FUEL METERING SYSTEM

AMTP 224

Prepared by:

MR. NINO ANGOB

A&P LIC# : 158167-AMT
 FUEL METERING ENGINE
• An aircraft's fuel delivery system must supply fuel to a fuel metering device in the
proper quantity while main­taining the quality of the fuel.
• The primary purpose of a fuel metering device is to blend the fuel and air needed
for combustion.
• In early aircraft, the fuel system was simple, consisting of a fuel tank, fuel lines, a
selector valve, and a carburetor.
• However, as aircraft engines increased in power and complexity, the quantity of
fuel required increased dramatically.
• Due to the complexities and importance of an aircraft's fuel system, an aviation
maintenance technician must be thoroughly familiar with the design, operation,
and maintenance of the aircraft's fuel delivery system.
• The fuel metering portion of an aircraft's fuel system controls the
amount of fuel being delivered to the engine. To obtain the best
engine performance and fuel economy, the fuel metering device must
be able to properly mix fuel and air over a wide range of operating and
environmental conditions. In addi­tion, a fuel metering device must be
able to atomize and distribute fuel in a manner that promotes com­
plete and even burning in the cylinders. Without proper atomization,
the fuel will not completely vaporize. In this situation, the unvaporized
fuel will not ignite and the engine will run lean even though the
correct amount of fuel is present. If this condi­tion is not corrected, the
lean mixture could even­tually cause severe engine damage.
The two fuel metering systems most used in aircraft are carburetors
and fuel injection systems. In carbureted aircraft, fuel and air meet
and are vaporized before entering the combustion cylinder. Then, as
the pilot throttles forward, more fuel and air are let into the
carburetor as there is a greater demand for power.
TYPES OF FUEL METERING ENGINE

CARBURETORS

FUEL INJECTED
Carburetors
• The aircraft carburetor is used to mix air and fuel in the proper ratio for
optimal combustion in the aircraft’s engine. Once the carburetor brings the
fuel and air together, the mixture flows to each engine cylinder, where it is
ignited.
• The most common type of aircraft carburetor is the float carburetor. In this
component, the fuel level in the fuel chamber is regulated by the action of a
floating valve. As the level of fuel in the chamber rises and falls, the float
opens and closes the fuel valve, keeping the fuel level constant. If the fuel
level in the chamber rises above the level of the discharge nozzle, fuel can
leak from the carburetor when the engine is off.
TYPES OF AIRCRAFT CARBURETOR
Aircraft carburetors are divided into two categories:

• float-type carburetors

• pressure-type carburetors.
• There are a number of fuel metering devices used on modern aircraft.
Each varies in design to accommo­date different engine types as well
as an aircraft's designed purpose. Today, modern reciprocating
engines use either a carburetor or fuel injection unit to meter fuel to
the engine. The two types of carbu­retors used include the float-type
carburetor, and pressure-injection carburetor. On the other hand, the
two types of fuel injection systems available are the continuous or
direct fuel injection systems.
PRESSURE –TYPE CARBURETORS
• A pressure carburetor is a type of carburetor that is designed to
maintain a constant fuel-air mixture ratio despite changes in altitude.
It is used in aircraft engines to ensure that the engine runs smoothly
and efficiently at different altitudes, where air pressure and density
can vary significantly. By maintaining a constant fuel-air mixture ratio,
a pressure carburetor helps to optimize engine performance and fuel
efficiency, making it a crucial component for aircraft flying at varying
altitudes.
• Although pressure-injection carburetors are not used on modern
reciprocating engines, you may run across them at some time in the
field
• The basic difference between a float-type and a pressure-type
carburetor is how each delivers fuel. The pressure-type carburetor
delivers fuel under pressure by a fuel pump.
Aircraft Reciprocating Engine Fuel Injection Systems
• In a fuel injection system, the fuel is injected directly into the
cylinders, or just ahead of the intake valve. The air intake for the fuel
injection system is similar to that used in a carburetor system, with an
alternate air source located within the engine cowling. This source is
used if the external air source is obstructed. The alternate air source is
usually operated automatically, with a backup manual system that can
be used if the automatic feature malfunctions.
• A fuel injection system usually incorporates six basic components: an
engine-driven fuel pump, a fuel-air control unit, a fuel manifold (fuel
distributor), discharge nozzles, an auxiliary fuel pump, and fuel
pressure/flow indicators.