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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0744.PDF
SOME AMERICAN AERO ENGINES. THE ONE of the few American air-cooled Vee engines is that manufactured by the Kemp machine works of Muncie, Ind., an 8-cylinder 75 h.p., with cylinders set at 900. As with the Renault engine, the cylinders are cooled by a blower mounted on the propeller end of the crankshaft. This blower drives a current of air through two outlet pipes to manifolds on each group of cylinders, and thence round each of the cylinders, under aluminium jackets surrounding the latter. After circulating round the cylinders, which have cooling fins formed on them in the usual way, the air passes out immediately opposite KEMP, mum efficiency. Both inlet and exhaust valves, made from Tungsten steel, are mechanically operated from a single camshaft, situated between each group of cylinders, through tappet rods and rocker arms. Very light pistons are employed, made of the same material as the cylinders, and each having two concentric "Wasson" rings and three oil grooves. The connecting rods are of an alu minium-bronze alloy, a material used with success on previous models, which, it is claimed, has a strength equal to that of steel and is guaranteed not to crystallise and fracture. In section they are similar to the usual H type, except that they have an extra rib down the centre. The crankshaft is cut from a solid billet of special Vana dium steel, heat treated and bored throughout. It is supported in five bearings, of high speed nickel-babbitt, whilst ball thrust bearings taking either push or pull are also provided. Provision is made at the blower fan end Fig. I.—The 80 h.p. Kemp air-cooled aeromotor. View showing the cooling fan. the point of entry. Each cylinder thus gets an equal quantity of air and all the parts are uniformly cooled. The whole of the cooling gear, consisting of the blower fan, casing, manifolds, and jackets, are of aluminium, and only weigh 31 lbs., which compares very favourably with the weight of radiators, pumps, water, &c, in a water-cooled engine of equal power. In practice this arrangement has given every satisfaction, over-heating troubles being, it is claimed by the makers, eliminated. The cylinders, of semi-steel, having a bore of 4J ins. and a stroke of 4$ ins., are cast separately with turned circumferential cooling ribs, and are held down on to the crankcase by studs passing through flanges formed on the cylinder base. The valves are located in the head immediately over the piston, a position admitted to be the best for maxi- ® ® Fatal Accident to Captain Blood. ON the 28th ult., an inquest was held relative to the death of Captain liindon Blood of the 4th Hussars, who died on the 25th from burn9 received the previous day. According to the evidence, the deceased while doing some sharp turns apparently lost control of his machine, which fell to the ground. The petrol tank caught fire, and Captain Blood was enveloped in flames. A verdict of *' Acci dental Death " was returned. Fatal Accident In France. IT was reported from Paris on Saturday that Lieutenant Maudhuy, son of General Maudhuy, had been killed in an aeroplane Fig. 2.—The other end of the 80 h.p. Kemp air - cooled aero - motor. of the crankshaft for the attachment of either hand or electric starting gear. The two-piece crankcase is of high strength aluminium alloy, thoroughly webbed and ribbed. Lubrication is a combination of forced and splash, a gear pump forcing a constant supply of oil from the sump, which has a capacity of four gallons, on to the crankshaft bearings and camshaft, the cylinders being lubricated by splash. Two Zenith carburettors are employed, one for each group of cylinders. A single magneto is fitted, driven from the camshaft gear wheel. Unlike the Renault engine, the propeller or tractor screw is mounted direct on the crankshaft. The makers recommend the use of Paragon propellers or tractors, having found this particular make most suitable for Kemp motors. The rated horse-power (75) is developed at a moderate engine speed of 1,200 r.p.m., although it is guaranteed to turn an 8 ft. diameter by 5 ft. pitch pro peller at 1,250 r.p.m. on the test bench, with a corre sponding increase in the air. The weight of the engine complete with magneto, carburettor, &c, is 380 lbs., the weight per h.p. being 47 lbs. The petrol and oil con sumption is 4 gallons 3 quarts per hour respectively. ® ® accident. The young aviator had already been honoured with mention in Army Orders for having made a gallant attack against six German aviators. Dutch Military Aviation. IN the Budget presented to the Dutch Parliament on the 21st ult. funds were asked for by the Minister of War for the requisite extension of both the personnel and matitiel of the Dutch Flying Corps. It is reported from New York that the Dutch Government have ordered twenty military aeroplanes with the Glenn L. Martin Co. of Los Angeles, California. 744
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