Carburetor icing

Carburetor icing

Carburetor (or carburettor) icing is an icing condition which can affect any carburetor under certain atmospheric conditions. While it applies to all carburetors, it is of particular concern in association with piston-powered aircraft, particularly small single-engined light aircraft. Aircraft powered by carbureted engines are equipped with carburetor heat systems to overcome the icing problem.

In cars, carb icing can occasionally be a nuisance. The inlet manifold and parts of the carburetor often have warm water from the cooling system or exhaust circulating through them to combat this problem. Motorcycles can also suffer from carb icing, although some engine designs are more prone to it than others. Air-cooled engines may be more prone to icing.

Carb icing occurs when there is humid air, and the temperature drop in the venturi causes the water vapour to freeze. The ice will form on the surfaces of the carburetor throat, further restricting it. This may increase the venturi effect initially, but eventually restricts airflow, perhaps even causing a complete blockage of the carburetor. Icing may also cause jamming of the mechanical parts of the carburetor, such as the throttle butterfly valve.

For information about when there is a chance of carburetor icing, consult a graph (compiled by the UK Civil Aviation Authority) that can be downloaded here: [http://ibis.experimentals.de/images/carbicingfromcaassl14.gifCarburetor icing chart] .

ee also

*Fog
*Dew point
*Carburetor heat
*Fuel injection


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • carburetor icing — The most common form of engine icing, which is caused by a sudden drop in temperature resulting from vaporization of the fuel and adiabatic cooling following the pressure reduction as the air accelerates through the venturi of the carburetor. The …   Aviation dictionary

  • carburetor icing — The formation of ice on the throttle plate or valve during certain atmospheric conditions. As the fuel nozzles feed fuel into the air horn it turns to a vapor. This robs heat from the air and when weather conditions are just right (fairly cool… …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • Carburetor heat — Carburetor, carburettor, carburator, carburettet heat (usually abbreviated to carb heat ) is a system used in automobile and piston powered light aircraft engines to prevent or clear carburetor icing. It consists of a moveable flap which draws… …   Wikipedia

  • Icing conditions — In aviation, icing conditions are those atmospheric conditions that can lead to the formation of water ice on the surfaces of an aircraft, or within the engine as carburetor icing. Inlet icing is another engine related danger, often occurring in… …   Wikipedia

  • icing — A condition where ice forms at the edge of the carburetorthrottle plate/butterfly. It restricts the flow of the fuel air mixture when the throttle butterfly is at or near the idle position. It causes the engine to stall. Ice forms because of… …   Dictionary of automotive terms

  • Robinson R22 — Infobox Aircraft name=Robinson R22 caption= type=Light utility and trainer helicopter manufacturer=Robinson Helicopter Company designer=Frank Robinson first flight=1975 introduced=1979 retired= status= primary user= more users= produced= number… …   Wikipedia

  • gasoline — gasolineless, adj. gasolinic /gas euh lee nik, lin ik/, adj. /gas euh leen , gas euh leen /, n. a volatile, flammable liquid mixture of hydrocarbons, obtained from petroleum, and used as fuel for internal combustion engines, as a solvent, etc.… …   Universalium

  • Convair B-36 — B 36 redirects here. For other meanings, see B36 (disambiguation). B 36 Peacemaker The B 36D used both piston and jet engines …   Wikipedia

  • Chevrolet Corvair — 1965 Chevrolet Corvair Corsa Hardtop Coupe Manufacturer Chevrolet Division of General Motors Production 1959–1969 …   Wikipedia

  • Dew point — The dew point is the temperature to which a given parcel of humid air must be cooled, at constant barometric pressure, for water vapor to condense into liquid water. The condensed water is called dew when it forms on a solid surface. The dew… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”