Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #36892
From: Ed Anderson <eanderson@carolina.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Pinched Duct
Date: Mon, 7 May 2007 18:13:18 -0400
To: Rotary motors in aircraft <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>

Thanks, Bill
 
That's what this list is all about - sharing the good, the bad and the ugly.  Hopeful, such discussion (regardless of outcome) aids others to develop a fuller understanding of some of the complexities involved. 
 
Yes, I am looking forward to somebody who is able to cram a full up streamline duct into his installation.  That should give them best duct airflow, pressure recovery and cooling.  You may be the first!
 
Ed
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2007 3:47 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Pinched Duct

Ed, It does really sound like you have a good handle on things. Truly for best efficiency you want to run a bit hotter. Most of the cars now use 180°F thermostat and many 190°! They are after mileage for the CAFE requirements though. Lynn has mentioned several times that the best power range is around 170 for the rotary and that sounds about right. The interesting part is that as you inprove your cooling your max power changes, usually towards more, thank goodness. I intend to have my radiators in a "cheek" position so I can run a longer wedge duct to them. Time will tell if this is any better than the evap cores. At least on the rotary you don't have as much stuff blocking the exit. We would all do well to consider that factor when designing our setups.
 I would really like to thank you Ed for your efforts to help all of us who come later to the party. Your chronicles of both the good and the bad will save many people from peril, THANKS AGAIN. Fly safe and often!
Bill Jepson  
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: eanderson@carolina.rr.com
To: flyrotary@lancaironline.net
Sent: Mon, 7 May 2007 11:19 AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Pinched Duct

Hi Bill,
<SNIP> 
My cooling system now seems well (if not optimized) matched to my current installation.  Full power take offs on hot days see my cooling temps elevate to 200F for oil and 210-220F for coolant.  Once I hit 120 MPH IAS the cooling system catches up and starts to eliminate the cooling deficit. 
 
At my normal retired-man cruise of 7- 8 gph, my coolant and oil range from 155-170F depending on OAT.  When I push it to my max fuel flow/power 10.5-12.5 gph at  altitude  the temperatures of both increase until they are in the 190-195F range.  This gives me my maximum true airspeed.  So it appears my cooling capacity is about  right where I need it.  Certainly a surplus at low power cruise, but just adequate on take/off climbout on hot days and adequate for full boogie flight.
 
I really don't know how much drag (if any) I have eliminated, but I am convinced that it is less than if I had more of the core exposed to high velocity airflow. 
 
Sorry, I can't be more definitive about it - I would like to know as well, but only so much time to get all the wonderful projects on my list done.  Perhaps someone with the inclination and time will someday put this idea in a wind tunnel and tell us {:>)
 
Ed
 
 
 
 

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