Designing a cooling system

[Zoom2136]

Hi guys, I'm building a Cozy IV aircraft (a derivative of the Long EZ by Burt Rutan), and I plan on installing a liquid cooled engine. http://www.cozybuilders.org/

Why am I posting here?

Well you guys are probably among the most knowledgeable people about WWII era fighters that used liquid cooled engines (which is nowadays pretty much a lost art, most GA aircraft being powered by air-cooled piston engine). And also it's a nice change from this plane is uber... bla, bla, bla...

So I'm looking for BF-109 (or other liquid cooled engine fighter (P-51s, Spits, etc.)) pictures, plan, production diagram, etc. that show their radiator and ducting system (inlet construction, form and size of the ducting, radiator position/size, exit construction, etc.).

Regards,

[dduff442]

This little diagram illustrates the channel in the Bf-109F radiator intake designed to draw the turbulent boundary layer airflow away from the radiator itself. It's taken from a US evaluation of the a/c which is on rapidsharehere.

dduff442

[robtek]

You might specialice on the He-100 or the He-177 prototype.
Those planes had a condensation cooling system.
When the water -steam - mix left the engine the water was separated and pumped
back to the water - inlet of the engine.
The separated steam was guided to surface-coolers, which were part of the upper planking of the wings where the lower temperatures (air-press reduction over the wing) helped to condensate the steam.
The condense-water then was brought back to the water - inlet of the engine.
The major point for this system is reduced drag, the malus that it is easily shot doesn't count here, me thinks.

[baronWastelan]

Looks like someone's already done the same project. This is linked from the web site www.cozybuilders.org/

http://www.eaa.org.za/projects/regob

[Skoshi Tiger]

There are a few designs that use high performance auto v8 and v6's modified for use in aircraft.

An Australian company makes scaled down reproductions of Spitfires. They supply optional aluminium radiators, ducting and fixings(including electric cowl flaps).

Check out http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/O...l%20Extras.htm

You never know you may be able adapt it to your project.

Cheers and all the best.

[Thunderbolt56]

Very cool Zoom. I have a total of about 3 hours in a VariEZE from 2 short flights back in the 80's and, as I remember, it was a true pleasure to fly...almost idiot proof (no offense).

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Zoom2136]

Originally Posted by baronWastelan

Looks like someone's already done the same project. This is linked from the web site www.cozybuilders.org/

http://www.eaa.org.za/projects/regob

Yes but with so so results. By the way, I'll be using a mazda 13B turbo charged engine (aviation turbo, not the stock version)

A lot of poeple have installed water cooled engine but most have serious cooling issues. I'm trying to get as much info as possible in order to reduce the risk of ending up with a setup that will not work.

Most of the knowledge surrounding watercooling got lost after WWII, so this is why I'm looking here.

Thanks guys, keep it coming if you have more info, all is very appreciated.

[erco]

No doubt you've contacted your local EAA chapter, or even someone at technical, so assuming that, I'll offer that you can't go wrong lavishly copying the P-51 setup. There's never been a bad word about it; if properly done, it's drag-neutral (or nearly so); and it ought to fit nicely on the bottom of the aft fuselage which should keep the plumbing light and simple. See if you can find someone with a P-51 who'll let you have a close look. Or maybe get in touch with the guys building the Thunder Mustang, they ought to know how to build the Mustang cooling system.

Good Luck!

Post some pictures!

[Zoom2136]

Originally Posted by erco

No doubt you've contacted your local EAA chapter, or even someone at technical, so assuming that, I'll offer that you can't go wrong lavishly copying the P-51 setup. There's never been a bad word about it; if properly done, it's drag-neutral (or nearly so); and it ought to fit nicely on the bottom of the aft fuselage which should keep the plumbing light and simple. See if you can find someone with a P-51 who'll let you have a close look. Or maybe get in touch with the guys building the Thunder Mustang, they ought to know how to build the Mustang cooling system.

Good Luck!

Post some pictures!

I'm a EAA member... Yes the P-51 cooling setup sounds good, and I know of one guy that is building a Long EZ with a 20b that will be using this setup. I'm just looking around to get my hands on additional information (i.e. other planes design).

Regards,

[baronWastelan]

Originally Posted by Zoom2136

Yes but with so so results. By the way, I'll be using a mazda 13B turbo charged engine (aviation turbo, not the stock version)

A lot of poeple have installed water cooled engine but most have serious cooling issues. I'm trying to get as much info as possible in order to reduce the risk of ending up with a setup that will not work.

Most of the knowledge surrounding watercooling got lost after WWII, so this is why I'm looking here.

Thanks guys, keep it coming if you have more info, all is very appreciated.

Pusher with a liquid cooled engine is a proven design -- proven to never have adequate cooling. You could make history and be the 1st one to solve it.

SAAB tried:

A total of 298 SAAB 21s were produced in five production batches. They served from 1946 to 1954.

Series aircraft were not without problems. Because of the propeller's placement, engine cooling proved to be inadequate, especially on the ground - a serious problem that was never really worked out.

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazin...detail_j21.htm