Float-type carburetors are among the most widely used fuel metering devices on reciprocating aircraft engines. They use a series of interconnected systems to regulate fuel flow, maintain the proper air-fuel mixture, and provide efficient engine operation throughout the entire operating range.
A float-type carburetor consists essentially of six subsystems that control the quantity of fuel discharged in relation to the flow of air delivered to the engine cylinders. These systems work together to provide the engine with the correct fuel flow throughout all operating ranges.
The essential subsystems of a float-type carburetor are illustrated in Figure 1.
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| Figure 1. A float-type carburetor |
These systems are:
- Float chamber mechanism system,
- Main metering system,
- Idling system,
- Mixture control system,
- Accelerating system, and
- Economizer system.
Float Chamber Mechanism System
A float chamber is provided between the fuel supply and the main metering system of the carburetor. The float chamber, or bowl, serves as a reservoir for fuel in the carburetor. [Figure 2]
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| Figure 2. Float chamber (bowl) with float removed |
This chamber provides a nearly constant level of fuel to the main discharge nozzle which is usually about 1/8 inch below the holes in the main discharge nozzle. The fuel level must be maintained slightly below the discharge nozzle outlet holes to provide the correct amount of fuel flow and to prevent fuel leakage from the nozzle when the engine is not operating.
The level of fuel in the float chamber is kept nearly constant by means of a float-operated needle valve and a seat. The needle seat is usually made of bronze. The needle valve is constructed of hardened steel, or it may have a synthetic rubber section which fits the seat.
With no fuel in the float chamber, the float drops toward the bottom of the chamber and allows the needle valve to open wide. As fuel is admitted from the supply line, the float rises (floats in the fuel) and closes the needle valve when the fuel reaches a predetermined level.
When the engine is running, and fuel is being drawn out of the float chamber, the valve assumes an intermediate position so that the valve opening is just sufficient to supply the required amount of fuel and keep the level constant. [Figure 1] If fuel is found leaking from the discharge nozzle of the carburetor when the engine is not running, the most likely cause is that the float needle valve and seat are leaking and need to be replaced.
With the fuel at the correct level (float chamber), the discharge rate is controlled accurately by the air velocity through the carburetor venturi where a pressure drop at the discharge nozzle causes fuel to flow into the intake airstream. Atmospheric pressure on top of the fuel in the float chamber forces the fuel out the discharge nozzle. A vent or small opening in the top of the float chamber allows air to enter or leave the chamber as the level of fuel rises or falls.
Main Metering System
The main metering system supplies fuel to the engine at all speeds above idling and consists of:
- Venturi,
- Main metering jet,
- Main discharge nozzle,
- Passage leading to the idling system, and
- Throttle valve.
Since the throttle valve controls the mass airflow through the carburetor venturi, it must be considered a major unit in the main metering system as well as in other carburetor systems. A typical main metering system is illustrated in Figure 3.
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| Figure 3. Main metering system |
The venturi performs three functions:
- Proportions the air-fuel mixture,
- Decreases the pressure at the discharge nozzle, and
- Limits the airflow at full throttle.
The fuel discharge nozzle is located in the carburetor barrel so that its open end is in the throat or narrowest part of the venturi. A main metering orifice, or jet, is placed in the fuel passage between the float chamber and the discharge nozzle to limit the fuel flow when the throttle valve is wide open.
When the engine crankshaft is revolved with the carburetor throttle open, the low pressure created in the intake manifold acts on the air passing through the carburetor barrel. Due to the difference in pressure between the atmosphere and the intake manifold, air flows from the air intake through the carburetor barrel into the intake manifold. The volume of airflow depends upon the degree of throttle opening.
As the air flows through the venturi, its velocity increases. This velocity increase creates a low pressure area in the venturi throat. The fuel discharge nozzle is exposed to this low pressure. Since the float chamber is vented to atmospheric pressure, a pressure drop across the discharge nozzle is created. It is this pressure difference, or metering force, that causes fuel to flow from the discharge nozzle. The fuel comes out of the nozzle in a fine spray, and the tiny particles of fuel in the spray quickly vaporize in the air.
The metering force (pressure differential) in most carburetors increases as the throttle opening is increased. The fuel must be raised in the discharge nozzle to a level at which it discharges into the airstream. To accomplish this, a pressure differential of 0.5 "Hg is required. When the metering force is considerably reduced at low engine speeds, the fuel delivery from the discharge nozzle decreases if an air bleed (air metering jet) is not incorporated in the carburetor.
