What Is The Aircraft Engine Oil System and How Does It Work?
Modern aircraft engines are powerful apparatuses, capable of compressing, mixing, and combusting fuel-and-air mixtures for the means of generating the propulsive force necessary for forward momentum and lift. With fuel-and-air combustion comes large amounts of intensive heat, that of which is expelled from the engine exhaust section to protect the assembly from extreme temperatures and pressures. While effective, some heat will still traverse to other sections of the engine, potentially leading to hazards if not combated. As such, aircraft utilize their engine oil system to help cool cylinders and other components. While this serves for optimal thermal management, engine oil also has the added benefit of lubrication, contamination removal, and more.
For aircraft with reciprocating engines, either a wet-sump or dry-sump oil system will be present. With a wet-sump, the oil will be situated within a sump that is an integral element of the engine assembly. On the other hand, dry-sump systems will have the oil contained within a separate tank where oil is supplied to the engine through the use of pumps. Nevertheless, wet-sump systems still heavily rely on oil pump equipment, using them to draw oil and route it around the engine.
Once the oil is used for lubrication and cooling, it is brought back to the sump. For a dry-sump system to return used oil after it has passed through the engine assembly, scavenge pumps are relied on. While both systems perform the same basic role, there are some differences. For example, dry-sump systems are known for being able to supply engines with a greater volume of oil overall. Because of this, they are better suited for larger reciprocating engines that have greater demands.
During operations, one can utilize the oil pressure gauge situated in the cockpit to monitor oil system operational characteristics. Measurements of pressure are provided in terms of pounds per square inch (psi), and the dial will show operational ranges that are important to be familiar with. When measurements fall within the green range, one is operating in normal conditions. Meanwhile, two sets of red ranges will be shown to indicate when minimum and maximum pressures are reached.
Another important gauge is the oil temperature gauge, that of which measures the temperature of oil supplies. Similar to the pressure gauge, the temperature gauge has green and red ranges to denote safe and hazardous operating conditions. As compared to oil pressure, oil temperatures change much more slowly, yet it is still important to monitor such conditions for safety. Oftentimes, temperature changes will be a result of clogged oil lines, low oil quantities, blocked coolers, or defective measurement equipment.
Due to the importance of the aircraft engine, it is crucial that all assemblies are regularly inspected and maintained to uphold health and integrity. Beyond standard aircraft inspections, one can also conduct their own oil filler cap and dipstick checks and compare oil quantities to manufacturer recommendations to always ensure optimal conditions. If you own or operate an aircraft and are in search of diagnostic tools, replacement parts, aviation components, or other such items, there is no better source than ASAP Aviation Stock for all your operational needs.
ASAP Aviation Stock is a premier purchasing platform for parts of all types, our website hosting over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find products that cater to a diverse set of industry verticals and applications. Take the time to peruse our offerings as you see fit, and note that every listed part is ready for purchase at any time. To request a quote, simply fill out and submit an RFQ form at your earliest convenience, and a member of our staff will respond with a customized solution fit for your needs in just 15 minutes or less.
Share
