1

Your Name: Clyde Mark S. Rosales

Professor Name: Engr. Krizz Trillo
Subject Name: Aircraft Powerplant 1 (Reciprocating Engine)
March 12, 2021
Laboratory Task

Write the major components of a reciprocating engine and attach its IMAGE,
CONSTRUCTION, TYPES, PARTS and MECHANISM.
1. Crankcase

A crankcase is the housing for the crankshaft in a reciprocating internal combustion engine.

In most modern engines, the crankcase is integrated into the engine block. It is the core of a
reciprocating engine and it contains the internal parts of the engine. It provides the attach points
for every cylinders, external accessories, and airframe installation. The crankcase provides a
tight enclosure for the lubricating oil. The crankcase is extremely strong because of the great
amount of internal and external forces. To provide the necessary strength and rigidity of the
crankcase and at the same time to lessen the weight, most aircraft crankcases are made of cast
aluminum alloys. There are different types of crankcase. These are the Opposed Engine
Crankcase and Radial Engine Crankcase.
 2

2. Crankshafts

The crankshaft is the backbone of the reciprocating engine. It is subjected to most of the
forces developed by the engine. Its main purpose is to transform the reciprocating motion of the
piston and connecting rod into rotary motion for rotation of the propeller. Due to the high stress
handled by the crankshaft, it is made from a strong alloy such as chromium-nickel molybdenum
steel for it to hand withstand extreme forces. Some crankshafts are made from a single forging,
while others are formed by joining several components. The centerline of a crankshaft runs
through the center of the main bearing journals wherein these journals supports the crankshaft as
is rotates. There are different types of crankshaft and these are the single-throw, two-throw, four-
throw, and six-throw.
 3

3. Pistons

In a reciprocating engine, pistons are cylindrical plunger that moves up and down within a
cylinder assembly. The two primary functions of a piston together with the intake and exhaust
valves is to manage the fuel, air, and exhaust pressures inside the cylinder. They transmit
combustion force to the crankshaft through the connecting rod. This then spins the crankshaft
and so as the propeller. Aircraft pistons are usually made of aluminum alloy or steel forgings. Six
ring grooves are machined into the outside surface of the piston. To uppermost portion of the
piston ins called the piston head. The piston head is the one that is exposed to heat and pressure
during the combustion process. Piston rings prevents leakage from the combustion chamber,
controls oil spillage, and transfer heat from the piston into the cylinder walls.
 4

4. Cylinders

In a reciprocating engine, the cylinder is the combustion chamber. It is where the burning
and expansion of gases takes place. It is the place where the intake, compression, power, and
exhaust happen to produce engine power. The cylinder also houses the piston and connecting rod
assembly together with the intake and exhaust valves, and the spark plugs. A cylinder must be
strong enough to handle extreme heat and internal pressure created during operation. It also has
to be lightweight in order to minimize engine weight and will produce high power to weight
ratio. A cylinder also has a good heat-conducting property in order to ensure good cooling
efficiency. Typical air-cooled cylinder has cylinder head, barre, mounting flange, skirt, cooling-
fins, and valve assembly.
 5

5. Valves

The engine valves are the one who regulates the airflow in and out the cylinder. It opens
and closes in sequence together with an appropriate timing during the four-stroke cycle or Otto
cycle. There are two valves in every cylinders. These are the intake valve and it is where the fuel
and air mixture enter into the cylinder. The next one is the exhaust valves that opens after
combustion and takes out the exhaust gases produced during combustion. Valves in the cylinders
are exposed to high temperatures, corrosion, and operating stresses. Metal alloy in the valves
must be able to resist all these factors. Exhaust valves are usually made from nichrome,
nichrome, or cobalt-chromium steel due to its heat resistant feature. Unlike the exhaust valves,
intake valves operate at lower temperatures so that’s why it is usually made from chromic-nickel
steel. Reciprocating engines require a valve operating mechanism to open each valve at the
correct time, hold it open, and then close it. A typical valve operating mechanism includes an
internally driven camshaft or cam ring that pushes against a valve lifter. The valve lifter, or
tappet, transmits the force from the cam to a push rod, which in turn, actuates a rocker arm to
overcome the valve spring tension and open the valve
 6

6. Connecting Rods

A connecting rod, also called a con rod, is the part of a piston engine which connects
the piston to the crankshaft. Together with the crank, the connecting rod converts
the reciprocating motion of the piston into the rotation of the crankshaft. Connecting rods are
usually made of durable steel alloy. There are also aluminum connecting rods and these are used
in low-horsepower engines. Connecting rod’s weight corresponds to the amount of inertia it
possesses when the rod and piston stop before accelerating in the opposite direction at the end of
each stroke. Typical connecting rods are forged with a cross-sectional shape that resembles an H
or I. Crankpin end of the connecting rod is the one that is connected to the crankshaft and the
piston end connects to the piston. There are three major types of connecting rods. These are the
plain connecting rods, master-and-articulated rod assembly, and the for-and-blade rod assembly.