The decrease in fuel flow in relation to airflow is due to two factors:
- The fuel tends to adhere to the walls of the discharge nozzle and break off intermittently in large drops instead of forming a fine spray.
- A part of the metering force is required to raise the fuel level from the float chamber level to the discharge nozzle outlet.
The Air Bleed Principle
The basic principle of the air bleed can be explained by simple diagrams, as shown in Figure 4.
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| Figure 4. Air bleed principle |
In each case, the same degree of suction is applied to a vertical tube placed in the container of liquid. As shown in A, the suction applied on the upper end of the tube is sufficient to lift the liquid a distance of about 1 inch above the surface. If a small hole is made in the side of the tube above the surface of the liquid, as in B, and suction is applied, bubbles of air enter the tube and the liquid is drawn up in a continuous series of small slugs or drops. Thus, air bleeds into the tube and partially reduces the forces tending to retard the flow of liquid through the tube.
However, the large opening at the bottom of the tube effectively prevents any great amount of suction from being exerted on the air bleed hole or vent. Similarly, an air bleed hole that is too large in proportion to the size of the tube would reduce the suction available to lift the liquid. If the system is modified by placing a metering orifice in the bottom of the tube and air is taken in below the fuel level by means of an air bleed tube, a finely divided mixture of air and liquid is formed in the tube, as shown in C.
In a carburetor, a small air bleed is bled into the fuel nozzle slightly below the fuel level. The open end of the air bleed is in the space behind the venturi wall where the air is relatively motionless and at approximately atmospheric pressure. The low pressure at the tip of the nozzle not only draws fuel from the float chamber but also draws air from behind the venturi.
Air bled into the main metering fuel system decreases the fuel density and destroys surface tension. This results in better vaporization and control of fuel discharge, especially at lower engine speeds. The throttle, or butterfly valve, is located in the carburetor barrel near one end of the venturi. It provides a means of controlling engine speed or power output by regulating the airflow to the engine. This valve is a disc that can rotate on an axis, so that it can be turned to open or close the carburetor air passage.
Idling System
With the throttle valve closed at idling speeds, air velocity through the venturi is so low that it cannot draw enough fuel from the main discharge nozzle; in fact, the spray of fuel may stop altogether. However, low pressure (piston suction) exists on the engine side of the throttle valve. In order to allow the engine to idle, a fuel passageway is incorporated to discharge fuel from an opening in the low pressure area near the edge of the throttle valve. [Figure 5]
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| Figure 5. Throttle action in idle position |
This opening is called the idling jet. With the throttle open enough so that the main discharge nozzle is operating, fuel does not flow out of the idling jet. As soon as the throttle is closed far enough to stop the spray from the main discharge nozzle, fuel flows out the idling jet.
A separate air bleed, known as the idle air bleed, is included as part of the idling system. It functions in the same manner as the main air bleed. An idle mixture adjusting device is also incorporated. A typical idling system is illustrated in Figure 6.
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| Figure 6. Idling system |
Mixture Control System
As altitude increases, the air becomes less dense. At an altitude of 18,000 feet, the air is only half as dense as it is at sea level. This means that a cubic foot of space contains only half as much air at 18,000 feet as at sea level. An engine cylinder full of air at 18,000 feet contains only half as much oxygen as a cylinder full of air at sea level.
The low pressure area created by the venturi is dependent upon air velocity rather than air density. The action of the venturi draws the same volume of fuel through the discharge nozzle at a high altitude as it does at a low altitude. Therefore, the fuel mixture becomes richer as altitude increases. This can be overcome either by a manual or an automatic mixture control.
On float-type carburetors, two types of purely manual or flight deck controllable devices are in general use for controlling air-fuel mixtures, the needle type and the back-suction type. [Figures 7 and 8]
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| Figure 7. Needle-type mixture control system |
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| Figure 8. Back-suction-type mixture control system |
Needle-Type Mixture Control
With the needle-type system, manual control is provided by a needle valve in the base of the float chamber. [Figure 7] This can be raised or lowered by adjusting a control in the flight deck. Moving the control to “rich,” opens the needle valve wide, which permits the fuel to flow unrestricted to the nozzle. Moving the control to “lean,” partially closes the valve and restricts the flow of fuel to the nozzle.
