Thomas,
A coolant thermostat makes it easier to control the temperature of the
coolant, but does nothing to help the cooling drag. Trying to control the
cooling drag with a cowl flap makes it difficult to control the coolant
temperature but has a high payback in fuel costs on a plane.
Both of the methods assume that your system is capable of overcooling.
Not so easy to accomplish with a rotary!
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t!
Good luck!
Bill B
From: Rotary motors in aircraft
[mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On
Behalf Of Thomas Mann
Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2009
11:30 AM
To: Rotary
motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re:
Radiator/Oil Cooler Combo
Mark,
I’m going to
investigate that further but first look seems like a winner if it can
handle the BTU loads (which does not seem like an issue.
I like the idea of a
single scoop as well as a single radiator if it can be done. I’m thinking
airflow here.
The P-51 scoop is
supposed to create enough thrust as a result of the heated expanding air
jetting out the back to cancel out 90%+ of the drag created. I never could get
my head around the whole ram-jet theory but that’s the basis.
The other benefit I
see here is the comment provided earlier about the optimum oil and coolant temp
being closer to the 180F range, both of which I could control with my coolant
thermostat.
Like I say, I have
time to work these things out.
T Mann
Have you considered using a Laminova type oil/water
exchanger? They're relatively light, compact, work well, and come in a
variety of sizes.