Thielert Centurion

Last updated

Centurion
Thielert Centurion 4.0 f.jpg
Thielert Centurion 4.0
Type Aircraft Diesel engine
Manufacturer Thielert
Major applications Diamond DA42 Twin Star

The Thielert Centurion is a series of diesel cycle aircraft engines for general aviation originally built by Thielert, which was bought by Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Tecnify Motors subsidiary and is currently marketed by Continental Motors. [1] They are based on heavily modified Mercedes-Benz automotive engines.

Contents

Design

All Centurion engines are water-cooled, turbocharged, and employ a single-lever power control (SLPC) associated with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC). This simplifies engine management for the pilot, as well as improving reliability as it prevents the engine being operated improperly. The series utilizes either jet fuel or diesel fuel. The high compression ratio of the engine combined with the digitally controlled fuel injection system mirrors similar advances in automotive technology.[ citation needed ]

Centurion series engines are always fitted with constant speed propellers which allow the engine to be operated at optimum speed at all times. However, the normal operating speed is too high for any suitable propeller and so the propeller is driven through a reduction gearbox. The constant speed propeller and reduction gear result in a propeller tip speed that is 10-15% lower than comparable conventional avgas engines, reducing propeller noise.[ citation needed ]

The diesel engine's high compression results in better fuel efficiency and the higher operating rpm of the Centurion allows higher power to be developed from a smaller displacement, in comparison to conventional aircraft piston engines (i.e. engines that require leaded aviation gasoline with a very high octane rating).[ citation needed ]

A Centurion engine complete with constant speed unit (CSU), reduction gearbox, turbocharger and FADEC engine management system is considerably heavier than the more conventional Continental and Lycoming engines which it competes against. However, this weight disadvantage is compensated for by the Centurion's lower fuel consumption. Even though they lack the magnetos and spark plugs of conventional petrol (gas) piston engines, Centurion engines are considerably more complex.[ citation needed ] [2]

