Engine Mounts

        Engine mount is frame structures that support the engine and connect it to the fuselage. Which are designed to distribute the weight of the engine and distribute torque and vibration generated by the engine, Vibration that originated in the reciprocating engine are transmitted through the engine mount to the airplane structure for such mounts engine must be attached with some sort of rubber bushing between the engine and mount attachment to control these vibration. 

Maximum vibration from the engines are controlled when tightened so that the engines move slightly with respect to the rubber bushing which limits in a torsion during operating condition, But at the same time if the bolt are too tight the mount structure will tend to vibrate along engine which would transmitted to Airplane wing and fuselage structure which would be undesirable. To avoid over tighten of bolts the technicians should always refer to the manufacture’s service before tightening such bolts.

Material Used

Engine Mount should withstand waste heat released from the engine and ability to carry heavy engines at temperature of up to 500 ⁰ C base on the requirement three alloys types are used

Nickel-Based alloys: Can withstand high extreme temperature

Titanium alloys:  half the weight of steel, used in the place where the light weight material is needed

Steel alloys: Use at the place where high strength needed at very low temperature.

Based On Aircraft

Light Aircraft - Engine mounts made of welded-steel tubing or aluminium alloy sheet metal.

Turbine powered Aircraft - Engine mounts made of forged metal bolted to airframe.

Design and Types

Engine mounts vary widely in appearance and Construction, but basic features of construction are same. Each aircraft differs from other, heat released from the engine differs base on this criteria each new engine mount should also be unique and to be designed that engine and its accessories should be easy for inspection and maintenance.

Most aircraft which exactly from same manufacturer of the engine shall uses the same mount.

Types

Dynafocal engine mount

Protects the vibration and motion from the engine to be transmitted to aircraft structure, Fixing is based on the centre of gravity of the engine.

Shape: Ring-like

Bolt Point: Usually Four points

 

Conical mount

Conical mount are attached parallel to the firewalls, easy for installation simple and easy to fix to aircraft.

Bolt Point: Usually Four points

Drawbacks: Vibration and Torque are transmitted through the Frames

 

Bed mount

Bed mount are attached under the crankcase, which totally differs from the other type of mount (Conical mount and Dynafocal engine mount), Designed for perfect fitting of the engine avoid transmit vibration to the structure

Bolt Point: Usually Four points in modern aircraft

Vibration is more Danger to Aircraft leads to failure, Engine Mount Helps to avoid some sort of Vibration to be transmitted to Aircraft Structure.

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