AENG 413

Reciprocating Engines

Assignment No. 2
Induction System

Submitted by: Franco, Deomary Angelo B.

Subj. & Sec.: AENG 413-1
Submitted on: October 9, 2018
 Reciprocating Engine Induction Systems
The induction system brings in air from the outside, mixes it with fuel, and delivers the
fuel/air mixture into the cylinder for combustion.
The basic induction system of an aircraft reciprocating engine consists of an air scoop used
to collect the inlet air and ducting that transfers the air to the inlet filter. The air filter is
generally housed in the carburetor heat box or other housing close by that is attached to the
carburetor or fuel injection controller. The engine used in light aircraft is usually equipped
with either a carburetor or a fuel-injection system. After air passes through the fuel
metering device, an intake manifold with long curved pipes or passages is used to send the
fuel/air mixture to the cylinders. An induction air scoop is shown in Figure 1. The air scoop is
located on the engine cowling to allow maximum airflow into the engine’s induction system.
The air filter, shown in Figure 2, prevents dirt and other foreign matter from entering the
engine. Filtered air enters the fuel metering device (carburetor/fuel injector) where the
throttle plate controls the amount of air flowing to the engine. The air coming out of the
throttle is referred to as manifold pressure. This pressure is measured in inches of mercury
("Hg) and controls engine power output.
Figure 1
 I. Aspirated
An engine that is naturally aspirated uses the dynamics forces involved in its own operation
to move air into its cylinders.
So if a reciprocating engine is not turbocharged or supercharged (which will be discussed
later), then obviously, it is naturally aspirated.
The typical induction system on a normally aspirated engine consists of four major
components, or sections: air intake, induction air filter, fuel metering system, and induction
manifold. Additional subsystems such as an alternate air source, an ice removal or
prevention system, and a temperature indicating system are often included to provide the
pilot with information and limited control of the system.
Advantages against forced induction system:

 Easier to maintain and repair

 Lower development and production costs
 Increased reliability due to fewer separate parts
 More direct throttle response
Disadvantages against forced induction system:

 Decreased efficiency
 Decreased Power-to-Weight ratio
 Decreased potential for tuning
 Increased power loss at higher elevation

Figure 2
 II. Turbocharged
A type of forced induction which has a mechanical device (a turbo charger) which forces air
into the cylinders. So if more air is increased inside cylinders, more fuel is needed to
maintain a good balance of air/fuel ratio.
In a turbocharged induction system, there is a turbocharger which is a device that reuses
the engine’s exhaust gases to cram more air into the engine, resulting in more power.
A disadvantage of turbocharging is that they have lag, which is a noticeable delay in the time
between when the accelerator is fully applied and the time when the turbo kicks in.
Figure 3 and 4 shows where a turbocharger is installed in a turbocharged induction system.
Figure 3

Figure 4
 III. Supercharged
Another type of forced induction system which has a device called supercharger. For this
case, it is driven by the engine’s crankshaft rather than by exhaust gases.
A super charger has an advantage over a turbocharger in that there is no lag. Another
advantage is that the super charger works even at low RPM, while turbos only work at
higher RPM.
Superchargers are a natural addition to aircraft piston engines that are intended for
operation at high altitudes. As an aircraft climbs to higher altitude, air pressure and air
density decreases. The output of engine drops due to reduction in mass of air needed for
combustion.
Figure 5 shows the schematic diagram of a supercharge induction system and Figure 6 is an
example of a supercharger.
Figure 5

Figure 6
 IV. Conclusion
Induction system plays a vital role in engine operations since they provide a way for the
engines to intake the air needed for combustion. It is synonymous to the mouth in the case
of humans; without our mouth, we could not eat the food we needed to gain energy for our
needs.
Different engines serve different purposes. If a higher altitude is part of the aircraft’s
mission, a supercharger or turbocharger is must but having these devices may give certain
disadvantages. So installing these devices is not necessary unless those very high altitudes
are really needed, otherwise, an aspirated induction system would suffice.
As aeronautical engineering students, it is necessary for us to study induction systems, their
advantages and disadvantages, and their differences so we can decide what is viable for our
aircraft depending on its design. Knowing when to use something is our primary role as we
decide what is the best choice to achieve great and efficient results.

Sources:
FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Powerplant, Volume 1

Jeppesen A&P Technician Powerplant Textbook

https://en.m.wikibooks.org/wiki/Automotive_Systems/Intake_System

https://en.m/wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturally_aspirated_engine

www.cfinotebook.net/notebook/operation-of-aircraft-systems/induction

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercharger