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Questions and Answers
Which of the following are types of reciprocating engines? (Select all that apply)
What are the four stages of the engine power cycle?
Intake, Compression, Power, Exhaust
The induction system of an engine is responsible for fueling the engine.
False
What happens when carb heat is applied during carburetor icing?
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Which system is used to ignite the fuel/air mixture in a cylinder?
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What are two kinds of abnormal combustion in engines?
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What is the primary function of the fuel system?
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What is the purpose of a primer in an aircraft fuel system?
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The ______ system allows the fuel to flow by gravity from the tanks to the engine.
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What type of fuel is 100LL?
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What does the lubrication system do in an engine?
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A fixed-pitch propeller has blades that can rotate to change their angle.
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Match the types of propellers with their characteristics:
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What is the typical propeller efficiency range?
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Which of the following is a type of reciprocating engine?
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What are the four strokes of the engine power cycle?
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The induction system is responsible for delivering fuel to the cylinders.
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The two types of induction systems are ___ and ___ systems.
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What causes detonation in an engine?
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What is the function of the fuel system in an aircraft engine?
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A dry sump system contains oil in an integral part of the engine.
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What is the purpose of cowl flaps in an aircraft engine?
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What type of electrical system does a typical modern light airplane use?
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What is the significance of the propeller governor in an aircraft?
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Typical propeller efficiency is between ___ and ___ percent.
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Study Notes
Engine Types
-
Reciprocating Engines:
- Opposed: Cylinders directly opposed on crankshaft.
- Radial: Cylinders arranged in a circular manner.
- V-Type: V-shaped cylinder configuration.
- In-line: Cylinders lined up in a single row.
Engine Operating Cycle
-
Four-stroke Cycle: Continuous energy creation process.
- Intake: Air enters the cylinder.
- Compression: Air is compressed in the cylinder.
- Power: Combustion of the air-fuel mixture drives the piston.
- Exhaust: Burned gases are expelled from the cylinder.
Induction System
- Function: Delivers air and fuel to the cylinders.
-
Engine Controls:
- Throttle: Controls airflow and engine power.
- Mixture Control: Adjusts fuel/air ratio.
-
Types:
- Carburetor: Mixes fuel and air using a venturi effect.
- Fuel Injection: Delivers fuel directly to the cylinders.
-
Carb Icing:
-
Indicators:
- RPM drop followed by slow increase when carb heat is applied.
- RPM increase when carb heat is removed.
-
Indicators:
- Intake Port: Contains an air filter to prevent dust and debris from entering the engine.
Ignition System
- Function: Ignites the air/fuel mixture.
-
Components:
- Magnetos: Self-contained units that generate spark.
- Spark Plugs: Deliver the spark to the combustion chamber.
- Wires: Connect the ignition switch, magnetos, and spark plugs.
- Ignition Switch: Controls magneto operation.
- Dual Ignition System: Improves engine power and safety.
Abnormal Combustion
-
Detonation: Uncontrolled explosive ignition of the air/fuel mixture.
-
Causes:
- Low-grade fuel.
- Lean fuel/air mixture.
- Overheated mixture temperature.
- High cylinder head temperature.
- Abrupt throttle opening at low engine speed.
-
Causes:
-
Pre-ignition: Ignition before spark ignition occurs.
-
Causes:
- Detonation.
- Hot spots in the combustion chamber (carbon deposits).
-
Causes:
Fuel System
- Function: Stores and delivers fuel to the engine.
-
Types:
- Gravity-fed: Fuel flows by gravity from tanks to the engine.
- Fuel Pump System: Used when fuel tanks are below the engine.
-
Components:
- Primer: Pumps fuel into the intake for cold starts.
- Fuel Tanks: Typically in the wings with vents and overflow drains.
- Fuel Quantity Gauge: Displays fuel levels.
- Fuel Selector Valve: Allows switching between fuel tanks.
- Vapor Lock: Air entering the fuel system.
Refueling
- Safety: Minimize static electricity using ground wires.
-
Fuel Grade:
- **80 (Mogas): ** Red
- 100LL (Avgas): Blue
- **100: ** Green
- Jet A-1 (Turbine): Colorless
Lubrication System
- Function: Lubricates, cools, seals, and cleans the engine.
-
Types:
- Dry Sump: Oil is contained in a separate tank with pumps for circulation.
- Wet Sump: Oil is stored in the engine's sump.
-
Components:
- Dipstick: Measures oil level.
- Oil Pressure Gauge: Shows oil pressure.
- Oil Temperature Gauge: Shows oil temperature.
Cooling System
- Function: Regulates engine temperature.
-
Components:
- Cowl Flaps: Control airflow around the engine.
Electrical System
- Type: Direct current (DC).
-
Components:
- Alternator: Generates electric power when the engine is running.
- Battery: Provides emergency and starting power.
- Bus Bar: Electrical distribution center.
- Ammeter/Load Meter: Measures current flow.
- Master Switch: Controls all electrical components (except magneto).
- Fuses/Circuit Breakers: Protect electrical equipment from overload.
Exhaust System
- Function: Carries exhaust gases away from the engine.
- Important Info: Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide and must be kept out of the cabin.
Propellers
- Function: Produce thrust.
-
Types:
-
Fixed-Pitch: Blades have a set angle.
- Climb: Low blade angle.
- Cruise: High blade angle.
-
Constant-Speed: Blade angle can be adjusted.