Variants

Centurion 1.7 installation in a Diamond DA42 DiamondDA-42TwinStarN131TSThielertEngineDetail.jpg
Centurion 1.7 installation in a Diamond DA42
Centurion 1.7 (TAE 125-01)
The first product introduced by Thielert, a 1689 cm³ (103 in³) engine producing 135 PS (99 kW) is an inline-four engine based on the Mercedes-Benz OM668 from Mercedes-Benz A-Class A 170 CDI (W168) with 80 mm bore and 84 mm stroke.
The engine produces more power than a Lycoming O-320 above 4,000 ft, can maintain 93 kW (125 hp) till FL120, and burns 17.5 L/h (4.6 US gal/h) in cruise at FL175 for 72 kW (97 hp): 0.194 kg/kWh (0.319 lb/(hp⋅h)). [3]
More than 1,500 Centurion 1.7s had been built until the end of 2006 when it was replaced by the Centurion 2.0. The in-service record of the 1.7 has been poor.[ citation needed ]
A combination of design, service and support issues caused widespread customer dissatisfaction. [4]
Diamond then designed its own Austro Engines as an alternative to Thielert.
The engines were later marketed as the CD-135 by Continental Engines and produced in St. Egidien, Germany before being granted final assembly in Fairhope, Alabama for the U.S. retrofit market in 2015. [5]
Centurion 2.0 Centurion20.jpg
Centurion 2.0
Centurion 2.0 - Continental CD-135 (TAE 125-02-99)
Introduced in late 2006. The main difference is a new Mercedes-Benz OM640 engine cylinder block from the Mercedes-Benz A 200 CDI (W169) with a displacement of 1991 cm3 (Ø83 x 92 mm). Other improvements include a more compact FADEC, a lighter cast gearbox housing, interfaces for glass cockpits and a new service tool that allows the FADEC to be programmed in the field. Dimensions of the Centurion 2.0 and 1.7 are nearly identical and the install kits are compatible, so a 1.7 at the end of its life can be replaced with a 2.0. The Centurion 2.0 is rated for a power output of 135 PS (99 kW), the same as the 1.7, but is EASA and FAA certified for 155 PS (114 kW). It has accumulated more than 1,000,000 flight hours without mechanical failures as of April 2008.
Centurion 2.0 S (TAE 125-02-114)
This 4-cylinder turbodiesel common rail direct injection with redundant FADEC control offers 155 PS (114 kW) providing a significant power increase compared to the 135 PS (99 kW) Centurion 2.0 for no additional weight. [6] [7] An engine kit may cost $89,000. [2]
Centurion 3.0
Certified 20 June 2017 by Technify Motors GmbH (application: 19 December 2013), 2987 cm³ V6 four stroke Diesel piston engine with common rail high pressure direct fuel injection, turbocharger, 1:1.66 gearbox and electronic engine control unit. 980 mm Length × 700 mm Height × 790 mm Width, 265 kg dry, 221 kW (300 HP) for 5 min, 202 kW (272 HP) maximum continuous, both at 3880 rpm (2340 prop rpm). [8] It has the same dimensions as the Mercedes-Benz OM642.
Centurion 3.2
Intended to fill the gap between the Centurion 2.0 and the 4.0 and designed to produce 230 hp (172 kW). Development is largely complete, but the project is on hold.[ citation needed ]
A Centurion 4.0 on display Thielert Centurion 4.0 vr.jpg
A Centurion 4.0 on display
Centurion 4.0
The 75° V8 DOHC 4 valves per cylinder was initially equipped with two turbochargers and weighed 283.5 kg (625 lb) dry for 228 kW max (310 hp) till FL80 at 2300 rpm at the propeller, and 176 kW (250 hp) in cruise for 29.5 L (7.8 US gal)/h and 25 L (6.6 US gal)/h at best economy, for 208 g/kW/h (0.342 lb/hp/h). It was planned for a production of 600 per year. [3]
Designed as a larger engine to replace the 300 hp (224 kW) gasoline engines and developed from the Mercedes-Benz OM629 automobile engine, it produced 350 hp (261 kW) later with a larger single turbocharger.
After the insolvency of Thielert in April 2008 all work on the Centurion 4.0 was frozen.[ citation needed ]
Continental CD-155
Is the Continental Motors, Inc. brand name of the Centurion 2.0S with 155 PS (114 kW). [9] The engine must be replaced every 2,100 hours, the gearbox has to be replaced for an inspection at 900 hours, the high-pressure pump has a life limit of 600 hours, the alternator of 600 hours, friction disk of 900 hours, V-ribbed belt of 1,200 hours, alternator excitation battery of 12 months. Fuel, oil, and cooling lines are replaced at 60 months [10] except for the Robin DR400 where these items are 'on condition' with no set life-limit. The dual mass flywheel, which is intended to have the same life as the engine, is tested in-situ at 1,200 hours.
TAE 125-02-125 (Continental CD-170)
A four-cylinder, liquid-cooled 125 kW (168 hp) diesel engine with FADEC, dual overhead camshafts and a common rail direct fuel injection system, weighing 156 kg (344 lb) and certified by the EASA on 22 July 2020. In September 2020 the Tecnam P2010 TDI was launched with the CD170 as its powerplant. [11]
Continental CD-300
The Continental brand name of the six cylinder 3 liter Thielert Diesel, with an output of 300 hp (224 kW) at 2300 rpm. [12] The CD-300 should replace the Safran/SMA diesel engine for the five-seat, single-engine Diamond DA50 from the third quarter of 2020 after a first flight of the combination on 22 March 2019, with a cruise fuel burn of 34.8 L/h (9.2USgal/h). [13] FAA certification was granted on 25 July 2023. [14]

Applications

Centurion 1.7

CD135, CD155 & CD170 (Centurion 2.0)

Centurion 3.2

Centurion 4.0

Continental CD-155

See also

Comparable engines

Related lists

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 172</span> Propeller driven single engine aircraft

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing, fixed-wing aircraft made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. First flown in 1955, more 172s have been built than any other aircraft. It was developed from the 1948 Cessna 170 but with tricycle landing gear rather than conventional landing gear. The Skyhawk name was originally used for a trim package, but was later applied to all standard-production 172 aircraft, while some upgraded versions were marketed as the Cutlass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 206</span> American light aircraft

The Cessna 205, 206 and 207, known primarily as the Stationair, are a family of single-engined, general aviation aircraft with fixed landing gear, used in commercial air service as well as for personal use. The family was originally developed from the popular retractable-gear Cessna 210 and produced by the Cessna Aircraft Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Technify Motors</span> German aircraft engine manufacturer

