Guiberson A-1020

A-1020 / T-1020
A T-1020 variant on display
Type Diesel radial engine
National origin United States
Manufacturer Guiberson Diesel Engine Company
Designer Fred A. Thaheld[1]
First run January 1940[2]
Major applications Stinson Reliant

The Guiberson A-1020 is a four-stroke diesel radial engine developed for use in aircraft and tanks.

Design and development

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Development of the Guiberson diesel engine started in the 1930s with the A-918 and A-980 which was first flown in 1931. It is a single-row direct drive nine-cylinder four-cycle engine.[2]

Operational history

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Production A-1020s and T-1020s were designed and sold by Guiberson and produced by Buda Engine Co.[2][3]

Variants

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Guiberson A-918
Rated at 185 hp (138 kW) - one of the initial development models for use on aircraft.[4][5]
Guiberson A-980
Rated at 210 hp (160 kW) - one of the initial development models for use on aircraft.[2][4]
Guiberson A-1020
Rated at 310 hp (230 kW) - production engines for aircraft use.[2][5]
Guiberson T-1020
Rated at 250 hp (190 kW) - for use in light tanks such as the M-3 Stuart[2][6][5]

Applications

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Surviving engines

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A Guiberson A-1020 Diesel radial engine at the Hiller Aviation Museum - San Carlos, California

Specifications (A-1020)

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Data from Aircraft Diesels: Chapter 3 - The Guiberson Diesel[2][5]

General characteristics

  • Type: 9-cylinder air-cooled radial diesel piston engine
  • Bore: 5.125 in (130.18 mm)
  • Stroke: 5.5 in (139.70 mm)
  • Displacement: 1,021 cu in (16.73 L)
  • Length: 38.6 in (980 mm) including starter
  • Diameter: 47.125 in (1,197.0 mm)
  • Dry weight: 653 lb (296 kg)
  • Designer: F. A. Thaheld

Components

  • Valvetrain: two pushrod operated valves per cylinder, with de-compression device for hand-turning or free-wheeling.
  • Fuel system: Guiberson system fuel injection
  • Fuel type: Diesel Index No.50
  • Cooling system: Air-cooled
  • Reduction gear: Direct-drive
    • Eclipse inertia starter or Coffman cartridge starter

Performance

  • Power output: 310 hp (230 kW), continuous at 2,150 rpm at sea level
  • Compression ratio: 15:1
  • Specific fuel consumption: 0.42 lb/(hp⋅h) (0.26 kg/kWh) at 2,150 rpm; 0.382 lb/(hp⋅h) (0.232 kg/kWh) at cruising speed
  • Oil consumption: 0.02 lb/(hp⋅h) (0.012 kg/kWh) at 2,150 rpm
  • Power-to-weight ratio: 0.475 hp/lb (0.781 kW/kg)
    • BMEP 113 psi (780 kPa) at rated output

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Lightplane Diesel". Flying. July 1946.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Wilkinson, Paul H. "Aircraft Diesels: Chapter 3 - The Guiberson Diesel" (PDF). Aircraft Engine Historical Society. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  3. ^ The Aeroplane, Volume 59.
  4. ^ a b Grey, C.G.; Bridgman, Leonard, eds. (1938). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1938. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 86d.
  5. ^ a b c d Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1947). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. p. 67d.
  6. ^ Arthur William Judge. Aircraft engines, Volume 2.[page needed]
  7. ^ Guiberson T-1020 Diesel Engine, New England Air Museum

Further reading

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