A061
DESIGN:
SynchroLite ~ Instrument (Gauges etc.)
Outside Helicopters
Ultrasport
Flight
Airspeed indicator (calibrated in knots)
Altimeter
Magnetic direction indicator
Powerplant
Engine RPM
Rotor RPM
Cylinder head temperature
Elapse time
Oil dipstick
Low fuel pressure warning (light) for non-gravity fed engines.
Fuel quantity.
Transmission Chip Detector
Ultrasport 254 has a low rpm horn.
Transmission
Ultrasport 254 has a gearbox chip and thermal detector lights.
Mosquito
Engine tachometer
Rotor tachometer
Airspeed indicator
EGT
CHT
Robinson
Robinson uses 2 Hall effect senders on input shaft to gearbox. One gives the rotor RPM on a gauge, the other is a low speed alarm, at between 90% to 92% RPM it activates a horn.
Posting on Low Rotor RPM:
The R-22 sounds the horn and lights the warning light if the rotor RPM is below 97% AND the collective is not full down. The benefit of doing it like this is that when you are in an auto, if you have the collective all the way down, you don't have to listen to the horn blaring away. If you have the collective all the way down & the RPM is below limits, you have a problem, & need to know it.
Canadian Airworthiness Standards require an Airspeed Indicator, Altimeter, Magnetic Compass, Engine Tachometer, Engine Temperature Indicator.
Bell
SynchroLite
Location of Instruments:
It may be advantageous to mount the gauges in a 'T' shaped brace. The horizontal portion would be a member that connects the mid-points on the two struts that go from nose to top of masts. The vertical portion would be from the mid-point of the horizontal portion down to the tube.
FADEC:
See Control - Power Train
Digital Instrument Panel/Flight Recorder: (alternative)
Because of requirement for duplicity of engine and some power-train gauges it might be an idea to combine them all in a processor & LED display.
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Date: October 18, 1999 12:32 PM
Author: Thomas Sled (tsled@lightspeed.net)
Subject: Rotor Tach Magnets....
A helpfull hint. As was noted in one of the postings, these are self actavating usits so when you mount your magnet or magnets mount them so that when your blades are tied down the magnet/s are NOT over the sensor or elese it might keep your system activated. Visit my web: http://userzweb.lightspeed.net/tsled Tom Sled...10/18 Fuel Mixture Indicators
Probably not required
Fuel:
Fuel tank gauge
Idea - The tanks could have a ramped segment so that when the pilot looks down vertically on tank he can see the amount of fuel remaining.
Location
Consider putting the engine instruments {EGT, CHT] in the same side arm rests?
Idea
If instruments were a "HUD" in helmet or strapped to the pilots leg and there was a quick disconnect, then the allocated weight of 3 pounds could possibly not be included in the 254 pound weight limitation. This might not be acceptable in FAR 103.
Idea re Engine Synchronization:
Could have a guage with centered needle that can move either way. The order and time gap between the firing of the 2 engines determines which way the needle points, and how far.
Idea re Vibration and Weight Limitation:
Use a digital panel for instrument information and strap it to the pilots leg. This will reduce the vibration and make it easier to read [~ source D.K.] Being removable, it might not have to be included in the 254 lb. limitation, or at least be excluded because the guages relate to safety.
Idea re Weight Limitation:
Would it make sense to have one set of engine instruments and have a toggle switch on the cyclic grip that switches between the sensors on the two engines?
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Last Revised: December 28, 2001