P11

A Measure of Health
E371 Turbine Engine Systems
 Engine Indication Systems
Turbine engine systems parameters require constant monitoring and
the instrumentation is provided to inform the pilot of the correct
functioning of the various systems and to warn them of any
impending failure. In modern generation aircraft, many of the
gauges and dials on the pilots instrument panel have been replaced
by one or a number of cathode ray tube(CRT) for displaying engine
parameters.
Traditional gauge and dial system A320 Secondary CRT- A320 Primary
Engine Display Engine Display

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Engine RPM
The rotational speed of the engine is picked up by sensors and
sent to the cockpit indicators, computers and engine monitoring
equipment. N1 for a single spool engine, N1 and N2 for a twin
spool and N1, N2 and N3 for a three spool engine. Refer to the
previous page for the illustration of a twin spool engine.
There are 3 methods of determining the rotational speed of the
engine:
•AC Generation System
•Pulse Probe System
•Mechanical Tachometers
AC Generation System
Engine speed indication is
electrically transmitted from
a small generator(dedicated alternator),
driven by the engine to an indicator that shows the actual revolutions
per minute or a percentage of the maximum engine speed.
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Engine RPM
Pulse Probe System
A variable reluctance speed probe, in conjunction with a phonic
wheel, may be used to induce an electric current that is amplified
and then transmitted to an indicator. This method can be used to
provide an indication of RPM without the need for a separately
driven generator.

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Engine RPM
Mechanical Tachometers
Early Tachometers were of the mechanical type, employing
flyweights on a rotating shaft to produce movement of the indicating
needle. Flyweight tachometers were effective and operated well,
however these instruments were subject to more wear than later
types.

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Engine Pressure Ratio(EPR)
The EPR is the most common measurement of engine
performance, and it also acts as a condition monitoring on turbofan
engines which use N1 speed as their performance indicator.
The EPR is a ratio of the turbine discharge pressure divided by the
compressor inlet pressure and is used as an indication of the
thrust being generated.

For take-off, the pilot uses the

aircraft performance charts to
determine what EPR is required.
The pilot will then set the
reminder bug to the EPR value
required and accelerate until the
pointer meets the bug. After take
off the pilot will then set the EPR
to a cruise setting.

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Engine Pressure Ratio(EPR)
In modern commercial aircraft all computations for EPR is done
automatically using sensors and computers. However the principle
of operation is still the same.

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Exhaust Gas Temperature(EGT)

The gas temperature of a jet

engine is a strong indicator of the
condition of the engine components
e.g. a damaged turbine blade
would result in a high EGT reading.
Gas turbine engines use
thermocouples to measure
temperature. Different engines
measure temperature from different
locations and label them
accordingly.

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Exhaust Gas Temperature(EGT)
Each type of EGT system consists of
several thermocouples spaced at Classic EGT Indicator
intervals around the circumference of
the engine exhaust section casing.

The thermocouple probes are

connected in parallel and arranged
around the engine to sample the
temperature in different locations.
The parallel connection provides an
average temperature reading.

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Engine/Propeller Torque
Engine torque is used to indicate the
power that is developed by a turbo-
propeller engine and the indicator is
known as a torque-meter. The engine
torque or turning moment is
proportional to the horse-power and is
transmitted through the propeller
reduction gear.

A hydro-mechanical torque-meter unit

contains a pilot valve that is under very
little tension at zero torque. Engine oil
is distributed equally to both sides of
the torque-meter indicator resulting in
a zero indication.

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Engine/Propeller Torque
As load increases
on the torsion shaft
(in red) it is twisted
out of alignment with
the main shaft (in blue).
This twisting causes
the helical gear set to
compress and drive the
pilot valve to block off
the flow of engine oil
into the gear case. This,
in turn, causes an
imbalance in the oil flow
to the indicator resulting
in an indication

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Oil Indications
Oil Quantity
The quantity of oil in the tank of a large aircraft
is measured electrically and displayed in the
flight deck in the form of a gauge or display.
The quantity of oil in smaller engine tanks is
determined by a dipstick as shown or by a
sight gauge on the side of the
oil tank. In either case,
markings will indicate
the level of oil in the tank.
In the A320 display shown
in the first slide, the oil
quantity indication is
clearly visible.

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Oil Indications
Oil Temperature
Engine oil temperature sensors are
either a thermocouple or a
resistance bulb. In the resistance
system, a change in the probe
resistance will indicate a change in
the oil temperature.
The sensors can
be located in
either the
pressure or
scavenge side
of the system.

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Oil Indications
Oil Pressure
Oil pressure is a differential
pressure measurement of
engine vent pressure and
engine oil subsystem
pressure. A differential
measurement is required
to give an accurate
indication of actual oil
pressure through the engine.

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Oil Indications
The components of an
oil pressure indicating
system are oil pressure
transmitter and an
indicator. The oil
pressure transmitter
senses oil pressure in
the oil system and also
the ambient or vent
system. The difference
between the 2 pressures
are measured and
converted into an
electrical signal which
actuates the oil pressure indicator. Do take note that the location of
the transmitters are different for various engines
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Fuel Indications
Fuel Temperature & Pressure
The temperature and pressure of low
pressure fuel supply are electrically Fuel Pressure Indication-
transmitted to their respective Low Pressure can indicate
indicators and these are shown if the as a fault
low pressure system is providing an
adequate supply of fuel without
cavitation and at a temperature to suit
the operating conditions.

As shown in the illustration of the A320

aircraft, the fuel temperature and
pressure indication on the flight deck
ECAM page.

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Fuel Indications
Fuel Flow Fuel Used/Fuel Flow Indication
Fuel flow does provide a useful
indication of the satisfactory operation
of the engine and the amount of fuel
being consumed during the flight. A
typical system consists of Classic Fuel Flow
Indicator
a fuel flow transmitter and
an indicator(ECAM-A320)
which shows the total fuel
used in a particular set of
units whether kilograms or
pounds. The transmitter
measures the fuel flow
electrically. Fuel Temperature
Indication

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Vibration Indication
A turbo-jet engine is subject to
vibration monitoring. Many engines Transducer
are fitted with vibration indicators that
continually monitor the vibration level
of an engine.
The purpose of the engine vibration
monitoring system is to provide a
cockpit indication of the state of
balance of the engine main rotating
assemblies during steady state
running conditions. This information
can alert operators to existing or
impending engine problems and assist
in planning engine removal, with
minimum disruption to Aircraft
operation.
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Vibration Indication
A vibration transmitter is mounted on the engine casing and
electrically connected to the amplifier and indicator. The vibration
sensing element is usually an electromagnetic transducer that
converts the rate of vibration into electrical signals and these cause
the indicator pointer to move proportional to the vibration level.
Transmitter/Transducer

Amplifier

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Objectives
1. To understand the purpose of monitoring engine
indications.
2. To know the methods in which engine RPM is
monitored.
3. To know the method in which engine EGT is
monitored.
4. To know how Propeller torque is measured.
5. To understand how fuel temperature and fuel
pressure is measured.
6. To know the significance of engine vibration and how
it is measured.

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END

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