Return-Path: Received: from fed1mtao03.cox.net ([68.6.19.242] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.1.8) with ESMTP id 2923930 for flyrotary@lancaironline.net; Thu, 08 Jan 2004 22:31:19 -0500 Received: from smtp.west.cox.net ([172.18.180.56]) by fed1mtao03.cox.net (InterMail vM.5.01.06.05 201-253-122-130-105-20030824) with SMTP id <20040109033117.RNEB28419.fed1mtao03.cox.net@smtp.west.cox.net> for ; Thu, 8 Jan 2004 22:31:17 -0500 From: To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Cooling Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2004 22:31:16 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="----=____1073619076849_G,50C1NfVe" Message-Id: <20040109033117.RNEB28419.fed1mtao03.cox.net@smtp.west.cox.net> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=____1073619076849_G,50C1NfVe Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Is there a danger letting the temps of the rotor housings > operate at a higher temp as long as we are below the melting point by a > safe margin(say 350 vs the water cooled 200-250)? > Ignorance is bliss! :-) > > MikeJ > The other issue, besided what rusty mentioned, is that you could melt the coolant o-rings. Dave Leonard ------=____1073619076849_G,50C1NfVe Content-Type: text/html; name="reply" Content-Disposition: inline; filename="reply" Message

Is there a danger letting the temps of the rotor housings
operate at a higher temp as long as we are below the melting point by a
safe margin(say 350 vs the water cooled 200-250)?
Ignorance is bliss!  :-)

MikeJ

 
It's a nice thought, but I doubt it would be a good idea.  The engine is made up of dissimilar metals (aluminum rotor housings, steel rotors) that expand at different rates with temperature.  I have to believe that the approved clearances are set to be optimum for the normal temp, which is probably about 180-200.  I think I read that you start losing power above about 180 also.  The other problem may be the seals.  I know the oil temp is supposed to be less than 210 when it enters the engine, to avoid damaging the seals on the rotors, so the water housing seals may also have the same sort of limits. 
 
BTW, I can't quote any sources, or actual temps.  This is all just my understanding of how it works, so please correct me if I got any of this wrong.
 
Cheers,
Rusty
 



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