Powerplant Flashcards
provides the necessary source of power for the flight of airplanes
powerplant
engines used by light airplanes that are higher, simpler, and cost effective
reciprocated engines
ignites a mixture of air and fuel
spark plug
used for spark ignition for reciprocating engines for airplanes
spark plug
involves compressing the mixture to raise its temperature to a point where automatic ignition occurs, such as in diesel engines
compression ignition
types of cylinder arrangements
radial / inline / v-type / opposed
types of operating cycle
two stroke / four stroke
methods of cooling
liquid cooled / air cooled
poor power to weight ratio || if air cooled, the rear cylinders receive much less cooling air
inline engine
very compact, has minimal weight, and excellent air cooling || frontal large area is a penalty for performance
radial engine
extremely powerful || a complex machinery that requires a liquid cooling system
v-type engine
widely used engine in light airplanes || light and compact || has limited power
opposed type engine
main components of a reciprocating engine
crankshaft / crank case / connecting rod / cylinder / piston / spark plug / exhaust valve / intake valve
four stroke cycle
intake / compression / power / exhaust
indicates the revolutions per minute performed by the crankshaft
tachometer
aircraft needs more ______ than _______
torque , power
controls the RPM
throttle
regulates the amount of fuel and air mixture sent to the cylinders
throttle
progressive burning of the whole mixture contained in the cylinder, from the moment it is ignited by the spark plugs, to the point where the exhaust valves are open
normal combustion
ensures a smooth build up of temperature and pressure and guarantees that the engine delivers the maximum possible power
normal combustion
an uncontrolled, explosive combustion of the mixture, which may cause excessive pressures and temperatures in the combustion chamber, and excessive stress onto the piston, cylinder, and valves
detonation
cause of detonation
lower than usual fuel octane/compression ratio of fuel
occurs when the mixture ignites ahead of the normal timing
pre-ignition
cause of pre-ignition
residual hot spot in the combustion chamber
how to clean deposits
push for higher rpm, lean the mixture
high temperatures may cause fuel to vaporize inside the fuel lines or the carburetor, forming bubbles which cause momentary losses of power or even stall the engine
vapor lock
caused by contamination of fuel by water
fuel lock
changes in temperature may cause the condensation of the humidity contained in the air from the fuel tanks, particularly if partially filled
fuel lock