Technify Motors GmbH is an aircraft Diesel engine manufacturer based in Sankt Egidien, Germany. In July 2013, Chinese state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) acquired the aircraft Diesel engine designs and manufacturing assets of the former Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH and added them to the Continental Motors Group as Technify Motors GmbH. The 5,000th engine was delivered in April 2017 after 15 years of production, accumulating more than 5.25 million flying hours and equipping over 2,750 aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes-Benz OM617 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The OM617 engine family is a straight-5 diesel automobile engine from Mercedes-Benz used in the 1970s and 1980s. It is a direct development from the straight-4 OM616. It was sold in vehicles from 1974 to 1991. The OM617 is considered to be one of the most reliable engines ever produced with engines often reaching over 1,000,000 km (620,000 mi) without being rebuilt and is one of the key reasons for Mercedes' popularity in North America in the 1980s, as it was powerful and reliable compared to other automotive diesels of the time. It is also a very popular choice for the use of alternative fuels, mainly straight or waste vegetable oil and biodiesel, although the use of these fuels may cause engine damage over time if not processed properly before use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daimler-Benz DB 603</span> German aircraft engine

The Daimler-Benz DB 603 was a German aircraft engine used during World War II. It was a liquid-cooled 12-cylinder inverted V12 enlargement of the 33.9 Liter DB 601, which was in itself a development of the DB 600. Production of the DB 603 commenced in May 1942, and with a 44.5 liter displacement figure, was the largest displacement inverted V12 aviation engine to be produced and used in front line aircraft of the Third Reich during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cessna 414</span> Pressurized twin-engine general aviation aircraft

The Cessna 414 is an American light, pressurized, twin-engine transport aircraft built by Cessna. It first flew in 1968 and an improved variant was introduced from 1978 as the 414A Chancellor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lycoming O-540</span> Family of flat-six piston aircraft engines

The Lycoming O-540 is a family of air-cooled six-cylinder, horizontally opposed fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter engines of 541.5 cubic inches (8,874 cc) displacement, manufactured by Lycoming Engines. The engine is a six-cylinder version of the four-cylinder Lycoming O-360.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aircraft diesel engine</span> Aircraft engine operating on the Diesel principle

The aircraft diesel engine or aero diesel is a diesel-powered aircraft engine. They were used in airships and tried in aircraft in the late 1920s and 1930s, but were never widely adopted until recently. Their main advantages are their excellent specific fuel consumption, the reduced flammability and somewhat higher density of their fuel, but these have been outweighed by a combination of inherent disadvantages compared to gasoline-fueled or turboprop engines. The ever-rising cost of avgas and doubts about its future availability have spurred a resurgence in aircraft diesel engine production in the early 2010s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond DA42 Twin Star</span> Four seat, twin engine, propeller-driven airplane

The Diamond DA42 Twin Star is a four seat, twin engine, propeller-driven airplane developed and manufactured in Austria and Canada by Diamond Aircraft Industries, an Austrian subsidiary of China-based Wanfeng Aviation. It was Diamond's first twin engine design, as well as the first new European twin-engine aircraft in its category to be developed in over 25 years. In 2004, the DA42 became the first diesel-powered fixed-wing aircraft to perform a non-stop crossing of the North Atlantic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond DA40 Diamond Star</span> Family of light aircraft

The Diamond DA40 Diamond Star is an Austrian four-seat, single-engine, light aircraft constructed from composite materials. Built in both Austria and Canada, it was developed as a four-seat version of the earlier DA20 by Diamond Aircraft Industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond DA50</span> Austrian light aircraft

The Diamond DA50 is a five seat, single-engine, composite aircraft designed and built by Diamond Aircraft Industries. First shown in 2006, it made its maiden flight on 4 April 2007. The project has been proposed to be powered by several different engines, but was certified on 9 September 2020 with the Continental CD-300 diesel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Continental O-240</span> 1970s American aircraft piston engine

The Continental O-240 engine is a four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engine that was developed in the late 1960s for use in light aircraft by Continental Motors, Inc. The first O-240 was certified on 7 July 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Continental IO-550</span> American piston aircraft engine

The Continental IO-550 engine is a large family of 9 liter fuel injected six-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engines that were developed for use in light aircraft by Teledyne Continental Motors. The first IO-550 was delivered in 1983 and the type remains in production.

