FOr INENICS ead The weight of fuel/air mixture consumed by an engine determines the power output. The weight of mixture, controlled by the throttle position, determines the manifold pressure (MAP), and with a constant speed propeller, there is an rpm lever to control engine speed. Therefore, power output isa result of rpm and MAP, INTRODUCTION NORMALLY ASPIRATED This engine breathes normally, taking in air not subjected to supercharging. THE EFFECTS OF ALTITUDE ON PERFORMANCE Since air density affects the power output of an engine at a specified MAP and rpm, consider the affects of pressure, temperature, and humidity on the air density. Consider the following terms: > Pressure Altitude This ie the pressure et standard temperature, requiring no coraction unless hum i @ factor. > Density Altitude This is pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. > Critical Altitude This is the maximum altitude at which an engine maintains a given horsepower output. In other words, an engine may be rated at a particular altitude, which is the highest level, where rated power output can be obtained. Superchargers and turbochargers increase the critical altitude. Since power depends on air density, convert pressure altitude to density altitude for performance calculations. If the temperature at a perticuler pressure altitude is the same as standard, then no correction for density is required. Figure 7.1 shows a typical correction chart. Powerplant mHChapter 7 Piston Engine Performance 25 (7620) 3 (6008) (ase2) (3043) 11524) DENSITY ALTITUDE—THOUSANDS OF FTIml ° -60 —40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 {51.1140} [—28.9}(—17.8]1-6.71 (4.4) (18.6)126.7) (37.3) DEGREES FAHRENHEIT [CELSIUS] Fig. 7.1 This formula is another method of calculating density altitude: Density Altitude = Pressure Altitude + (Temperature Deviation x 118.8) Pressure, temperature, and humidity affect the density of air and hence power output in the following ways. A reduction in pressure reduces density, therefore reducing power output. A temperature reduction increases density, therefore increasing power output. An increase in humidity reduces density and decreases power output. The main factors considered in engine Performance are effects of pressure and temperature. Pressure and temperature decrease with altitude. The pressure reduction reduces density and the temperature drop increases density. This interrelationship results in the temperature reduction offsetting the pressure drop somewhat; however, the drop in pressure has more effect than the temperature drop, resulting in decreased air density and decreased power with altitude. When climbing at constant MAP and rpm, since the pressure is constant, the reduction in temperature increases the density of the air, resulting in a gradual increase in power. Constant MAP is maintained by opening the throttle during the climb until the throttle is fully open, after which any further increase in altitude results in a reduction in power. When the throttle is fully open it corresponds to a particular height, called the full throttle height (FTH), for that power setting. Each power setting in terms of MAP and rpm has its own FTH. The lower the power, the higher the FTH and vice versa, as illustrated in figure 7.2. 12 PowerplantPiston Engine Performance Chapter 7 FULL THROTTLE, FULL THROTTLE BRAKE HORSEPOWER ALTITUDE 72 In addition, while gaining altitude, the reduction in pressure causes a reduction in exhaust backpressure, which is the resistance of the exhaust gases leaving the exhaust. Therefore, the reduction in exhaust backpressure results in the exhaust gases leaving the exhaust more freely. This results in improved scavenging of the exhaust gases and induction of the mixture, improving volumetric efficiency. The combined effect of reducing temperature and increasing volumetric efficiency increases power whilst climbing at constant MAP and rpm. However, while climbing at full throttle and constant rpm, a reduction of MAP and power results due to the decreasing density. The effect of this is illustrated in figure 7.3. Note that a constant speed propeller that has its blade angle varied by @ propeller governor maintains constant rpm. This operation is described in the propeller chapter. REDUCING MAP ' or g HIGH CONSTANT RPM. 3 mp CONSTANT RPM. 5 LOW CONSTANT RPM "ALTITUDE, Fig. 7.3 Performance charts used to determine power output use standard ISA conditions, therefore make corrections to power output by subtracting 1% for every 6°C above standard and vice versa. Powerplant 73