Flashcards on Reciprocating Aircraft Engine Fundamentals
Reciprocating Aircraft Engine Fundamentals: A Student Guide
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Aircraft Reciprocating Engines
12 cards
Card 1
Question: How are conventional reciprocating engines classified by cylinder arrangement and cooling method?
Answer: By cylinder arrangement relative to the crankshaft (in-line, V-type, radial, opposed) and by cooling method (liquid-cooled or air-cooled).
Card 2
Question: What is the main advantage of a horizontally opposed engine over a radial engine for modern aircraft?
Answer: A much smaller frontal area and easier streamlining than a radial engine.
Card 3
Question: Why is valve clearance adjusted on radial engines but not on most horizontally opposed engines?
Answer: Most horizontally opposed engines have hydraulic valve lifters that remove clearance; radial engines have solid lifters requiring manual valve clearan
Card 4
Question: What types of piston rings are used in reciprocating aircraft engines?
Answer: Compression rings, oil control rings, and scraper rings.
Card 5
Question: What is the purpose of the oil control rings?
Answer: To control the thickness of the oil film on the cylinder walls.
Card 6
Question: What may result from installing piston rings incorrectly?
Answer: Excessive oil consumption.
Card 7
Question: What type of connecting rod assembly is commonly found in radial engines?
Answer: A master and articulating rod assembly.
Card 8
Question: Why are hydraulic valve lifters used in aircraft engines?
Answer: They keep all clearance out of the valve operating mechanism, decreasing wear of valve train components.
Card 9
Question: At what speed does the camshaft turn relative to the crankshaft in a horizontally opposed engine?
Answer: The camshaft turns at one half of the crankshaft speed.
Card 10
Question: Where is the piston when the ignition spark occurs in a reciprocating engine?
Answer: About 30 degrees of crankshaft rotation before the piston reaches top center on the compression stroke.