Challenging Questions on Aircraft Engine Types for This Week: See if You Can Identify 'Em All!
Down and Dirty with Engines
Ready to tackle some engine trivia? Here you go!
- What's the scoop on the Bendix drive?The Bendix drive is a vital component of a starter motor. When engaged, it grips the flywheel and spins the crankshaft to crank up your engine.
- What's keeping that spinning propeller, well, spinning?A rotating propeller encounters three main forces:
- The Aerodynamic Twisting Force affects asymmetrical rotating objects. It twists the propeller's blades, moving them toward a low pitch and high RPM position. The aerodynamic center of pressure usually resides slightly forward of the mechanical centerline.
- Welcome the Torque Bending Force, which acts against the blades, causing them to bend away from their rotation.
- Lastly, the Thrust Bending Force is the backward force generated by pushing the air, acting to bend the blades forward. Propeller blades are typically raked forward, so the outward centrifugal force from rotation balances out the bending effects.
- So, how does the Venturi draw fuel in a carburetor?Here's the deal: the Venturi—a conical-shaped narrowing—creates a low-pressure zone as air accelerates through it. This low-pressure zone sucks fuel into the carburetor, where it subsequently mixes with air.
- Carb heat—heating things up or cooling them down?Carb heat introduces warm air into the engine. Since warm air is less dense, the engine sucks in less air, resulting in a decrease in power output.
- The turbocharger's soaring altitude 🚀The turbocharger reaches its critical altitude when the waste gate fully closes, and the engine can still maintain full power. Mankind climbing any higher would reduce manifold pressure and power output.
- Pre-ignition - the unwelcome engine guest 👻Pre-ignition is an event where the air/fuel mixture ignites in the cylinder before the spark plug fires. It usually occurs due to hot spots in the cylinder, a spark plug that's too hot, or carbon deposits in the cylinder.
And that wraps up our little engine quiz!
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