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Aviation History
1909
1909 - 0791.PDF
DECEMBER II. 1909 ENGINES FOR DIRIGIBLES. THAT department in engine design which is facing the problem of constructing engines for dirigibles, has to contend with a very different set of factors to those which beset the path of the builder of motors for use on aeroplanes. The airship, although still in its infancy, like the flyer, is advancing to the conquest of its element along quite different lines, and the demands which it makes on an engine are in consequence of a dissimilar character ; where, in the engine for flight, lightweight is, for temporary purposes at any rate, occasionally made the almost sole factor of importance, in the engines for a dirigible, reliability and efficiency are of paramount value from the first. Light weight is, and must ever remain, an important factor in connection with all aeronautical work, but while it is very often regarded as a means to an end in aviation, in the " lighter-than-air " school it can be looked upon more as a feature to be evolved in the fulness of time. The result of this is that the engines in this category essentially stand out as belong- ing to a class by them- & selves, quite apart from the fact that they are essen- .jf''... tially more powerful than any- thing that is ""' *""• yet being used in flight. A dirigible of any con- siderable size offers a very highresistance to the air on account of its bulk, and to attain a mas- tery over the of such motors, but among them is the'l Wolseley Co., who exhibit under the auspices of the Office d'Aviation, the 180-h.p. model which was familiar to the visitors of the Atro Show in London. Other prominent firms are Messrs. Panhard, Pipe, De Dion, and liayard-Clement. One and all are building substantial high-powered PARIS FLIGHT SHOW.—View of the 170-h.p. Pipe airshipengine, showing the inclined valves. The method of suspending the engine frame on quarter-elliptic springs, and the use ofjradius-rods to prevent swaying, is also shown. "Flight" Copyright Photo. WOLSELEY AERO MOTOR.—End view, showingthe gearing for the cam-shaft, magneto and oil-pump. The fastening of the aluminium water-jackets to thecylinders is a special detail of the construction promi- nently shown in the above illustration. elements in even fair weather calls for high power. At present the range for such engines seems to be anything from 100 to 2OO-h.p. Fewer makers appear to be interesting themselves in the construction PARIS FLlGrir SriOW.— View 61 the 200-h.p. Bayard-Clement airshipengine, showing the overhead cam-shaft which operates the inclined valves. engines, and with the exception of the De Dion they are of th vertical type. Messrs. Wolseley and Bayard-Clement lighten their construction by the use of partial copper water-jackets, while Messrs. De Dion and Pipe employ aluminium pipes, but except in this respect such lightness as the engines possess is essentially derived from refined workmanship and high-class materials rather than by the adoption of novel features. Messrs. Pipe have found the diagonal valves they have for a long while used in their motor car engines to be admirably suited to their present work, and Messrs. Clement-Bayard also employ a somewhat similar arrangement with a different method of operation. In the Wolseley engine the valves are arranged at the side in the orthodox way, as also is the case in connection with the De Dion motor, which, however, belongs to the V type. Summarised details of these motors are given herewith. Pipe 17O-h.p. — Four-cylinder water-cooled vertical engine, having the cylinders cast in pairs. Steel pistons and steel rings are used. The valves are placed diagonally in the cylinder heads, after the standard Pipe practice on motor car engines. The crank- shaft is supported on three ball-bearings, and the engine as a whole is carried on a frame suspended by four quarter-elliptic springs arranged trans- versely at the corners. Adjustable radius-rods are fitted to prevent swaying, the outer ends of the springs being attached to shackles. Dimensions.—160 mm. by 180 mm. ; weight (with fly-wheel), 410 kilogs. ; h.p., 170 at 1,350 r.p.m. ; price, 25,000 francs. Clement - Bayard 2OO-h.p. — Four - cylinder water-cooled vertical engine, having its cylinders cast in pairs complete with the cylinder-heads 791
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