PS-215 Engine
and PSRU-300 Reduction Drive Features
 Powersport Aviation's
215 HP rotary engines and Propeller speed redutction units are in production.
Click on the picture to view an animated GIF of how a rotary engine
operates. The GIF is about 170k in size, so if you have a slow link, please be
patient.
 | Performance Enhancing Features
|
- Custom peripheral air intake port timing and tuned intake tube lengths to maximize power
at 5300 RPM.
- Throttle inside rotor housing for good starting and low RPM performance.
- Less restrictive exhaust for reduction in back pressure.
- Full radius intake bell-mouths.
| Engine Management / Reduction in Fuel Consumption |
- Single-lever power control for engine operation, with optional manual mixture control
available.
- Engine RPM and throttle position mapping for electronic high pressure pulse timed fuel
injection and ignition control .
- Distributor-less coil on spark plug ignition without exposed high tension leads reduces
radio interference.
- Air density compensation for barometric and Temperature changes.
- Engine temperature compensation for easy cold starting.
| Cooling System Capacity Modifications |
- Water and oil cooling system modifications for aircraft duty cycle.
- Spark plug area cooling modifications for combustion stability.
- Oil-to-water cooling for under cowl space optimization reduced cooling drag.
- Increased engine oil pressure for improved lubrication and rotor cooling.
| System Safety/Redundancy |
- 2 Engine Control Units (ECUs) one per rotor.
- 2 Fuel pressure pumps.
- Optional dry-sump lubrication system with remote oil tank for "all-attitude"
operation.
- Custom engine mounts near engine CG using Barry Controls vibration isolators.
- Alternator and 2 battery electrical system provides electrical reserve in case of
alternator failure.
- Dual-belt accessory drive.
- Light-weight 60 amp alternator.
We have received many questions about the capabilities of our Engine Control Unit. We
are integrating a system comprising 2 separate ECU’s with 10 years use in rally car
racing, each with independent engine sensors. The result is essentially two separate
engines sharing the same crankshaft. Because of the rotary engines characteristics the
engine continues to run smoothly with one of the rotors shut down and still develops 100
HP. The ECU’s continuously monitors engine RPM (load), throttle position and
intake air temperature and pressure. The ECU’s then provide optimum ignition
timing and fuel mixture for stoichiometric combustion. An optional mixture control is
available to allow the pilot to adjust the mixture 10% rich or lean from the
stoichiometric value to allow slightly greater power at increased full burn or use
additional leaning for cruise.
Powersport’s rotary engine dynamometer where it underwent additional tuning and
power demonstration testing. We achieved our 215 HP and 450 ft*lbs torque @ at a much
lower 2450 propeller RPM, and exceeding our target of 215 hp at our conservative propeller
RPM limit of 2620. We will be return to the dynamometer in April to complete tuning and
mapping the engine.
Since pilots are more accustom to lower RPM torque numbers
we also show the data converted to Propeller rpm through our 2.29 to 1 reduction drive.
The graph below shows propshaft torque and horsepower as a function of engine RPM.
The at the prop we are pulling 448 lbs.*ft peak torque at 2400 propeller rpm and
215 horsepower at 2620 propeller rpm.
| Max Power |
215 hp |
| Static Thrust |
710 lbs. |
| Propeller Speed at Max Power |
2620 RPM |
| Dry Weight |
265 lbs. (including 2.29:1 gear reduction drive) |
| Coolant |
Water cooled, and oil to water exchanger |
Production Manufacturing
Powersport's PS-215 engine and PSRU-300 reduction drive were designed
using Solid Works 3-dimmensional solid modeling CAD software, and are produced on CNC
machine tools. The solid models of the machined parts are processed using SurfCAM to
generate the tool paths for use in the CNC mills and lathes. The result is
dimensionally perfect, beautifully finished parts that outperfom cast parts in strength,
fit and appearance.
Engine Testing
Powersport Aviation has built an engine test stand that will allow them to
develop up time on the engine, reduction drive and propeller units. The stand includes
sensors and a computer that collects torque and static thrust data from transducers on the
stand and temperature pressure fuel flow ignition timing and other data from the engine.
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