuel Pressure Gauge [ ]
9. Induction System Temperature Gauge [ ]
ALL CORRECT
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Control and handling
What does the RPM gauge measure
CRANKSHAFT RPM
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Control and handling
What does the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) gauge measure and in what unit
MANIFOLD PRESSURE
(Hg in)
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Control and handling
Where does the oil pressure gauge measure the oil pressure
AFTER PRESSURE FILTER
Pressure filter immediately after the pressure pump
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Control and handling
Where does the oil temperature gauge measure the oil temperature
OIL RETURN LINE
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Control and handling
Specifically, what does the cylinder head temperature gauge (CHT) measure
HOTTEST CYLINDER
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Control and handling
On a carburettor engine, what does the fuel pressure gauge measure
FUEL PUMP OUTPUT PRESSURE
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Control and handling
On a fuel injected engine what does the fuel pressure gauge measure
MINFOLD OUTPUT PRESSURE
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Control and handling
What does an induction system temperature gauge measure
TEMPERATURE at CARBURETTOR INLET
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Control and handling
Piston engine controls may include the following;
1. Throttle lever [ ]
2. RPM lever [ ]
3. Mixture control [ ]
4. Carburettor heat control [ ]
5. Alternate air [ ]
6. Cowl flap lever [ ]
7. Ignition switch [ ]
8. Engine priming pump [ ]
9. Engine prime switch [ ]
ALL CORRECT
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Control and handling
On a fixed pitch propeller, the throttle lever alters the position of what component to control MAP or engine RPM
BUTTERFLY VALVE
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Control and handling
What sort of engine uses an RPM lever, and what does it set the RPM on
- CONSTANT SPEED ENGINE
- ENGINE/PROPELLER RPM
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Control and handling
What does the mixture control adjust
FUEL FLOW from CARBUERETTOR
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Control and handling
What does the carburettor heat control select
HOT, UNFILTERED ALTERNATE AIR
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Control and handling
What sort of engine has an alternate air control, and why would this be used
- INJECTED ENGINES
- If FILTERED AIR becomes BLOCKED
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Control and handling
What is the purpose of adjusting the cowl flap lever
REGULATE CHT
ADjust position of cowl flap to introduce or remove cooling air to CHT
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Control and handling
What are 2 overriding principles of engine management that must be adopted for all types of engines
- MINIMISE THERMAL STRESS
- AVOID OVERBOOSTING
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Control and handling
What sort of system does the term “Rev UP, Throttle BACK” apply to
CONSTANT SPEED PROPELLER UNIT
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Control and handling
What is meant by the term “Rev UP, Throttle BACK”.
INCREASEING SPEED - (REV UP) - Increase RPM (rev) before Throttle (MAP)
DECREASE SPEED - (THROTTLE BACK) - Decrease Throttle (MAP) before RPM (rev)
ON A CONSTANT SPEED PROPELLER UNIT
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Control and handling
Where are fuel drains situated on an aircraft and why
LOWEST POINT of fuel system
WATER HEAVIER than fuel
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Control and handling
What are 2 reasons why starting an engine in cold temperatures is difficult when considering the fuel and electrical systems
- FUEL VAPORISING - ability is reduced in the cold
- BATTERY PERFORMANCE - reduced in cold
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Control and handling
Why should carb heat be avoided when the engine is running on the ground
UNFILTERED AIR
Risk of drawing particles up into the engine from the ground
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Control and handling
What is a risk of prolonged idling of the engine in regards to spark plugs
EXCESSIVE FOULING
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Control and handling
What are the 2 power ratings that some high performance rated engines will have
- TAKE-OFF POWER
- MAX CONTINUOUS POWER
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Control and handling
On some high performance rated engines, there are 2 power modes, Take-off and max continuous power. What is the main difference between the 2 in regards to time and when should each be used
TAKE OFF POWER
Time limited
Used for take-off and go around
MAX CONTINUOUS POWER
NOT time limited
Used for prolonged climb
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Control and handling
When changing power settings, how should the throttle lever be operated
SLOWLY and SMOOTHLY
Reduce stress on the engine
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Control and handling
What power setting should the engine be set to as soon as possible after take-off
MAX CONTINUOUS POWER
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Control and handling
How can thermal shock be avoided on engine shut-down
RUN ON LOW RPM
Run engine on low RPM for a few minutes to be allowed to cool
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Control and handling
- What can excessively weak mixture cause to the cylinder heads.
- What does this increase the risk of
- EXCESSIVELY HOT CHT
- DETONATION
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Control and handling
What 4 things could cause rough running in a SEP engine
I See Moist Fuel
- ICING - carb icing
- COMPRESSION - uneven compression in cylinder
- MOISTURE - in the ignition circuit
- FUEL - issues with fuel delivery
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Control and handling
- What does black smoke in the exhaust indicate
- Black smoke in the exhaust immediately after engine start may indicate what
- EXCESSIVELY RICH MIXTURE
- OVER PRIMING or UNLOCKED PRIMER PUMP
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Control and handling
- Blue smoke in the exhaust is caused by what
- This may indicate what problem
- OIL BURNING
- WORN or BROKEN PISTON RINGS
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Control and handling
A HIGH or LOW CHT may indicate cowl flaps being left closed
HIGH
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Control and handling
If the cowl flaps are left closed during ground running and taxing, what might likely be a probable result
EXCESSIVE CHT
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Control and handling
What is the technique to attempt to extinguish a carburettor fire as a result of excessive priming
CRANK THE ENGINE
This should ingest all the excess fuel into the engine
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Control and handling
What does FADEC stand for
Full Authority Digital Engine Control
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Control and handling
A FADEC monitors multiple parameters. It is able to adjust fule flow to injectors. To achieve this, specifically what 4 things will it be monitoring to make these adjustments
- AIR - Temperature and pressure
- THROTTLE - lever angle
- ENGINE - Internal conditions
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Control and handling
a FADEC controls fuel and air ratio. This means that there is no need for what control by the pilot
MIXTURE CONTROL
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Control and handling
A FADEC system is critical to engine control and therefore must be provided with what
REDUNDANCY
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On a modern FADEC system, to provide electrically isolated channels, each channel has a dedicated what
PERMANENT MAGNET ALTERNATOR
(PMG)
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summary
Power increasaes with increased ____. This is the ratio of ____ mixture to mixture at ____.
- VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY
- COMPRESSED
- AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
Summary