Helicopter Transmission System

1. The majority of main gearbox lubricating systems provide warning indications to

the pilot and will be:
a. High oil temperature, low oil pressure, impending oil filter bypass and
chip detector
b. Low oil temperature, high oil pressure, impending oil filter bypass and chip
detector
c. oil pressure, high oil Oil level, low temperature and chip detector

2. The low pressure warning switch is usually located:

a. Between the sump and pump where the temperature is low
b. Before the filter and after the pump to detect pump failure
c. Somewhere near the end of the pressure delivery system

3. Oil pumps commonly found in transmission systems are normally:

a. Spur gear, vane and variable delivery multiple piston type
b. Vane, variable delivery and gerotor
c. Gerotor, spur gear and vane

4. Angular contact bearing:

a. are suitable for radial loads and thrust in one direction only
b. are mounted on a shaft which is fitted at an angle to the bearing
c. are suitable for thrust loads in both directions and radial loads

5. Tapered roller bearing:

a. will accept a radial load and an axial load in the direction of the taper
b. are all lubricated by grease and fitted to helicopter rotor heads
c. are capable of taking axial loads against the taper and radial loads

6. In a gas turbine powered helicopter, for autorotation to take place, you will need:
a. no freewheeling unit
b. a freewheeling unit, a clutch between the engine and the rotor system
c. a freewheeling unit between the rotor system and the engine

7. Flexible shaft couplings:

a. allow for airframe flexing during flight which could cause transmission system
components to run out of true
b. allow for expansion of shaft due to heat
c. allow for the correct fitment of shaft to airframe to correctly align shafts on the
same waterline
8. The following components are driven from the main gearbox accessory drive
casing:
a. One D.C. generator, rotor tacho-generator, oil pump by hydraulic pump
b. Rotor tacho-generator, oil pump, hydraulic pump and gerotor pump
c. Rotor tacho-generator, oil pump and hydraulic pump

9. The main transmission lubrication system has:

a. One pressure pump and no scavenge pump
b. One pressure pump and one scavenge pump
c. One pressure pump and unreal scavenge pump

10. Pressure regulation of the gearbox oil system is achieved by:

a. two relief valves in the oil cooler
b. a relief valve fitted to the pump outer line
c. a by-pass valve fitted to the pressure filter

11. A freewheel is fitted in the transmission to:

a. relieve torsional stresses in the gearbox and rotor drive when starting up and
accelerating
b. isolate the main rotor from the engine and tail rotor
c. prevent the rotor driving the engine

12. In autorotation, the rotor is allowed to rotate freely:

a. by fitting a clutch between the engine and transmission
b. by fitting a free wheel unit between the engine and transmission
c. by fitting a gearbox between the engine and transmission

13. A clutch is fitted in a helicopter transmission in order to:

a. permit the engine to be started without excessive static loading
b. prevent the rotors from being turned by the wind
c. permit the main rotor to rotate freely during autorotation

14. A freewheel unit:

a. allows the rotor drive to turn without turning the engine
b. allows the engine to be off loaded during start up
c. allows the rotor drive to turn without turning the engine and off loads the
engine

15. In a free turbine engine rotorcraft installation:

 a. there is no need for a clutch between engine and transmission
b. there must be a clutch between engine and transmission
c. there must be a free wheel between compressor and turbine

16. To allow the blades to rotate freely in autorotation:

a. A free-wheel unit is fitted between the engine and rotor system
b. A clutch is fitted between engine and rotor system
c. A clutch and free wheel unit are fitted between engine and rotor system

17. In a gas turbine powered helicopter (free turbine):

a. There is a free-wheel unit (F.W.U.) between compressor and turbine
b. There is no need for a clutch
c. There is no need for a F.W.U.

18. The tail rotor is:

a. driven by the main transmission gearbox
b. driven independently
c. driven by the main transmission gearbox via a T.R. clutch

19. In autorotation, the tail rotor:

a. is likely to stop rotating altogether
b. will continue as it autorotates independently
c. will continue as it is driven by the main rotor transmission gearbox

20. In a free turbine engine:

a. its shaft may be connected to either a compressor or another turbine
b. the air enters the compressor via the input turbine
c. the compressor and power output shaft are not mechanically connected

