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The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

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200 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Art</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Helicopter</strong><br />

Fig. 6.6 A valve-timing diagram. Owing to <strong>the</strong> inertia <strong>of</strong> moving gases, <strong>the</strong> valve timing may be adapted to<br />

obtain better mass flow. Note <strong>the</strong> overlap at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> exhaust stroke where exhaust momentum is used to<br />

draw fresh charge into <strong>the</strong> cylinder.<br />

<strong>The</strong> exhaust valve opens before BDC so that <strong>the</strong> exhaust can start to accelerate out<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cylinder in time for <strong>the</strong> exhaust stroke. <strong>The</strong> exhaust gases leave at high speed, and<br />

at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> exhaust stroke <strong>the</strong> momentum <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gases will carry <strong>the</strong>m onwards<br />

even when <strong>the</strong> cylinder is empty. This causes a reduction in pressure in <strong>the</strong> cylinder.<br />

<strong>The</strong> inlet valve is opened before <strong>the</strong> exhaust valve closes so that <strong>the</strong> momentum <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

exhaust leaving will pull fresh charge in. This is known as valve overlap. Racing engines<br />

use camshafts having a lot <strong>of</strong> valve overlap to help charge transfer at high speed. This<br />

makes <strong>the</strong>m very rough at lower speeds. <strong>Helicopter</strong> engines are required to have good<br />

throttle response over a limited RPM range ra<strong>the</strong>r than ultimate power, and will be<br />

fitted with milder camshafts.<br />

<strong>The</strong> valve mechanism in early engines required an adjustment to take up slack in <strong>the</strong><br />

pushrod as wear took place. A small clearance was left to allow <strong>the</strong> parts to expand<br />

without <strong>the</strong> valves being pushed open when <strong>the</strong>y were supposed to be shut. If <strong>the</strong> valve<br />

clearance was excessive <strong>the</strong> valves would not open for as long, and power would be<br />

reduced. <strong>The</strong> mechanism would make a lot <strong>of</strong> noise. Tappet adjustment was frequently<br />

required to maintain performance.<br />

In later engines a self-adjusting mechanism was devised. <strong>The</strong> tappet contains a small<br />

piston that drives <strong>the</strong> pushrod. Engine oil pressure is communicated to <strong>the</strong> tappet<br />

through a small drilling so that <strong>the</strong> piston will move until it has taken up <strong>the</strong> slack in

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