Internet Of Components Blog

Aircraft engines are robust apparatuses, tasked with generating propulsion and thrust through the combustion of fuel-and-air mixtures. While all aircraft components and structures should regularly be cleaned, the aircraft engine in particular must be well attended to for the prevention of residue buildup which may hinder operations, cause corrosion, or result in other various issues. As the aircraft engine compartment and its components may be damaged if cleaning is not carried out correctly, it is paramount that operators understand the proper procedures to maintain the health of all parts.

Heating and exhausting gases in select aircraft, afterburners are a unique tool for many fixed-wing vehicles utilizing turbojet or turbofan gas turbine engines. Also known as ‘reheat’ or the second combustion chamber within an engine that is situated directly in front of an exhaust nozzle, an afterburner may be found attached to the exhaust-end of a jet engine. Coming affixed to engine systems composed of compressors and combustion chambers, units with  afterburners are incapable of functioning without all parts of an engine operating simultaneously. To better understand the fundamentals of an afterburner and how they help certain aircraft achieve speeds once thought of as unobtainable, we will go into detail on why these parts are valuable and what sets them apart in the evolution of aviation history.

As air pressure and oxygen density lowers as an aircraft increases its altitude, it is important that they have systems capable of compressing air for the sake of optimal combustion. For many non-ground boost systems or standard aircraft engine types, air pressure can be increased upwards to a value of 30 inches of mercury. With a supercharged engine, also known as a ground boosted engine, the manifold pressure of the engine can reach above 30 inches of mercury which can be beneficial for various aircraft types. As the engines of many light aircraft are devoid of compressors, supercharged induction systems may be used for the means of achieving high fuel and air mixture efficiency.

In order for an aircraft to efficiently have fuel loaded, stored, managed, and transported for combustion, it relies on the aircraft fuel system. The fuel systems of aircraft can greatly vary depending upon the aircraft they are installed in, ranging from simple gravity feed fuel tanks to those with multiple fuel tanks and fuel pumps for transportation. Despite the variety of aircraft fuel systems that exist across different models, the basic process of servicing such systems for hazard prevention remains similar. In this blog, we will discuss how one may service their aircraft fuel system and keep it safe, ensuring that all parts provide long and reliable service lives.

The correct oil can reduce friction losses in an engine to a minimum. To find the correct oil, factors such as engine usage, ambient temperature, climate, location, and engine design should all be considered. Lubrication plays a critical role in the life of an engine. Without it, the engine would fail within minutes, meaning keeping a close eye on it during flight is important. The oil system in an aircraft engine is very reliable and only requires minimal maintenance in the form of regular oil and filter changes and visual inspections. Having a basic understanding of the engine system is critical for professional and private pilots alike. In this blog, we will discuss the basics of oil maintenance.

An internal combustion engine is a type of engine that converts the energy resulting from the ignition of a fuel/air mixture into mechanical energy to power a machine. The most common type of internal combustion engine is the reciprocating internal combustion engine. In engines of this type, the ignition and burning process takes place within a cylinder equipped with pistons driven by the pressure of the combustion gases. The force from the gas pressure is then transmitted to the crankshaft linked to the piston by a connecting rod.

For a majority of aircraft to achieve and sustain heavier-than-air-flight, they rely on the constant combustion of fuel and air mixtures. With gas turbine engines, this process is carried out within the combustion section. To efficiently carry out combustion and optimally fly, the combustion chambers ensure proper fuel and air mixing, efficient burning, optimal cooling to avoid damages, and the delivery of exhaust gases to the turbine section of the engine.

For the construction of a standard aircraft, a plethora of fasteners may be used to create robust assemblies that are capable of withstanding all the forces and weathering typically faced during standard flight operations. Although aviation bolts, nuts, pins, and other fasteners are all designed to be rigid and have high integrity, engineers will often utilize a number of safetying methods in order to ensure that they never become loose or fail due to high vibration. As a necessary step of maintenance and inspection procedures, understanding how to implement safetying for aircraft parts is crucial for guaranteeing an airworthy assembly. In this blog, we will provide an overview of the primary aircraft parts that are used to fasten assemblies, as well as how to provide safetying for them.

As aircraft are often operated in extremely cold temperatures and environments, it is important that there are various means of protecting components from the formation of ice. As ice begins to collect on various components, it can cause damage and deterioration, as well as present the risk of a loss in functionality of a system or component during flight. For propeller powered aircraft, preventing and removing the formation of ice on the propeller assembly is crucial for safety to ensure that blades can properly operate for thrust generation. With aircraft propeller auxiliary systems that function to melt and remove ice from propeller blades and surrounding components, the airfoil sections can be protected for the safety of pilots during flight.

For a number of reciprocating engine and piston engine aircraft to produce sufficient propulsion for flight, they require a mixture of air and fuel for optimal combustion. With the aircraft induction system, air is drawn from the surrounding atmosphere, mixed together with fuel, and then delivered to the cylinders for combustion by spark plugs. Depending on the type of aircraft and its needs, two primary types of induction systems are available, those being the carburetor and fuel injection system. While each type utilizes some different components and methods for induction, the end result of creating thrust remains the same.