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File D 52.45 / 74 McCOOK FIELD REP ORT, SERIAL No . 1676

AIR SERVICE INFORMATION CIRCULAR

(AVIATION)

PUBLISHED BY THE CHIEF OF AIR SERVICE, WASHINGTON, D. C.

Vol. III October 1, 1921 No. 289

CO,MPARATIVE EFFECT ON
ENGINE OPERATION IN FLIGHT
OF OUTSIDE AND INSIDE AIR INTAKES

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Prepared by Engineering Division, Air Service
McCook Field, Dayton, Ohio
July 12, 1921

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COMPARATIVE EFFECT ON ENGINE OPERATION IN

FLIGHT OF OUTSIDE AND INSIDE AIR INTAKES.
--- ___,,,-
OBJECT OF TEST. DESCRIPTION OF INTAKES.
This test was made to determine the effect on the engine A vertical air scoop used with an NAD~6 carburetor on
operation in flight when taking the carburetor air from a Model " H" Hispano-Suiza engine was opened ai the
inside the engine cowling. elbow and a short, straight piece of pipe fitted and brazed
to the opening, arranged so that the vertical pipe took the
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. air from the outside, while the straight extension took the
air from the inside of the cowling. Large butterfly
No difference in engine operation when using air from
throttles were installed in each air scoop and, by means of
inside or outside the cowling can be observed. It is con-
a rod, operative from the pilot's cockpit. These throttles
cluded, therefore, that either type of air intake as d esired
were interconnected, so that both air scoops could not be
can be used. The outside air intake is much to be pre-
opened simultaneously. (See Fig. 1.)
ferJ'ed on account of reduced fire risk.
METHOD OF TEST.
INTRODUCTION.
A flight was made to about twenty thousand feet, at
There has been considerable discussion among aero- which altitude, in level flight, the air to the engine was
r nautical engineers as to the relative merits of the outside drawn alternately from the two airscoops. The accelera-
and inside air intakes for airplane engines. The outside tion was also tried with each air supply by rapid opening
air intake, projecting through the engine cowling and cut and closing of the throttle. This was repeated at various
off at an angle of 30° with the center line of the airplane, is lower altitudes, specifically sixteen, twelve, eight, and
standard practice with the Air Service (see Fig. 1). This four thousand feet. The test was made in a two-seater ex-
· type of intake is very important in reducing fire risk and perimental airplane, type XB- lA, and the ground t empera-
insuring a supply of fresh air to the carburetors at all times. ture was approximately 89° F.
It has been contended by some engineers, however, that
engine operation would be greatly improved, especially RESULTS.
at the higher altitudes, by taking warm air from inside No difference in engine operation, as indicated by
the cowling, back of the radiator. It is claimed that this engine r-evolutions per minute or acceleration, could be
method also has the advantage of taking the carburetor air noted with eithar type of air intake. It is possible that
from an undistrubed location, rather than from a high warming the air to the carburetors may be of advantage in
velocity slipstream. This tesC was undertaken to deter- cold weather at low altitudes, but, due to the increased
mine whether or not the inside air intake possessed these fire risk caused by the inside air intake, it is not recom-
possible advantages. mended for this purpose.
66783-21 (3)

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SKETt:H OF COMBINED l/'15/0E RND

OUT5IDE /?12 SCOOP.

I I ENGi/YE COWLll'IQ H - - - ---- -~-------

COl'ITl?OL ROD TO COCk P/T

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