PROPULSION

CI Pemberton

Topics Covered
The Piston Engine Carburation Ignition Lubrication and Cooling Propellers The Jet Engine Rockets

Piston Engine
Aviation Internal Combustion Engines Power obtained by burning liquid fuel inside the engine, where pistons are located. Similar to Bicycle pump. Has a cylinder with a piston inside. Air inside the pump is compressed and heated by energy from your arm.

Piston Engine
Charge of air and fuel is injected into the cylinder. This is compressed and burned. Heat energy released causes the piston to move.

Piston Engine
The burning process is called Combustion. Chemical reaction, fuel combined with oxygen is set alight, releasing heat energy. Each fuel has a set ignition temperature. Compressing before ignition increases the temperature inside the cylinder, making ignition easier and improves the rate the fuel burns.

Piston Engine
The Crankshaft converts the vertical movement into rotary movement. Connected to the pistons by a pushrod. Also returns the pistons to their starting position.

Piston Engine
Inlet for Fuel & Air Exhaust for burnt Gases Opened and Closed by valves. These are driven by the Crankshaft.

Technical Terms
Stroke - The distance which the piston moves in the cylinder between the highest point, top dead centre (TDC) and the lowest point, bottom dead centre (BDC). Each stroke is 180o. Bore - The diameter of the cylinder.

Technical Terms
Top Dead Centre when the piston reaches the highest point in its travel. When a straight line can be drawn through the centres of:

Technical Terms
Bottom Dead Centre Occurs when the piston reaches the lowest point of its travel. Line can be drawn through

4 Stroke Cycle
1. Induction (First Downstroke) Inlet valve is open, piston moves down the cylinder, Fuel/Air mix is drawn into the cylinder. 2. Compression (First Upstroke) Both valves are closed, Piston moves back up the cylinder, Fuel/Air mix is compressed into the top of the cylinder.

4 Stroke Cycle
3. Power (Second Downstroke) Both valves remain closed, spark occurs, igniting the compressed fuel/air mix, rapid expansion of the burning mixture forces the piston back down the cylinder. 4. Exhaust (Second Upstroke) Exhaust valve is open, piston moves back up the cylinder, burnt gases escape by exhaust valve.

Technical Terms
Valve Lead Inlet valve opens before the piston has reached TDC, and the exhaust valve opens before BDC. Valve Lag Inlet valve closes after the piston has passed BDC and that the exhaust valve closes after the piston has passed TDC. Valve Overlap Both valves are open together.