The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net
The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net
The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net
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Engines and transmissions 215<br />
In water-cooled engines <strong>the</strong>re will be a water temperature gauge which indicates <strong>the</strong><br />
temperature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water leaving <strong>the</strong> engine. Temperature should climb steadily after<br />
starting and level <strong>of</strong>f at <strong>the</strong> designed temperature. This will <strong>of</strong>ten be above 100 ◦ C since<br />
<strong>the</strong> coolant is not actually water but a mixture <strong>of</strong> ethylene glycol and <strong>the</strong> system is also<br />
pressurized so that <strong>the</strong> boiling point is raised.<br />
On turbocharged machines an exhaust gas temperature (EGT) gauge (8 in<br />
Figure 6.11) may be found. This will also rise with engine power and <strong>the</strong> gauge may be<br />
red-lined to protect <strong>the</strong> exhaust valves and <strong>the</strong> turbocharger.<br />
<strong>The</strong> oil pressure gauge indicates <strong>the</strong> performance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> oil pump. If <strong>the</strong> pump can<br />
meet <strong>the</strong> flow demanded by <strong>the</strong> engine, <strong>the</strong> pressure will be normal. If it cannot, <strong>the</strong><br />
pressure will fall. Low pressure could be due to a worn pump or bearings, but it could<br />
also be due to <strong>the</strong> oil being extremely hot so that it is thinner and runs through <strong>the</strong><br />
engine faster than <strong>the</strong> pump can deliver it. <strong>The</strong> oil pressure and temperature gauges<br />
should be read toge<strong>the</strong>r to form a meaningful picture.<br />
<strong>The</strong> manifold pressure gauge and <strong>the</strong> fuel pressure gauge in a fuel injected gasoline<br />
engine both indicate <strong>the</strong> proportion <strong>of</strong> full power being developed and so <strong>the</strong> reserve<br />
power can be deduced. <strong>The</strong> fuel pressure indicator is also calibrated in fuel consumption<br />
rate so that <strong>the</strong> flying time can be calculated from <strong>the</strong> fuel load.<br />
Manifold pressure or boost gauges are calibrated in absolute pressure, i.e. relative<br />
to a vacuum. In a naturally aspirated engine <strong>the</strong> manifold pressure cannot go above<br />
atmospheric and it is technically incorrect to refer to it as a boost gauge. In <strong>the</strong> presence<br />
<strong>of</strong> a turbocharger <strong>the</strong> manifold pressure can go above atmospheric and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> term<br />
boost gauge is correct. For a given induction air temperature, <strong>the</strong> boost pressure is<br />
proportional to <strong>the</strong> power <strong>the</strong> engine is developing. However, changing <strong>the</strong> air temperature<br />
changes <strong>the</strong> air density and so <strong>the</strong> mass flow, which really controls <strong>the</strong> power,<br />
will be different for a given boost pressure.<br />
Consequently if carburettor heat is in use, <strong>the</strong> air entering <strong>the</strong> engine will be less<br />
dense and so less power will be developed for a given boost reading. If <strong>the</strong> engine is<br />
derated by setting an induction pressure limit, adhering to that limit with carburettor<br />
heat selected will result in unnecessarily limiting <strong>the</strong> available power. It is <strong>the</strong> actual<br />
power developed which determines <strong>the</strong> stress on <strong>the</strong> engine, not <strong>the</strong> induction pressure.<br />
With carburettor heat on, induction pressure can be increased by <strong>the</strong> correct amount<br />
to restore power without any risk <strong>of</strong> engine damage. It is important to know how much<br />
<strong>the</strong> induction pressure rises with carburettor heat for <strong>the</strong> same power. This can easily<br />
be established by hovering with and without carburettor heat.<br />
With a traditional carburettor heat system, <strong>the</strong> pilot can be placed in a difficult<br />
situation. In <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> a fully loaded machine on a hot, humid day, full power will be<br />
required to hover. However, <strong>the</strong> landing approach will require <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> carburettor<br />
heat. At <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> approach as <strong>the</strong> machine enters <strong>the</strong> hover, <strong>the</strong> textbooks explain<br />
that carburettor heat must be deselected. However, <strong>the</strong> textbooks do not explain how<br />
this is to be done. At <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> an approach and upon entering <strong>the</strong> hover, <strong>the</strong> pilot<br />
must manipulate <strong>the</strong> collective lever to arrest <strong>the</strong> descent and use <strong>the</strong> pedals to prevent<br />
yaw with <strong>the</strong> increased collective. He must also use <strong>the</strong> cyclic control to arrest forward<br />
speed. With both hands and both feet occupied, deselecting carburettor heat is difficult.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Robinson R-22 <strong>the</strong>re is a simple solution. In this machine <strong>the</strong> engine<br />
is derated by induction pressure limits to achieve reliability. <strong>The</strong> degree <strong>of</strong> derating is<br />
such that, even up to a few thousand feet above sea level, maximum rated power can<br />
be obtained even with full carburettor heat. Consequently under many real conditions<br />
<strong>the</strong> R-22 can be flown with hot air permanently selected. <strong>The</strong> boost gauge limit must<br />
be readjusted upwards. This is done by hovering under o<strong>the</strong>rwise identical conditions<br />
with and without hot air to establish <strong>the</strong> percentage by which <strong>the</strong> induction pressure