Combustion Engine Concepts

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to combustion engine principles, providing definitions to aid in understanding important concepts for an exam.

Compressor

A device that increases the pressure of air by reducing its volume.

Diffuser

A component that reduces the speed of air and increases its pressure before it enters the combustion chamber.

Centrifugal compressor

A type of compressor that uses rotational energy to move air and increase its pressure.

Axial compressor

A compressor where the air flows parallel to the axis of rotation, typically used for higher efficiency.

Stator

The stationary component of a compressor that directs airflow and increases pressure.

Rotor

The rotating part of a compressor that compresses the air.

Angle of attack

The angle between the chord line of the blade and the direction of the airflow, affecting lift and drag.

Stall

A condition where airflow separates from the wing of the blade, leading to a loss of lift or efficiency.

Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT)

The temperature of gases exiting the engine, critical for monitoring engine performance.

Ram air

Air that is forced into the engine intake due to the aircraft's forward motion, which can affect engine performance.

Partial stall

A condition where only a section of the compressor stalls, causing vibrations and inefficiencies.

Flame speed

The speed at which the flame travels through the combustion chamber, influenced by the mixture of air and fuel.

Heat of combustion

The energy released when fuel burns in the presence of oxygen, essential for engine power.

Combustion chamber

The section of the engine where the fuel-air mixture is ignited to produce thrust.

Combustion stability

The ability of the combustion process to maintain consistent combustion without fluctuations.

Fuel-air mixture

The ratio of fuel to air in the combustion process, critical for optimal engine performance.

Compression ratio

The ratio of the maximum to minimum volume of the combustion chamber, affecting engine efficiency and power.