102: Propulsion Systems Fundamentals
202 - PROPULSION SYSTEMS
FUNDAMENTALS
Unit Specific 202
Propulsion
Systems
202.1 Engine:
1. Power section- consists of an
axial-flow compressor, a combustion chamber, a multi-stage turbine, and an
exhaust section. The last two stages of the turbine are used to drive the
propeller using the torque- meter assembly and the reduction gearbox
assembly.
202.1.2 Propeller
Blades
5 (mod#) 4(#blades) H (shank size/type)
60(spline size) 77(minor mode#)
The four blades Hamilton standard (54H60-77)
propeller provides an efficient and flexible means of converging engines SHP to
thrust. The propeller consists of two principle sections: the rotating section
comprises the blades, hub, spinner and the dome that houses the pitch changing
mechanism; the nonrotating section contains an oil resevoir, pressure and
scavenger pump, the governor, and control mechanism. It is a constant speed,
variable pitch, full feathering propeller, having the added features of negative
torque sensing, pitch lock (to prevent excessive overspend) and a combination
synchronizing system.
202.1.3 Auxiliary Power
Unit
The APU is what makes the P-3 a self-sustaining
aircraft. The APU is made up of a turbine compressor driving a generator that is
identical to the engine driven generators. The gas turbine compressor has a two
stage centrifugal compressor and a single-stage inward flow radial turbine. Air
bled from the compressor is used for engine starting, ground air conditioning,
or for bomb bay heating. Because the power developed by the APU is somewhat
limited, all of the features cannot be used simultaneously. If bleed air is
demanded in sufficient quantities to jeopardize the generator output the amount
of bleed air being delivered is automatically reduced. Ground air-conditioning
and engine-starting air cannot be used simultaneously. It is possible, and
permissible; to use ground air and bomb bay heating simultaneously. The APU can
be operated in flight for electrical power use, but bleed air is not
available.
* On some aircraft the GTCP-95-3 APU
is installed that produces an increased airflow from the GTC95-2 model. Through
both models are interchangeable, they do not have the same EGT
limitations*
202.1.4 Fuel
Systems
1. Fuel cells-Four integral wing tanks and an
auxiliary tank carry the fuel supply for the engines. The auxiliary tank,
identified as tank #5, consists of a bladder-type fuselage tank connected to an
integral center section tank. The bladder cell is located in the unpressurized
area of the lower fuselage forward of the integral tank. All tanks are
automatically protected against excessive positive and negative pressure during
fueling, transfer, and de-fueling.
2. Vents-the tanks are vented by float-type vent
valves, located one in each wing tank and one in each cell of tank #5, that
prevents over pressurization and overflow or siphoning during
maneuvering.
3. Fuel Boost pumps-the bladder cell is equipped
fuel boost pumps consisting of a scavenger section and boost section. The
scavenger section routes fuel into a surge box while the boost section pumps
fuel from the surge box to the engine driven pumps. In addition, they supply
fuel flow cross feeding. Normal boost pump pressure is 15-30 PSI. A thermal
switch disconnects a transfer pump whenever the case temperature exceeds 400
degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Fuel Transfer Pumps-the bladder cell is
equipped with two transfer pumps. Each pump consists of a scavenger section and
a boost section. The boost section pumps fuel from the fuselage cell to any or
all wing tanks. The scavenger section pumps fuel to the fuselage cell from the
bottom of the center section tank. A thermal switch disconnects a transfer pump
whenever temperatures of the pump exceed 400 degrees
Fahrenheit.
5. Explosion Suppressant Foam-Aircraft
incorporating AFC-517 have explosion suppressant foam installed in the four
integral wing tanks. The fuel cell foam is a fully reticulated fire screen
designed to prevent fuel tank explosions caused by tracers or high explosive
incendiary rounds, thereby igniting oxygen rich fuel vapors. The foam adheres to
fuel droplets in order to deep the fuel cell cavity too fuel rich to support
combustion.
6.Control Panels-the fueling enables the pressure
fueling, located between the pressure fuel adapters, is the control center for
fueling and de-fueling. Also, the panel enables the pressure fueling valves to
be checked before fueling begins. Service light on the fueling control panel
will illuminate whenever the fueling panel service door is opened. An
inclinometer is mounted adjacent to the panel for attitude reference when using
the hydrostatic fuel quantity gauge
equipment.
202.2.1 how do the following
components work together to achieve the system's
function
1.Power Section-consists of a 14stage axial flow
compressor; six cylindrical combustion liners that comprise the combustion
section; a 4stage turbine section, an accessory drive unit; an oil system; and a
fuel control unit.
