wild.blue(at)verizon.net
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 Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:56 am Post subject: 400hp |
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This engine stuff is interesting.
There were lots of very interesting recip engines developed just before and during WWII, such as the "Hyper" program engines in the US, some of very large displacement, and not just by Allison, Curtiss-Wright and P&W. Lycoming and Continental also built some novel, big displacement engines. Most never saw series production. Lots of serious complication trying to achieve high power. The Germans built several diesel aircraft engines as early as WWI. The Brits had lots of interesting engines and were particularly intrigued by the "H" layout--which carried over into the BRM H-16 Formula 1 engine of the 60's--axial-flow supercharging etc. Don't know anything about the Bugatti fighter, but I can imagine it had a very interesting pair (?) of engines and drive train. Most of what we see being hyped on car engines today (with the exception of electronics)--overhead cams, multiple valves per cylinder, variable timing etc.--could be found on aircraft engines as early as WWI. But aircraft recip R&D pretty much came to a halt with the advent of turbines. Audi racing diesels are pretty interesting, but, as you say, Brian, (race) car engines are not airplane engines and nobody's used classic DCO/E/IDA Webers since turbocharging and injection came to the fore in the late 60's-early 70's.
Weak Force Press publishes several interesting non-engineering books on aircraft engines and also great calendars highlighting some of them.
Round engines have some novel features that it seems would lend themselves to electronic optimization: slightly different stroke and displacement of each cylinder, variations in compression ratio, valve and ignition timing etc. It's interesting that the Brits in particular went to sleeve valves to reduce detonation associated with very high boost pressures, but you don't see anybody running Bristol Centaurus engines in Sea Furies at Reno, where boost is King. You do see auto plugs, but not electronic ignition, right? Or do you? Hmmm. Anybody have details on any of the race engine programs, particularly round engines? I noticed Strega and Big Boss Man running auto plugs, probably others, too. Given that Mike Brown owns BBM and the September Sea Furies I suspect they also use auto plugs.
Ah, no, (some of) the Russians are not short on cash. Are more powerful recip engines for more than a few competition airplanes in future series production plans, Richard? Are the M9 and/or 14R going into series or even limited production for use by other than Russian team aircraft? Projected prices? What about propellers? What kind of real world TBO's are you seeing on 400hp M-14's? M-14P's? I wonder what kind of TBO your Rat engine will get, Tom? Is that the same engine Greg Medford has been using? Reliability? Electronics? Multiple-coil electronic individually variable ignition timing, detonation sensing, individually variable electronic port injection etc? I can imaging lots of car stuff being adapted. Will turbo-compounding be next? Think not.
Jerry Painter
chief pilot, CFI, A&P, airport bum,
permanent latrine orderly &c.
Wild Blue Aviation
Arlington Municipal Airport (KAWO)
19203 59th Dr. NE
Arlington, WA 98223
425-876-0865
JP(at)FlyWBA.com (JP(at)FlyWBA.com)
http://www.FlyWBA.com
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