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The Effect of Atmospheric Pressure and Temperature upon the Performance of a Petrol Engine

The use of Supercompression in Aero Engines

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 September 2016

E. G. Ritchie*
Affiliation:
The Research Association of British Motor and Allied Manufacturers

Extract

The efficiency of all internal combustion engines is influenced to a large degree by the density of the charge prior to ignition. In the stationary engine operating at normal ground density, the variation in compression pressure throughout the range of working conditions is so small as to have no appreciable effect upon engine performance. In the aero engine, however, the conditions obtaining in flight are such as to produce wide variation in the suction pressure and therefore in the compression pressure due to changes in atmospheric density.

Table I has been prepared to show the variation in air pressure, temperature and density with height, the figures given representing the mean conditions obtaining in the south of England.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1921

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References

Note on page 422 * Observations by Professor A. H. Gibson, D.Sc., M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech.E., at the Royal Aircraft Establishment.

† Observations made by the Author at the Royal Aircraft Establishment.

‡ U.S.A. Bureau of Standards.

Note on page 424 * Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, I.C.E. Report 281.

Note on page 427 * For further data on the influence of induction pipe design upon power variation with temperature, the reader is referred to “ Aero Engine Efficiencies,” Professor A. H. Gibson, D.Sc, M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech.E., Transactions of the Royal Aeronautical Society, vol. 3.

Note on page 429 * Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, I.C.E. Report, 281.

Note on page 437 * From data given in “ Gas, Petrol and Oil Engines,” Sir Dugald Clerk, D.Sc, F.R.S., M.Inst.C.E.

Note on page 449 * Professor A. H. Gibson, D.Sc., M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech.E. Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, I.C.E. Report No. 407.

† Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, I.C.E. 121.

Note on page 450 * Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, I.C.E. 121.