The Austro Engine E4 is a liquid-cooled, inline, four-cylinder, four-stroke, aircraft diesel engine. The engine is manufactured by Austro Engine, an Austrian-based company and subsidiary of Diamond Aircraft Industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SMA SR305-230</span> 1990s French piston aircraft engine

The SMA SR305-230 is an air/oil-cooled, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder, four-stroke, diesel piston aircraft engine. The engine is manufactured by SMA Engines, and is currently the only product of this French company. The engine is offered as a conversion package for the Cessna 182.

Austro Engine is an Austrian manufacturer of aircraft engines based at Wiener Neustadt in Lower Austria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tecnam P2010</span> Italian light aircraft

The Tecnam 2010 is a four-seat, high wing, single engine light aircraft of mixed metal and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer construction. Designed and built in Italy, it was first presented in public in April 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W202)</span> Car model

Mercedes-Benz W202 is the internal designation for a compact sedan/saloon manufactured and marketed by Mercedes-Benz between 1992–2001, as the first generation of the C-Class, now in its fifth generation. Replacing the 190 series/W201 in June 1993, the C-Class sedan was Mercedes' entry-level model until 1997, when the company launched the A-Class. Production reached 1,847,382 over model years 1994–2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RED A03</span> Aircraft diesel engine

The RED A03 is a V12 four-stroke aircraft diesel engine designed and built by RED Aircraft GmbH of Adenau, Germany.

DieselJet s.r.l. is an aircraft engine manufacturer based in Castel Maggiore, Italy. It was established in 2003 and grown in partnership with the University of Bologna, Forlì Airport ISAERS and Centro Ricerche FIAT (CRF). Lycoming Engines licensed its TDA engines in 2009–2010. Metatron S.p.A., an automotive industry group field manufacturing Compressed natural gas and Liquefied petroleum gas systems, own it since 2011.

References

  1. ↑ "Little diesel big fuel savings". AOPA Pilot: 70. February 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Aero-TV: Doing It Diesel Style -- Glasair's New Diesel Offering" 29 August 2014. Accessed: 3 September 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Development of the CENTURION Jet Fuel Aircraft Engines at TAE" (PDF). April 25, 2003.
  4. ↑ Paul Bertorelli (May 29, 2008). "Thielert's Flawed Economics (And Why the Company Knows It)". AVwebinsider.
  5. ↑ Elaine Kauh (April 16, 2015). "Continental Motors Group To Assemble Diesel Kits In U.S." AvWeb.
  6. ↑ "Featured Engine: Centurion 2.0S". GA Buyer Europe Magazine. December 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Centurion 2.0s – Jet Fuel Piston Engine with 155 hp". Centurion Engines. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  8. ↑ "type certificate data sheet No. E.104" (PDF). EASA. June 20, 2017. Centurion 3.0 series engines. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  9. ↑ Niles, Russ (July 28, 2014). "Textron Introduces Diesel 172". AVweb. Archived from the original on July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  10. ↑ Matt Thurber (November 21, 2018). "Pilot Report: Piper Diesel Archer". AIN online.
  11. ↑ Type Certificate Data Sheets No. E.055 (PDF), EASA, July 22, 2020, archived from the original (PDF) on August 11, 2021, retrieved October 8, 2020
  12. ↑ "Continental Unveils V-6 Diesel - Rebranding Efforts". Sport Aviation: 16. September 2014.
  13. ↑ Kate Sarsfield (April 15, 2019). "Diamond selects Continental CD-300 to power DA50". Flightglobal.
  14. ↑ O'Connor, Kate (July 25, 2023). "Diamond DA50 RG Earns FAA Type Certificate". AVweb. Archived from the original on July 26, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  15. 1 2 Federal Aviation Administration (November 2009). "Supplemental Type Certificate SA01303WI" . Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  16. ↑ "STC for Piper PA". Centurion Engines. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  17. ↑ Tony Osborne (January 24, 2018). "Airbus Preparing To Fly VSR700 Prototype In 2018". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.