We can keep an eye on our homes, set our thermostats to whatever temperature we wish and open our garage doors when we arrive all with the help of a simple app. Artificial intelligence can keep us apprised of everything from our weather to our political climate. We can count our steps and measure our heart rate simply by wearing a watch. Quite frankly, technology has seeped into virtually every aspect of our everyday lives.
The result, for the most part, is a very positive one, making pretty much everything we come into contact with more efficient, more powerful, more durable, more convenient, safer and basically just plain better overall.
The same can be said for the aviation industry. More specifically, the advances that we have made in aircraft cylinder technology is incredible. The advancement of aircraft cylinder technology over the course of history has been vast and largely based on the improvement of materials used for components and processes, as well as mechanical innovations…with the architects of those innovations always remaining mindful that optimal heat dissipation and the limit of mechanical stress are very important contributing factors for extending cylinder life and that of the actual aircraft. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Aircraft Cylinders Over the Course of History
The early 1900s were the very early aircraft development days…a time when exhaust valves – which were used in Wright engines and faced major adjustments for several decades – could be problematic with respect to reliability and durability. This led to experiments with internally cooled valves, where water and mercury were initially utilized for cooling from the head of the valve, to the stem, through the valve guide and into the fins on the cylinder head. The results were far from perfect with water and mercury proving less than ideal conduits for the heat transfer process.
Then came the introduction of sodium compounds for the purpose of heat transfer. These were solid at room temperature and liquid during engine operation. This particular endeavor, which has stood the test of time, was an excellent way to transfer heat and extend the lifespan of the engine.
Now let’s address materials. Believe it or not, aircraft cylinder barrels were first crafted from cast iron. Then came the industrial revolution and with it a shift in the 1920s toward the more optimal use of steel alloys. The most widely used was a chromium-molybdenum alloy that we continue to use to this day.
As steel alloys became available in the 1920s, valves and seats also became more resistant to heat and corrosion. However, highly leaded fuels, which were introduced to increase power, caused more erosion. That is when material created from a combination of cobalt, chromium and tungsten came on the scene and was used as overlay material for the valve seating area and valve seat inserts – proving reliable in large engines.
During WWII, extensive studies were conducted to determine the best shape and material for building piston rings. The result of this effort was greater efficiency through oil controlled rings. Chrome plating was used to recondition cylinders during the war as well. The result was positive for air cooled engines of all sizes.
Next in line was the Wright brothers’ inline engines which evolved into more compact and powerful engines with pairs of cylinders in a V-shape. Aircraft technology continued to advance through the reliable and powerful radial engines with cylinders arranged in a circular fashion around the crankcase; rotary engines appeared on the scene; and efficient air cooled cylinders led to gas turbine engines and piston engines with advanced aircraft cylinder designs and cooling methods.
Aircraft Cylinders Today
Today, the knowledgeable, experienced aircraft cylinder overhaul experts at Moore Performance Products are dedicated to their craft and the clients they serve, further facilitating the innovations of aircraft cylinder technology through the highest quality products, the most advanced processes and unsurpassed mechanical services.
As We Look Toward the Future of Our Aircraft Cylinders
As we rise to the future of aircraft cylinders, the goal is that we take with us the amazing innovations of the past and perfectly meld them with the finely crafted technology of today; and it all starts with professionals possessing an unsurpassed level of commitment to the industry…
A very specific skill set is required for proper aircraft cylinder maintenance and overhaul and the Moore Performance Products aircraft service professionals, having served the aviation industry with exceptional aircraft preventive maintenance and repair service for over 30 years, specialize in aircraft cylinder overhauls and repairs.
Providing a variety of overhaul services nationwide and overseas for the aircraft and aerospace industries, the experienced and highly trained team at Moore Performance Products is wholly committed to each and every one of its clients – from large industrial corporations and government entities to private aircraft owners.
Moore Performance Products is a trusted aircraft service provider with an excellent reputation and has been family owned and operated since 1995. What that means to its customers is exceptional service and attention to detail, an unsurpassed commitment to high quality products and the ultimate customer satisfaction – with a finished product that is ALWAYS 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Additionally, Moore Performance Products is a Federal Aviation Administration-certified repair station and Federal Aviation Administration-certified in welding, ensuring that every aircraft it services is repaired and overhauled to the exact specifications required.
For more information about Aircraft Cylinder Overhaul and Repair
Given the critical nature of aircraft cylinder service and maintenance, finding the right service provider is paramount. Moore Performance Products is conveniently located at 132 W. Park Avenue, Building 1 in Edgewater Florida and can be reached by phone by calling 386-409-7501 or 888-409-7555 anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
