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The Art of the Helicopter John Watkinson - Karatunov.net

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

Fig. 6.28 A swashplate pump has variable displacement controlled by <strong>the</strong> angle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> plate. Rotor 1 is turned<br />

by <strong>the</strong> drive shaft. <strong>The</strong> rotor contains several pistons 2 which have ball-jointed slippers 3 which slide over <strong>the</strong><br />

stationary swashplate. This causes <strong>the</strong> pistons to move in and out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rotor. <strong>The</strong> backplate 5 is fitted with<br />

ports 6 which allow fuel to enter <strong>the</strong> cylinders when <strong>the</strong> piston moves to <strong>the</strong> left and direct fuel to <strong>the</strong> pump<br />

outlet when <strong>the</strong> piston moves to <strong>the</strong> right. <strong>The</strong> angle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> swashplate determines <strong>the</strong> stroke <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pistons<br />

and <strong>the</strong> amount <strong>of</strong> fuel delivered in one rotation. As delivery pressure builds up <strong>the</strong> piston 7 overcomes spring<br />

pressure to reduce <strong>the</strong> swashplate angle and <strong>the</strong> pump delivery.<br />

fuel flow must increase more rapidly to match <strong>the</strong> increasing airflow. When <strong>the</strong> desired<br />

power output is reached, <strong>the</strong> fuel flow is reduced to <strong>the</strong> new equilibrium level. In order<br />

to reduce power, <strong>the</strong> fuel flow is slightly reduced, and <strong>the</strong> spool slows down. As it does<br />

so, <strong>the</strong> fuel flow rate must reduce to match <strong>the</strong> airflow. When <strong>the</strong> new power level is<br />

reached, <strong>the</strong> fuel flow must be raised slightly to arrest <strong>the</strong> deceleration.<br />

Figure 6.29 shows how <strong>the</strong> fuel flow is controlled. Compressor outlet pressure, PC,is<br />

delivered to a pair <strong>of</strong> chambers through small flow restrictor orifices. A large diameter<br />

bellows is fitted between <strong>the</strong> chambers, and a small diameter bellows is fitted between<br />

<strong>the</strong> second chamber and atmosphere. <strong>The</strong> bellows are joined with a rod that opens<br />

<strong>the</strong> fuel valve as it moves downwards. Air is allowed to spill from <strong>the</strong> chambers by<br />

two valves controlled by <strong>the</strong> governors. <strong>The</strong>se spill valves are in series with <strong>the</strong> flow<br />

restrictors in <strong>the</strong> compressor line. An increase in PC collapses <strong>the</strong> bellows and opens<br />

<strong>the</strong> fuel valve fur<strong>the</strong>r, admitting more fuel to match <strong>the</strong> increased airflow. A reduction<br />

PC has <strong>the</strong> opposite effect. <strong>The</strong> fuel flow is maintained approximately correct by this<br />

mechanism. Power output is increased or reduced by disturbing <strong>the</strong> equilibrium <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

bellows system using <strong>the</strong> spill valves.<br />

If <strong>the</strong> governor wishes to increase power, it closes <strong>the</strong> spill valves slightly. This restricts<br />

<strong>the</strong> flow <strong>of</strong> compressor air and raises <strong>the</strong> pressure in <strong>the</strong> bellows chamber, opening<br />

<strong>the</strong> fuel valve. If this is done too rapidly, <strong>the</strong> mixture will be too rich and <strong>the</strong> flame<br />

will be quenched. This is prevented with <strong>the</strong> accumulator: a tank preventing <strong>the</strong> air<br />

pressure in <strong>the</strong> upper bellows chamber changing rapidly. <strong>The</strong> air has to flow in and<br />

out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> accumulator through small orifices and this takes time. As a result when <strong>the</strong><br />

spill valves are first closed, pressure in <strong>the</strong> upper bellows chamber rises slowly, and lags<br />

behind <strong>the</strong> pressure rise in <strong>the</strong> lower chamber.<br />

<strong>The</strong> pressure difference acts on <strong>the</strong> upper bellows to oppose <strong>the</strong> rate <strong>of</strong> increase <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> fuel valve, preventing quenching. As <strong>the</strong> gas generator accelerates, <strong>the</strong> accumulator<br />

pressure rises and ceases to oppose <strong>the</strong> increased fuel delivery. Increased compressor<br />

pressure due to <strong>the</strong> higher spool power causes <strong>the</strong> fuel flow to be fur<strong>the</strong>r increased.<br />

When <strong>the</strong> governor decides <strong>the</strong> power has increased enough, it opens <strong>the</strong> spill valves

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