Ch 2B - Powerplant and Related Systems Flashcards
AC
Alternating Current - alternators produce
DC
Direct Current - alternator rectifier converts AC to DC
Turbine engine
Costly, powerful
Reciprocating engine
Converts fuel into mechanical energy within cylinders
Four-stroke operating cycle
intake of fuel/air mix, compression by the piston, ignition and expansion of the gas, venting of burned gas
Throttle control
Controls engine power by regulating the amount of fuel and air mixture that flows into the cylinders
Mixture control
Controls the fuel/air ratio
Intake port
Where outside air enters induction system
Carburetor
Mixes the incoming air with fuel and delivers it to the combustion chamber
Carburetor ice
Caused by fuel vaporization and decreasing air pressure in the venturi, more likely to occur below 21C(70F) and relative humidity above 80%, carburetor heat systems route air across heat source before entering carburetor
Supercharger
compresses incoming air using a pump driven by the engine
Constant speed propeller
adjusted in cockpit, manifold pressure gauge monitor engine output by displaying pressure in inches of mercury (Hg)
Constant speed propeller
adjusted in cockpit by propeller control, manifold pressure gauge monitor engine output by displaying pressure in inches of mercury (Hg) and propeller control sets engine RPM on the tachometer, low RPM and high manifold pressure causes engine stress
Fixed pitch propeller is displayed on
a tachometer in revolutions per minute (RPM)
Fuel injection
increases engine efficiency and eliminates carburetor ice
Turbocharger
pressurizes air using a mechanism driven by engine exhaust gases
Magneto
self-contained, supplies electrical current to the spark plugs
Detonation
uncontrolled explosive ignition of the fuel/air mixture within the cylinders combustion chamber
Preignition
uncontrolled combustion of fuel in advance of normal ignition
Fuel pump system
engine driven pump provides fuel under pressure from the fuel tanks
Fuel pressure gauge
useful in measuring fuel pump malfunctions
Vapor lock
occurs when high engine temperatures cause bubbles of fuel vapor to form in the fuel lines or fuel pump
Gravity-feed system
fuel flows from fuel tanks to engine by gravity
Fuel tanks
usually in wings, has vent to make pressure equal in and out
Fuel quantity gauges
use sensing unit to measure fuel, measured in gallons/pounds/metric units
Fuel selector valve
Left/Right/Both/(Off)
Fuel strainer
removes moisture and other sediments that settle at sump in bottom of the strainer
Fill fuel tanks at end of the day
prevents moisture from condensing in tanks
If fuel grade is not available
use next higher grade if approved by manufacturer, using a lower grade will cause engine to overheat
Dry sump system
oil is contained in a separate tank and circulated through the engine by pumps
wet sump system
all oil is carried in a sump that is part of the engine
oil used for
lubrication of internal parts and cooling
oil pressure gauge
indicates pressure in pound per square inch (PSI) or bars
oil temperature gauge
can take several minutes after starting to read increase in temp
High engine oil temp
caused by too low oil level
Immediately after starting the engine
adjust RPM and check engine instruments for proper indications
Cowl flap
creates a larger opening for air to exit the engine compartment
Excessive engine temperatures
can result in loss of power, high oil consumption, and engine damage
cylinder head temperature gauge
provides direct temp reading from one of the engine cylinders
Engine temp can be reduced by
enriching the mixture, reducing the rate of climb, increasing airspeed, or reducing power
If oil and cylinder head temp are above normal
you might be using too much power with an overly lean mixture
Fixed pitch propeller
blade angle is set for primary function of the airplane and cannot be adjusted
Climb propeller
propeller with low blade angle, provides best performance for takeoff and climb
Cruise propeller
propeller with high blade angle, optimized for high speed and altitude cruise
Alternator
produce AC current and then convert it to DC for use in the airplane
Ammeter
monitors electrical current in amperes, can measure current flowing to/from battery and/or loadmeter measures load on alternator
Master switch
controls entire electircal system except ignition system
Standby battery
disconnects from main bus and powers essential bus
When a mixture is leaned
fuel flow is decreased to compensate for decreased air density, can eliminate engine roughness during runup at high-elevation airports
During descents from high to low altitudes
you have to enrich the mixture control
First indication of carburetor ice in a fixed pitch propeller is
loss of RPM, caused by enriched mixture
Carburetor heat
decreases engine performance
If you suspect detonation on climbout
lower nose to increase airspeed and increase cooling airflow around the engine
How to reduce engine temps
enrich the mixture, reduce rate of climb, increase airspeed, or reduce power