21. The oil filter is a:

a. cleanable filter
b. throw away filter
c. none of the above

22. The oil cooler blower is powered by the:

a. Motor b. Starter c. Main drive shaft

23. Oil by-passes the oil cooler when:

a. Temperature is high
b. Temperature is low
 c. Only at starting

24. The input pinion gear engages the:

a. Tail rotor input gear
b. Main rotor output gear
c. Tail rotor output gear

25. Wear on gear teeth are usually checked with which of these?
a. feeler gauge
b. vernier gauge
c. gauge pins

26. The inner ring of the freewheeling unit has a:

a. Fixed gear
b. Free gear
c. Movable gear

27. The rotor tachometer drive is located at the:

a. lower case with the main rotor mast support
b. top case with the main rotor mast support
c. bottom case with main rotor mast support

28. Some helicopter transmission utilizes:

a. direct gear reduction system
b. preferred gear reduction system
c. planetary gear reduction system

29. The lower case bearing is made up of:

a. Aluminium with steel liners
b. Brass with steel liners
c. Bronze with aluminium liners

30. If the freewheeling unit is in operative, the helicopter would have problems with:
a. Vertical flight
b. Translational flight
c. Autorotation

31. The oil system lubricates the transmission and:

a. Freewheel b. Clutch c. Spur gear
32. Brake units are normally attached to the input of the:
a. Freewheel b. Clutch c. Transmission

33. The freewheeling unit is checked during preflight run up:

a. by visual inspection
b. by use of a tachometer
c. need not be inspected in preflight run up

34. When power is reduced rapidly, the two needles of the tachometer should:
a. be joined together
b. split
c. has no effect on the needles

35. To inspect the clutch, the engine is run and:

a. the tachometer needles are checked for engagement
b. the tachometer needles are checked to stay superimposed
c. the tachometer needles are checked for disengagement

36. During starting, the engine RPM will be ahead of the:

a. rotor RPM until the clutch is fully engaged
b. rotor RPM until the clutch is fully disengaged
c. rotor RPM until the clutch is in neutral position

37. The epicyclic reduction gear and accessories drive used on some helicopters are
of modular design implies:
a. that they may be replaced without adjustment
b. that they requires special tool or returning to a workshop for replacement
c. all of the above

38. The type of lubricating system commonly used in transmission system of the
helicopter is:
a. Dry sump type
b. Wet sump type
c. Constant pressure type

39. Setting of the oil filter pre blockage indicator:

a. lower than the by-pass valve
b. higher than the by-pass valve
c. the same as the pump valve
40. Drop of oil pressure below the system pressure will:
a. illuminate the low oil pressure light
b. illuminate the high oil pressure light
c. has no effect on light illumination

41. Scavenge oil is the name for:

a. Oil from the outlet of an oil pump
b. Oil returning from the gears and bearings
c. Not applicable

42. In the spur gear pump, the pressure relief valve is fitted to:
a. protect rotating gear from seizure
b. prevent the drive shaft from shearing
c. all of the above

43. The filter unit of an oil system incorporates a by-pass assembly to:
a. allow unfiltered oil through to the lubricating system in the event of blockage of
the filter element
b. to indicate to the pilot the level of oil in the filter
c. to increase the efficiency of filtration of the filter

44. The torquemeter is used to measure:

a. Shaft horsepower
b. Power output of the turbine engine
c. All of the above

45. What are input and the ring gear housing of the main gearbox made of?
a. Steel alloy
b. Magnesium alloy
c. Aluminium alloy

46. The oil temperature sensor are normally situated:

a. downstream of the oil cooler
b. upstream of the oil cooler
c. on the oil pressure jets

47. Excessively high oil temperature are the result of:

a. incorrect oil levels within the gearbox
b. effective oil cooling system
c. all of the above
48. Magnetic chip detectors are normally situated at:
 a. outlet of the gearbox oil pump
b. outside of the sump
c. inlet to the gearbox oil pump

49. A thermostatic valve:

a. allows oil to pass the cooler in cold condition
b. allows oil to by-pass the cooler in hot condition
c. allows oil to by-pass the cooler in cold conditions

50. In very cold weather, the pilot notices slightly higher than normal oil pressure on
start up. This:
a. indicated an oil change is required
b. is indicative of a blocked oil filter
c. is acceptable provided it returns to normal after start up

51. Where is torque measured in a turboprop engine?

a. Accessory gearbox
b. Reduction gearbox
c. At the turbine

52. If the oil temperature of the MGB is abnormally high:

a. Manually disconnect and reconnect oil temperature gauge
b. Filter by-pass oil to the engine
c. Investigation into the causes must be made

53. The pressure relief valve in the oil system of a main gearbox:
a. regulates the pressure pump delivery pressure
b. regulates the scavenge pump delivery pressure
c. regulates the oil temperature of the pressure pump delivery pressure

54. The rapid emission of bubbles in hydrochloric acid of sample particles from a
gearbox during contamination assessment is an indication of:
a. Copper particles
b. Magnesium particles
c. Aluminium particles

