Item 1005

DESIGN: UniCopter ~ Engine - Cooling - System: for Rotax 912 S

Drawing:

Maybe in future

Notes:

 Crazy idea: Consider using a larger then required fan and increasing the volume of air. This additional air may result in greater heat absorption from the engine and radiator. It will give a slightly higher velocity at the tail end of the boom, which will help with thrust and yaw. This additional thrust, or reduction in parasitic drag, below the disks may reduce the negative pitching in forward flight slightly. In other words, the loss in efficiency by driving the fan faster than normal may be made up for by other advantages. Forward flight will also unload the fan slightly.

The incoming air is to come from two 'scoops' which are located just below the secondary reductions on both sides of the pilots head. Additional air will come from the top, just aft of the two rotorheads. This air would flow past the engine, through the fan, through a radiator (if the engine is water-cooled), and then down the boom. At the end of the boom, it will be exit straight back or be redirected to either side by the rudder extension. The volume of air is to be greater that that which is required just for cooling. Dduring fast forward flight the airflow entering and exiting the 'engine compartment' will reduce the power consumed by the fan.

Later combine the above with the other related notes, [B291 & UniCopter_Cooling] and just reference it from here. It relates to Engine - Cooling, Yaw and Stability re: reduced negative pitch during forward fligh

Crazy idea 2: Consider having a tube at the center bottom of the cockpit that runs from the nose, between the feet and under the seat to the area of the engine.

This tube will;

    1. Draw air from a high-pressure area.
    2. Reduce the parasitic drag somewhat.
    3. Add reinforcing to the cockpit.

On further thought, this may be a lot of work and in reality it may actually disturb the air flow at the start of the fuselage.

Crazy Idea 3:

I think that the higher the air pressure is in the engine compartment the better it will be for the engine, because

In other words, in hover it may be advantageous to put the fan(s) at the air-input locations and have the air flow restrictive radiators aft of the engine. Consider mounting the fans on the X-shaft.

Crazy Idea 4:

Consider using the pusher propeller for cooling. Ref: DESIGN: UniCopter ~ Pusher Prop - General - Pusher Prop Assist

 Size of Radiator:

The radiator for the 912 must have 78 sq-in of surface area. This is 8" * 10" or 10" diameter. Consider making width greater than height and passing exhaust underneath.

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Last Revised: August 18, 2002