Week 1 Types of Engines
Your Chapter 1 and 2 reading and the presentation provides you with details of functioning engines, their components, and practices of use for engines and components.In a discussion, identify the flow of air, with fuel, to and through the exhaust for either a turbine or reciprocating engine. Also, identify at least 3 components of the engine with a brief description of each. Be sure to discuss the process of air and fuel from their entry to the exhaust and how power is attained for thrust.Your quiz and examinations will include questions from the ASP and presentations.Likewise, please respond to the following two comments:1. The reciprocating engine is a widely popular engine that is used in general aviation. This engine can be in a wide variety of configurations, such as the radial, horizontally opposed or inline configuration. Even though the configuration is different, the inner workings are quite similar in the components and process. All internal combustion engines need air flow to either cool the engine via the cooling fins or act as the catalyst in the ignition cylinder. Being that airplanes are pulling in air as it propels through he sky it has vast amounts of free air. The fuel mixture is the second biggest component in the engine and without it there would be no thrust generated. The fuel is introduced into the cylinder by way of the fuel injectors. The fuel in this instance is a vapor which makes for easy combustion. As the piston moves back upwards in the cylinder the fuel is compressed; which makes the temperature of the fuel and surrounding air much warmer. The spark plug ignites this mixture with a small spark which sends the piston downwards in the ‘power stroke’ which will turn the crankshaft. Once the cylinder bottoms out on this rotation the exhaust valve or byproduct of this reaction leaves the chamber allowing more air and fuel to enter the chamber for another cycle. This precise timing is crucial in the overall function of the engine and is controlled by a camshaft. This camshaft will force a rocker arm and spring to open the exhaust valve and fuel injector at the proper times. Thrust is the overall goal from the engine because it keeps the airplane moving through the air. The turning of the crankshaft is the starting point for this energy, the crankshaft can be attached to a gear chain which will either lower the RPM of the propeller or it will help produce more RPM.2. Turbine engines are used in more complex and larger aircraft. These engines put out more power and are capable of flying at higher speeds and higher altitudes. There are multiple different types of turbine engines. They are the Turbojet, Turboprop, Turbofan, and Turboshaft. They all work is relatively the same manner. They pull air in then mix the air which then combusts and produces thrust.In a turbine engine there are 2 major sections. First, is the cold section that consists of the air inlet which air is pulled in. Next is the compressor which consisted of multiple stages of compressor blades where the air is compressed down into the diffuser. Once through the diffuser the air enters the hot section of the engine. In the combustion chamber the air is mixed with fuel and ignited and expands which spins turbine producing thrust and exhaust. In a Turbojet engine only 25% of the air that enters the engine is used to create thrust. The rest of the air is used to cool the engine.