- Throttle Control: Adjusts manifold pressure.
- Propeller Control: Sets engine RPM.
-
Fixed-Pitch: Blades have a set angle.
- Propeller Governor: Automatically adjusts blade angle.
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Pitch:
- Low: Slow flight.
- High: Fast flight.
- Geometric Pitch: Theoretical advance per revolution.
- Effective Pitch: Actual advance per revolution.
- Propeller Efficiency: Ratio of thrust horsepower (propeller) to brake horsepower (engine).
Engine Types
- Reciprocating engines are categorized as opposed, radial, V-type, or in-line.
- Opposed engines have cylinders directly opposite on the crankshaft.
- Radial engines have cylinders arranged in a circular manner.
- V-type engines have cylinders in a V configuration.
- In-line engines have cylinders lined up in a single row.
Reciprocating Engine Parts
- Crankshaft: Converts reciprocating motion of pistons into rotary motion.
- Connecting Rods: Connect pistons to the crankshaft.
- Pistons: Move up and down in the cylinders, converting fuel energy into mechanical energy.
- Cylinders: Housings for pistons, where combustion occurs.
- Valves: Control intake and exhaust of air/fuel mixture.
Operating Cycle
- The 4-stroke operating cycle consists of intake, compression, power, and exhaust.
- Intake: Air and fuel mixture enter the cylinder.
- Compression: Mixture is compressed by the piston.
- Power: Compressed mixture ignites, driving the piston.
- Exhaust: Burned gases are expelled from the cylinder.
Induction System
- Delivers air and fuel mixture to the cylinders.
- Carb heat: Used to prevent carburetor icing.
- Intake port: Where outside air enters, equipped with an air filter.
- Superchargers/Turbochargers: Increase engine power at high altitudes.
Ignition System
- Magnetos: Self-contained units generating electrical current for spark plugs.
- Spark plugs: Ignite the air/fuel mixture in cylinders.
- Interconnecting wires: Connect ignition switch, magnetos, and spark plugs.
- Ignition switch: Controls magneto operation.
- Dual ignition system: Improves combustion efficiency, providing more power and safety.
Abnormal Combustion
- Detonation: Uncontrolled explosive ignition of the fuel/air mixture.
- Pre-ignition: Uncontrolled ignition before the spark plug fires, often caused by "hotspots" (carbon deposits).
Fuel System
- Gravity-fed: Fuel flows by gravity from tanks to the engine.
- Fuel pump system: Used in low-wing aircraft with fuel tanks below the engine.
- Primer: Manually pumps fuel into the intake system, helpful in cold conditions.
- Fuel tanks: Typically located in wings, with vents and overflow drains.
- Fuel quantity gauges: Show the fuel levels in tanks.
- Fuel selector valve: Allows selection of fuel from different tanks.
Vapor Lock
- Occurs when air enters the fuel system.
Refueling
- Major hazard is combustion due to static electricity.
- Always use a ground wire to prevent static discharge.
Fuel Grades and Colors
- 80: Red (MOGAS).
- 100LL: Blue (AVGAS).
- 100: Green (Unleaded).
- Turbine fuel or Jet A-1: Colorless.
Lubrication System
- Engine oil: Lubricates moving parts, cools the engine, seals cylinder walls, and removes contaminants.
- Dry sump system: Oil is stored separately and circulated by pumps.
- Wet sump system: Oil is stored in a sump within the engine.
- Dipstick: Measures oil levels.
- Oil pressure gauge: Measures oil pressure in P.S.I.
- Oil temperature gauge: Measures oil temperature.
Cooling System
- Maintains engine temperature within manufacturer's limits.
- Cowl flaps: Regulate engine compartment temperature.
Electrical System
- Typically direct current (DC) system.
- Alternator: Generates electrical power when the engine is running.
- Battery: Provides emergency power and power for engine start.
- Bus bar: Main distribution point for electrical current.
- Ammeter/Load meter: Measures electrical flow.
- Master switch: Controls most of the aircraft's electrical system, but not the ignition system.
- Fuses/Circuit breakers: Protect electrical equipment from overloads.
Exhaust System
- Carries burnt gases to the atmosphere.
- Critical for maintaining cabin air quality, as exhaust contains carbon monoxide.
- Provides heat for the cabin and carburetor.
Propellers
-
Fixed-pitch propeller: Blades have a fixed angle.
- Climb propeller: Low blade angle for takeoff and climb.
- Cruise propeller: High blade angle for high-speed flight.
-
Constant-speed propeller: Blade angle can be adjusted.
- Throttle control: Controls manifold pressure.
- Propeller control: Controls RPM.
- Propeller governor: Automatically adjusts blade angle based on air pressure.
Propeller Pitch and Efficiency
- Low pitch: Small blade angle, slow flight speed.
- High pitch: Large blade angle, fast flight speed.
- Geometric pitch: Theoretical distance propeller would advance in one revolution.
- Effective pitch: Actual distance propeller advances through the air in one revolution.
- Propeller efficiency: Ratio of thrust horsepower (propeller) to brake horsepower (engine).
- Typical propeller efficiency: Between 50% and 85%.
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Description
This quiz covers the various types of engine configurations such as reciprocating engines along with their operational cycles. It also explores the induction system and engine controls that manage fuel and air delivery to the cylinders. Test your knowledge about these essential concepts in engine mechanics.
