102: Propulsion Systems Fundamentals

202 - PROPULSION SYSTEMS FUNDAMENTALS

Unit Specific 202

Propulsion Systems 

202.1 Engine:

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*



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For comments contact:


AZC(AW/NAC) Kimberly King
flygal46@yahoo.com


AT1(AW) Toni Washington
tonnedda.washington@usmc.mil