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The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

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Engines and transmissions 221<br />

own tanks, but this can be minimized by filling <strong>the</strong> tanks before leaving <strong>the</strong> machine<br />

overnight.<br />

Water does not readily mix with fuel and it is denser, so it will be found at <strong>the</strong> bottom<br />

<strong>of</strong> tanks. <strong>The</strong> point where <strong>the</strong> engine feed is taken from <strong>the</strong> tank is slightly above <strong>the</strong><br />

lowest point <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tank so that fuel is drawn from above any water that may settle<br />

out in <strong>the</strong> tank. As a result <strong>the</strong>re will always be a quantity <strong>of</strong> unusable fuel in <strong>the</strong><br />

tank, typically about a gallon. <strong>The</strong> lowest point <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tank is fitted with a drain.<br />

This is a spring-loaded valve which is normally closed but which can be pushed open<br />

momentarily by hand. Part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pre-flight check procedure is to operate <strong>the</strong> tank<br />

drains and to catch <strong>the</strong> fluid that comes out in a transparent container. Any water in<br />

<strong>the</strong> tank will come out first and a clear boundary will be seen in <strong>the</strong> container between<br />

<strong>the</strong> water and <strong>the</strong> fuel once all <strong>the</strong> water has come out.<br />

<strong>The</strong> tanks are also fitted with air vent plumbing to allow air to enter as fuel is used.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> absence <strong>of</strong> a vent atmospheric pressure would crush <strong>the</strong> tanks as <strong>the</strong> fuel was<br />

pumped out. <strong>The</strong> fuel pickup pipes from <strong>the</strong> two tanks go to <strong>the</strong> fuel shut-<strong>of</strong>f valve.<br />

This is in <strong>the</strong> engine compartment, but operated by a rod passing through <strong>the</strong> firewall<br />

to a control <strong>of</strong>ten mounted near <strong>the</strong> pilot’s shoulder. <strong>The</strong> main fuel line runs down from<br />

<strong>the</strong> fuel shut-<strong>of</strong>f valve through <strong>the</strong> electric boost pump to <strong>the</strong> main filter; also known<br />

as a strainer. <strong>The</strong> filter contains a fine mesh element that prevents debris entering <strong>the</strong><br />

carburettor or fuel injection system where it could block <strong>the</strong> fine jets. Debris is ei<strong>the</strong>r<br />

trapped in <strong>the</strong> mesh until it is removed during maintenance, or falls into <strong>the</strong> bowl.<br />

Any water that gets past <strong>the</strong> measures designed into <strong>the</strong> tanks will also collect in <strong>the</strong><br />

bowl. <strong>The</strong> engine feed is from <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> filter, so water is left behind. A fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />

vital pre-flight check is to open <strong>the</strong> spring-loaded drain valve on <strong>the</strong> filter bowl again<br />

catching <strong>the</strong> results in <strong>the</strong> glass container. Draining is continued until pure fuel flows.<br />

<strong>The</strong> bowl is <strong>the</strong>n free <strong>of</strong> water and can trap <strong>the</strong> maximum amount.<br />

Fuel from <strong>the</strong> filter passes next to <strong>the</strong> engine-driven pump. This is mechanical and<br />

only works when <strong>the</strong> engine is running. <strong>The</strong> combination <strong>of</strong> electric and mechanical<br />

pump one after <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r means that fuel pressure is always available even if one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

pumps fails. In addition <strong>the</strong> electric pump can run without <strong>the</strong> engine, and this can be<br />

useful in fuel-injected machines to purge <strong>the</strong> injection pipes <strong>of</strong> fuel vapour prior to a<br />

hot start.<br />

<strong>The</strong> fuel pump contains a pressure regulating mechanism so that constant fuel pressure<br />

is available. A pressure switch operates a ‘pressure OK’ light on <strong>the</strong> instrument<br />

panel once fuel pressure exceeds a set threshold. Fuel is <strong>the</strong>n delivered to <strong>the</strong> carburettor<br />

or <strong>the</strong> fuel injection system.<br />

Figure 6.15 shows <strong>the</strong> fuel system <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> JetRanger. Twin electric boost pumps (1) lift<br />

fuel from <strong>the</strong> tank and check valves (2) allow one to carry on if <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r fails. <strong>The</strong> main<br />

fuel valve (7) is remote from <strong>the</strong> cockpit and is motorized. <strong>The</strong> airframe filter (8) has<br />

a pressure drop monitor (9) that operates a warning light (10) if blockage occurs. <strong>The</strong><br />

engine-driven pump (15) also has a filter (11) and blockage switch (13). <strong>The</strong> delivery<br />

pressure is regulated in <strong>the</strong> fuel control unit by returning surplus fuel to <strong>the</strong> inlet side<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gear pump (16).<br />

In larger helicopters <strong>the</strong> fuel system will inevitably become more complex. In order<br />

to limit <strong>the</strong> consequences <strong>of</strong> damage, for structural reasons and to control <strong>the</strong> CM<br />

position, <strong>the</strong>re may be a large number <strong>of</strong> smaller tanks, each needing provision for<br />

refilling, supply and a quantity gauge. A full fuel tank is heavy and may break free in a<br />

crash. A deliberately weak point may be introduced in <strong>the</strong> pipes along with self-sealing<br />

valves so that <strong>the</strong> tank will not leak if it breaks free. Wiring to pumps and gauges will<br />

also be designed to detach. In military machines, self-sealing tanks may be fitted. <strong>The</strong>se<br />

are essentially double skinned and between <strong>the</strong> skins is a compound that expands on

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