Back-Suction-Type Mixture Control
The back-suction-type mixture control system is the most widely used. [Figure 8] In this system, a certain amount of venturi low pressure acts upon the fuel in the float chamber so that it opposes the low pressure existing at the main discharge nozzle. An atmospheric line, incorporating an adjustable valve, opens into the float chamber.
When the valve is completely closed, pressures on the fuel in the float chamber and at the discharge nozzle are almost equal, and fuel flow is reduced to maximum lean. With the valve wide open, pressure on the fuel in the float chamber is greatest and fuel mixture is richest. Adjusting the valve to positions between these two extremes controls the mixture. The quadrant in the flight deck is usually marked “lean” near the back end and “rich” at the forward end. The extreme back position is marked “idle cutoff” and is used when stopping the engine.
On float carburetors equipped with needle-type mixture control, placing the mixture control in idle cutoff seats the needle valve, thus shutting off fuel flow completely. On carburetors equipped with back-suction mixture controls, a separate idle cutoff line, leading to the extreme low pressure on the engine side of the throttle valve, is incorporated. (See the dotted line in Figure 8.)
The mixture control is so linked that when it is placed in the “idle cutoff” position, it opens another passage that leads to piston suction. When placed in other positions, the valve opens a passage leading to the atmosphere. To stop the engine with such a system, close the throttle and place the mixture in the “idle cutoff” position. Leave the throttle in the closed position until the engine has stopped running and then open the throttle completely.
Accelerating System
When the throttle valve is opened quickly, a large volume of air rushes through the air passage of the carburetor; the amount of fuel that is mixed with the air is less than normal due to the slow response rate of the main metering system. As a result, after a quick opening of the throttle, the air-fuel mixture leans out momentarily. This can cause the engine to accelerate slowly or stumble as it tries to accelerate.
To overcome this tendency, the carburetor is equipped with a small fuel pump called an accelerating pump. A common type of accelerating system used in float carburetors is illustrated in Figure 9.
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| Figure 9. Accelerating system |
It consists of a simple piston pump operated through linkage by the throttle control and a passageway opening into the main metering system or the carburetor barrel near the venturi. When the throttle is closed, the piston moves back, and fuel fills the cylinder.
If the piston is pushed forward slowly, the fuel seeps past it back into the float chamber; if pushed rapidly, it sprays fuel in the venturi and enriches the mixture. An example of a cutaway accelerator pump is shown in Figure 10.
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| Figure 10. Accelerating pump shown in cutaway |
Economizer System
For an engine to develop maximum power at full throttle, the fuel mixture must be richer than for cruise. The additional fuel is used for cooling the engine combustion chambers to prevent detonation. An economizer is essentially a valve that is closed at throttle settings below approximately 60–70 percent of rated power. This system, like the accelerating system, is operated by the throttle control.
A typical economizer system consists of a needle valve which begins to open when the throttle valve reaches a predetermined point near the wide-open position. [Figure 11]
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| Figure 11. A needle-valve type economizer system |
As the throttle continues to open, the needle valve is opened further and additional fuel flows through it. This additional fuel supplements the flow from the main metering jet direct to the main discharge nozzle.
A pressure-operated economizer system is shown in Figure 12.
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| Figure 12. A pressure operated economizer system |
This type has a sealed bellows located in an enclosed compartment. The compartment is vented to engine manifold pressure. When the manifold pressure reaches a certain value, the bellows is compressed and opens a valve in a carburetor fuel passage, supplementing the normal quantity of fuel being discharged through the main nozzle.
Another type of economizer is the back-suction system. [Figure 13]
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| Figure 13. Float-type carburetor |
Fuel economy in cruising is provided by reducing the effective pressure acting on the fuel level in the float compartment. With the throttle valve in cruising position, suction is applied to the float chamber through an economizer hole and back-suction economizer channel and jet. The suction applied to the float chamber opposes the nozzle suction applied by the venturi. Fuel flow is reduced, leaning the mixture for cruising economy.
Another type of mixture control system uses a metering valve that is free to rotate in a stationary metering sleeve. Fuel enters the main and idling systems through a slot cut in the mixture sleeve.
Fuel metering is accomplished by the relative position between one edge of the slot in the hollow metering valve and one edge of the slot in the metering sleeve. Moving the mixture control to reduce the size of the slot provides a leaner mixture for altitude compensation.