Supercharging systems in small aircraft diesel common rail engines derived from the automotive field

Common rail automotive diesels are always turbocharged. This engine works at limited altitude and should output torque at low rotational speeds. Not so for engines that work coupled to propeller and fans. This is the case of aircraft and helicopter engines. In this case it is important to have high output power at high rpm and to keep throttle authority and power as high as possible. Some basic concepts to achieve this result are introduced in this paper. Single turbocharging systems are introduced and an option to improve the altitude performance is discussed. Far from being exhaustive, this paper is an initial step in the long and awkward technology of aircraft common rail diesels. The basic combustion principles and the basic concepts for efficiency are also discussed. © 2006-2015 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN).