POWERPLANT - RECIPROCATING ENGINE Flashcards
During which stroke of the Otto cycle does the fuel-air mixture get compressed?
Compression stroke
In the Otto cycle, what is the primary purpose of the power stroke?
To convert chemical energy into mechanical energy
Which phase of the Otto cycle involves the piston moving upwards and both intake and exhaust valves closed?
Compression stroke
What are the main components of a reciprocating engine?
Cylinder, piston, crankshaft, camshaft, and valves
What is the primary function of the carburetor in an aircraft engine?
Mix fuel and air
Which part of the engine does the crankshaft connect to?
Piston
What is the purpose of the magneto in an aircraft engine?
Provide spark for ignition
Which component in a reciprocating engine controls the opening and closing of the valves?
Camshaft
What is the primary function of the spark plug in a piston engine?
Ignite the fuel-air mixture
Which component in a reciprocating engine converts linear motion into rotary motion?
Crankshaft
What is the primary purpose of the fuel strainer in an aircraft engine?
Filter out contaminants
What is the main function of the camshaft in a piston engine?
Regulate the opening and closing of valves
Which component in a reciprocating engine helps reduce friction between moving parts?
Bearings
Which component is responsible for controlling the timing of the spark in a reciprocating engine?
Magneto
How is fuel typically delivered to the cylinders in a fuel-injected engine?
By fuel injectors
What type of fuel system is commonly found in Continental fuel-injected engines?
Continuous flow fuel injection
What is the primary function of the alternator in an aircraft engine?
a. Generate electrical power
Which type of cooling system uses air flowing through the engine cowling to cool the engine?
Air cooling
What is the purpose of the scavenge pump in a dry sump lubrication system?
Remove excess oil from the engine
Which component in a reciprocating engine converts linear motion into rotational motion?
Crankshaft
What component in a reciprocating engine controls the timing of the intake and exhaust valves?
Camshaft
What is the purpose of an intercooler in a turbocharged engine?
Cool the air before it enters the engine
What is the purpose of a supercharger in an aircraft engine?
Increase air pressure in the intake manifold
What component controls the fuel-air mixture in a fuel-injected engine?
Injector nozzles
What is the function of the intercooler in a turbocharged piston engine?
Decrease intake air temperature
Which component helps reduce the vibration of an aircraft engine?
Vibration damper
What is the purpose of the oil cooler in an aircraft engine?
Decrease engine temperature
What is the purpose of the exhaust manifold in an aircraft engine?
Collect and expel exhaust gases
What does the term ‘critical altitude’ refer to in a turbocharged engine?
The altitude at which the turbocharger no longer provides additional boost
What is the function of a fuel injector in a fuel-injected engine?
Inject fuel directly into the combustion chamber
What is the primary function of a turbocharger in an aircraft engine?
Compress incoming air
What is the purpose of the primer in a piston engine?
Inject fuel directly into the cylinders
What component adjusts the mixture control in a fuel-injected engine?
Mixture control valve
What type of lubrication system is typically used in a reciprocating aircraft engine?
Pressure lubrication
What is the purpose of baffles in an aircraft engine’s cooling system?
Direct airflow around the engine
What is the function of the wastegate in a turbocharged engine?
Control the flow of exhaust gases to the turbocharger
What is the main disadvantage of a carbureted engine compared to a fuel- injected engine?
Susceptibility to icing
What is the purpose of the mixture control in a piston engine?
Adjust the fuel-to-air ratio
What does the term ‘supercharger’ refer to in aircraft engines?
A device that compresses intake air
What is the function of a fuel flow divider in a fuel-injected engine?
Distribute fuel evenly to all cylinders
What is the primary advantage of a dry sump lubrication system?
Better cooling and lubrication under high loads
Which component regulates the pressure of the fuel entering the carburetor?
Fuel pressure regulator
What does the term ‘ram air’ refer to in an aircraft induction system?
Air forced into the engine by the aircraft’s forward motion
What is a key feature of the Lycoming IO series engines?
Fuel injection system
What is a common method to identify Lycoming engines in maintenance records?
By model designation (e.g., O-360, IO-540)
Which of the following is a characteristic of Continental engines?
They are typically horizontally opposed and air-cooled
What is the purpose of the lubricating oil in a reciprocating engine?
To lubricate moving parts and reduce friction
Which oil viscosity is typically used in colder climates for reciprocating engines?
SAE 20
How does a fuel injection system in a reciprocating engine improve
performance?
delivering fuel more precisely to each cylinder
What is the function of the intercooler in a turbocharged engine?
To cool the compressed air before it enters the combustion chamber
What is the typical compression ratio range for an aircraft reciprocating engine?
7:1 to 9:1
