Here are the answers to the 25 engine performance-related questions
shown in your image:
1. Why are reciprocating engines for aircraft called heat engines?
Because they convert the chemical energy of fuel into thermal energy
(heat), and then into mechanical energy through combustion.
2. Define the terms "bore" and "stroke."
• Bore: Diameter of the cylinder
• Stroke: Distance the piston travels from Top Dead Center (TDC)
to Bottom Dead Center (BDC)
3. What are the TDC and BDC positions of the piston?
• TDC (Top Dead Center): Piston's highest position in the cylinder
• BDC (Bottom Dead Center): Piston's lowest position in the
cylinder
4. List the four-stroke cycle of a piston engine.
1. Intake
2. Compression
3. Power
4. Exhaust
5. What are the positions of the intake and exhaust valves during the
power stroke?
Both intake and exhaust valves are closed to allow pressure build-up
and force the piston down.
6. At what point in the operating cycle of an engine does ignition
take place?
Just before the piston reaches TDC on the compression stroke
7. Why is ignition timed to take place at this point?
To allow complete combustion by the time the piston begins the power
stroke, maximizing pressure and efficiency.
8. What is valve overlap?
The brief period when both intake and exhaust valves are open,
enhancing exhaust scavenging and intake efficiency.
9. Define the terms "valve lead" and "valve lag."
• Valve Lead: Valve opens before the piston reaches TDC or BDC
• Valve Lag: Valve closes after the piston passes TDC or BDC
10. Define the term "power."
The rate of doing work or the rate at which energy is transferred—
usually expressed in horsepower (hp) or kilowatts (kW).
11. What is indicated horsepower?
The total power developed within the cylinders, calculated from
pressure-volume data.
12. Define the term "brake horsepower."
The usable horsepower delivered at the crankshaft, measured using a
dynamometer.
13. Define the term "friction horsepower."
The power used to overcome internal engine friction, calculated as:
FHP = IHP - BHP
14. How are ihp, fhp, and bhp related?
Indicated HP (ihp) = Brake HP (bhp) + Friction
HP (fhp)
15. What is the purpose of a dynamometer or prony brake?
To measure brake horsepower—the actual power output of the engine.
16. Define mechanical and thermal efficiencies.
• Mechanical Efficiency: Ratio of brake hp to indicated hp
η_mech = bhp / ihp
• Thermal Efficiency: Ratio of useful work to heat energy from fuel
η_thermal = Work output / Heat input
17. Define volumetric efficiency.
The ratio of actual air-fuel mixture volume drawn into the cylinder to
the theoretical maximum volume (displacement).
η_vol = (Actual intake volume / Displacement
volume) × 100
18. List some of the causes that could reduce volumetric efficiency.
• Restricted intake/exhaust valves
• High intake air temperature
• Improper valve timing
• Dirty or blocked air filter
• Backpressure in the exhaust
19. List some of the likely causes of detonation.
• Low-octane fuel
• Excessive MAP
• Lean fuel-air mixture
• High intake air temperature
• High compression ratio
• Overadvanced ignition timing
20. Describe the cause of preignition.
Caused by a hot spot (e.g., glowing carbon or overheated spark plug)
igniting the mixture before spark plug fires, leading to rough engine
operation.
21. Define compression ratio.
The ratio of the volume in the cylinder at BDC to the volume at TDC.
22. What factors limit the compression ratio of an engine?
• Detonation risk with low-octane fuel
• Material strength and engine design limits
• Cooling limitations
• Supercharging
23. Define brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC).
The amount of fuel consumed per horsepower per hour, typically in
lb/hp·hr or g/kW·hr.
24. What effect does carburetor air temperature have on engine
operation?
Higher air temperature reduces air density, decreasing volumetric
efficiency and power output, and can contribute to detonation.
25. What effect does exhaust back pressure have on engine
performance?
It reduces scavenging, limits exhaust gas removal, lowers volumetric
efficiency, and decreases engine power output.
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