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GregP 10-04-2005 01:56 PM

Small diesel engines ???
 
Ok world wide knowledge base, I need to find some candidate 3HP diesel engines. It will be going into a helicopter so "light" is a key factor, followed by reliability and no-fuss starting. Air cooled preferred, but will look at water cooled if I can handle the radiator weight.

-Greg

jordy 10-04-2005 02:08 PM

Re: Small diesel engines ???
 
Light and diesel don't really go together very well. Yanmar would be a good small diesel candidate. I've got a spec sheet and they make a 4hp (L48EE) air cooled engine that makes it's power at 3600rpm. Dry weight is 26.5kg with a pull start. That's right around 58 pounds plus fuel and oil.

GregP 10-04-2005 02:18 PM

Re: Small diesel engines ???
 
Yes, most small diesels are much too heavy. I need the weight to be around 10-12 lbs for the base engine w/o starter.

Thanks - Greg

jordy 10-04-2005 02:21 PM

Re: Small diesel engines ???
 
10-12 lbs? You're almost going to be stuck in the realm of some kind of 2 stroke weed whacker or chainsaw engine or something along those lines. Good luck though.

CigDaze 10-04-2005 02:23 PM

Re: Small diesel engines ???
 
Why not a microturbine? It's the only way you'll get the power to weight ratio you're looking for reliably.

CigDaze 10-04-2005 02:27 PM

Re: Small diesel engines ???
 
http://www.wren-turbines.com/turboprop.htm
7.1HP at only 3.52 pounds. :)

Helicopters:
http://www.wren-turbines.com/Helicopters.htm

GregP 10-04-2005 02:31 PM

Re: Small diesel engines ???
 
Started by looking at model aircraft diesels, but they don't go big enough (only about 1.5 HP) and aren't really reliable enough.

We have some of the micro-turbines and are looking at them, but the sfc is the pits (about 2.7#/HP-hr).

In the past we have worked with companies like Sonnex and UEL to convert gas/spark engines to heavy fuel (diesel) but none of them really fit this application.

If it was easy I wouldn't have had to invoke such a large support base to find a solution :D

Thanks - Greg

CigDaze 10-05-2005 08:11 AM

Re: Small diesel engines ???
 
Ya, I can understand the fuel consumption aspect. The unit in my link above consumes about 3.62 #/HP-Hr, but that's at wide-open making 7.1 horsepower. If you only need 3HP, the smaller turbine consumes about 2.1 #/HP-hr. Probably still too much. Tough project.

Your next best bet is a small Ion Generator fueling a dispersive high-energy rotary powerplant. (I might just have to go patent that).

;) :D


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