2.torquemeter-the struts and the torque meter
housing rigidly connect the reduction gear and the power unit. The torque meter
transmits torque from the power until to the reduction gear assembly and
provides an accurate means of measuring this torque. The torque meter housing is
also the primary support structure between the power and the reduction
gearbox.
3.Reduction Gear System-reduces the high RP, low
torque output of the power section to a low RPM, high torque output to be
utilized by the propeller shaft. The reduction gearbox consists of two stages of
reduction to avoid excessive gearbox size. The first stage (spur gear) has a
ratio of 3.125:1; the second stage (planetary type) has a reduction ratio of
4.333:1. This results in an overall reduction of 13.54:1.
4.Propeller-the purpose of the constant speed
propeller is to maintain a pre-selected RPM automatically.
5.Fuel Cells/Tanks-Four integral wing tanks and
an auxiliary tank carry the fuel supply to the engines.
6.Vents-the tanks are vented by float-type vent
valves, located one in each wing tank and one in the cell of tank #5, that
prevents over-pressurization and overflow or siphoning during
maneuvering.
7. Pumps-each wing tank is equipped with a fuel
boost pump consisting of a scavenge section and a boost section. The scavenge
section discharges into a surge box while the boost pump fuel from the surge box
to the engine-driven pump. In addition, they supply fuel for cross feeding.
Normal boost pump pressure is 15 to 30 PSI.
8.Control Panel-the control center for fueling
and de-fueling.
202.3.1 what us the P-3C total fuel
capacity in U.S. gallons
9,200 gallons total
JP-4 = 59,800 LBS @ 6.5
JP-5 =62,500 LBS @ 6.8
JP-8 = 61,640 LBS @ 6.7
202.4.1 how does the ambient air
temperature influence the operation of the fuel system
Fuel quantity indication can vary even though the
aircraft is serviced with the same number of gallons of fuel. The factors that
cause weight t change constant quantity are temperature and fuel density
tolerances. Fuel production specifications for JP-4 and JP-5 permit a density
range of +/- 0.2 pounds per U.S gallon. JP-8 fuel specifications allow a density
range of +/- 0.25 pounds per U.S gallons.
202.4.2 how does the fuel system
interface with the following
1.propulsion -each of the four wing tanks can
supply fuel to its respective engine or fuel can be supplied from any tank to
any engine through a cross feed system.
2.Hydraulic system-the #2 and #3 fuel tanks
provide a mean of cooling for hydraulic pumps. Minimum of 1,000 lbs of fuel is
required in each tank to provide adequate hydraulic
cooling.
202.5.1 what safety precautions must
be observed during fueling operations?
*Warning*
- Any RF transmission is a
potential source of fuel ignition.
- Allowing at least 3
minutes following re-fueling before using the dipstick. Failure to do so may
result in static discharge.
Aircraft incorporating AFC-517 build
up and retain electrostatic charges during fueling / de-fueling operations.
Following fueling / de-fueling of aircraft with AFC-517 installed, allow at
least 15 minutes to dissipate electrostatic charges prior to using the dipstick
or hydrostatic fuel gauge. The dipstick or hydrostatic fuel gauge shall not be
used when the aircraft is exposed to temperatures below -34 degrees C. Over wing
gravity fueling operations shall not be performed on aircraft incorporating
AFC-517 when outside air temperature is below -6 degrees
C.
Fueling must be halted immediately if
during the pressure fueling cycle any of the following occurs: 1) any wing tank
or tank 5 is over filled, 2) wing tank fuel spills from wing to vent or 3) loud
or unusual noise is accompanied by wing vibrations or aircraft deck vibrations.
An inspection of the internal wing structure (WS 380 through WSA465) for
structural damage must be accomplished prior to the next
flight
- To prevent structural damage, verify positive
fuel tank venting and ensure that fueling pressure does not exceed 55 PSI. The
pressure gauge for tank #5 must be closely monitored during fueling to prevent
tank over-pressurization.
- Because wing dihedral, the
filter must be located near the high outboard end of the engine feed tanks.
Consequently, dip sticking through the filter wells will yield a no-reading
indication unless the inboard tanks contain 4,225 lbs. (650 gallons) of fuel or
more, and the outboard tanks contain 8,775 lbs. (1,350 gallons) of fuel or
more.
EAWS Links
For comments contact:
AZC(AW/NAC) Kimberly King
flygal46@yahoo.com
AT1(AW) Toni Washington
tonnedda.washington@usmc.mil