55. Particles of brass/or bronze in small quantities in a transmission bearing system

is an indication of:
a. Bearing fatigue
b. Normal bearing cage wear
 c. Component damage

56. Copper and bronze particles can be identified by:

a. Hydrochloric acid
b. Nitric acid
c. Picked by permanent magnet

57. Backlash in a gear system is:

a. play between two meshing gears
b. the difference between the distance between two teeth and the width of the
engaging tooth
c. all of the above

58. What is the purpose of clutches?

a. unload the engine during starting operation
b. not transmitting power and movement to the main rotor
c. all of the above

59. Rotor brake is fitted:

a. After the main gearbox on the intermediate shaft
b. Before the main gearbox on the intermediate shaft
c. On the intermediate shaft before the main gearbox

60. A spongy feel in the rotor brake operation system is an indication of:
a. No air in the system
b. Air in the system
c. Inadequate pressure in the system

61. A splining shaft connections is used as an alternative to:

a. Universal drive coupling
b. Flanged coupling
c. Flexible coupling

62. A flexible coupling is used in some helicopter type to permit:

a. flexible movement of the gearboxes
b. lateral and longitudinal flexibility of the tail drive shaft
c. all of the above

63. Torque meters indicates:

a. Power applied to the main gearbox
 b. Power output of the turbine engine
c. All of the above

64. The purpose of intermediate gearbox is to:

a. change the speed of drive
b. change the direction of rotation
c. change the angle of drive

65. Chip detectors are installed in the gearbox to monitor for:

a. Broken gear teeth in the assembly
b. Ferrous particles in the gearbox
c. Aluminium alloy particles in the gearbox

66. A dry sump lubrication system utilizes:

a. A separate tank supplying oil to a scavenge pump submerged in oil
b. A separate tank, pressure and scavenge pump
c. A separate tank supplying oil to jets and bearing

67. Why is a freewheel unit necessary on a helicopter transmission system?

a. To enable the engine to be started
b. In the event of an engine failure, the rotor will continue to turn
c. So that when the helicopter is in forward flight, the freewheel units take the
load

68. Why are clutches used on piston engine helicopter?

a. To be able to disengage the rotor by the pilot when necessary
b. When the pilot operates the clutch, it brings in the freewheel units
c. To enable the engine to be started before the rotor is fully engaged

69. An epicyclic reduction gear is sometimes known as:

a. Sun and star type reduction gear
b. Sun and planetary reduction gear
c. Ring and planetary reduction gear

70. The larger the gear means:

a. High RPM
b. Low torque
c. High torque

ESSAY
1. (a) List the main components for a single main rotor transmission. (4 marks)

 Power plant
 Clutch
 Free wheel
 Main Gearbox
 Rotor brake
 Intermediate Gearbox
 Tail rotor Gearbox
 Combining Gearbox
(b) State six (6) functions of the main rotor gearbox system. (3 marks)

 It provide mounting and drive for the main rotor shaft

 It provide mounting for servo of flying control
 It combine inputs of more than one engine into one output
 It changes direction of drive from the engine to the main rotor shaft
 It reduces engine speed low enough to drive the main rotor blade
preventing it from experiencing compressibility problem of the blade tip
 It provide mounting for rotor blade assembly

(c) List (6) six main gearbox drive accessories (3marks)

 Generator
 Rotor tacho-generator
 Hydraulic pump
 Lubricating oil pump
 Tail drive shaft
 Oil cooling fan

2. (a) Draw a simple block diagram of a transmission system for single engine
helicopter and list all its parts (4½ marks)

(b) List (5) five major components of main gearbox lubrication system (2½ marks)

 Oil pump
 Magnetic chip detector
 Thermostatic valve
  Oil cooling system
 Oil filter

(c) Define the following terms:

 Gear (1 mark)
 Bearing (1mark)
 Backlash (1 mark)

Gear: a toothed mechanical part that engage to another toothed part to transmit
motion from one rotating body to another

Bearing: is a mechanism that support rotating parts and reduces friction

Backlash: is the difference between the distance between two tooth and the width
of engaging tooth

3. (a) List (5) five main methods employed in Health monitoring (2½ marks)

 HUMS (Health & Usage Monitoring System)

 Vibration monitoring
 Filter monitoring
 Magnetic chip detector
 Spectrometric oil analysis program (SOAP)

(b) Discuss briefly the following:

 Torquemeter (1½ marks)

 Temperature limitation (2 marks)
 Overspeed transmission (2 marks)
 Sudden stoppage of transmission (2 marks)