Subject: Prop ? (spinner bulkhead really)
From: Rotary Engine
Date: 4/30/2008, 8:32 AM
To: AAA Put this in the To box


>  Hi Brian,
>  Something didn't sound right about sandwiching ANYTHING between the
>  prop flange and the drive flange, so I went out to my workshop and
>  looked at my Hartzel props. Sure enough the spinner bulkhead is
> attached
>  to the OD (outside diameter) of the prop flange. Its an elaborate setup
>  but, the bottom line is there is DIRECT CONTACT of the prop flange and
>  the drive flange, no bulkhead, no RTV, no aluminum disks, no carbon
>  fiber or fiberglass. I have 2 props --a 2 blade & a 3 blade-- both are
>  done the same. Hope this helps. Dave M
>
>  >Dave,
>
>  >Would it be possible to send a photo?
>
>  >Thanks,
>
>  >Brian Trubee
>
> Hi Brian,
> Photo would not show much. Take a look at the attached sketch. It's not
> to scale but all the parts are there. If you need sizes or more info
> just shout. Dave M
>
> My Spitfire came with the Spinner and a front and rear flange. Showing
> the rear flange between the prop and prop hub, the front on front of the
> prop. Prop bolts holding all this together. Is this an improper
> installation?
>
> Bob Mears
>
> The smaller three rotor torque pulse is a positive while the additional
> average torque is a negative. What is the back plate made out of? If
> aluminum
> you will probably be OK.
>
> Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.
>
>
> Hi Bob,
> The two flange faces in contact are constantly fretting against one
> another. This action tries to pulverize everything in between. It will
> beat the epoxy in a composite to dust leaving only the carbon fiber
> (because it's harder than either aluminum surface) then the prop bolts
> are loose then the prop is allowed movement and so on to self
> destruction. Paul's correct on the aluminum. Hopefully it's an alloy
> similar to either or both flanges. As a reference, prop extensions,
> commonly used on piston engines up to O-360's, are machined from solid
> bar stock of 2024 T-351, but also notice that the extender bolts to the
> drive flange, then the prop bolts to the extender -- the extender is not
> sandwiched in place as a loose piece. Also be very careful to follow
> your designers torque requirements exactly- both in pattern sequence and
> re-torque frequency. BTW: Wood props don't suffer any of this because
> wood has no memory (as long as you don't crush fibers, it doesn't
> remember it was cycled, as opposed to aluminum or composite which will
> cycle fatigue at some point in time. The design &/or material simply
> determine the time of failure, ie. TBO). Ahh, but beware of the crack in
> your varnish on that beautiful wooden masterpiece. Dave M
>
>
> both plates are aluminum
>
> Bob Mears
>


 Hi Guys;

 My Lyc 0-360 has a Hartzell constant speed with a steel hub and has two
 items between the prop hub and the crank flange. It has a phenolic disc and
 a cast aluminum disc that has a pulley for the alternator belt cast in and
 has the starter ring gear at the rear and the outer edge has the spinner
 attach screws. Why the phenolic disc I don't know. Heat insulator or a high
 frequency vibration damper? The Crank flange has six steel threaded
bushings
 that the prop bolts screw into,. four of which are longer and extend
through
 the two discs and into the prop hub to drive the prop. The blades with hub
 weigh just north of  70 pounds so it acts as a pretty good flywheel for
 those 90 cubic inch cylinders banging away. The hub is heavily cad plated
 and I put a thin coat of chromate on the crank flange. Never had any
problem
 in many many years.

 Bob


Thanks for the data point, Bob.


Regards,

Matt-


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