Thielert Centurion

2014-01-06T02:14:03Z

Riddleh: changed "heavier that" to "heavier than"

{{Refimprove|date=December 2011}}

{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
|name= Thielert Centurion
|image= Thielert Centurion 4.0 f.jpg
|caption= Thielert Centurion 4.0
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Engine
|type= [[Aircraft Diesel engine]]
|manufacturer= [[Thielert]]
|first run=
|major applications= [[Diamond DA42]]
|number built =
|program cost =
|unit cost =
|developed from =
|developed into =
|variants with their own articles =
}}
|}

The '''Thielert Centurion''' is a series of [[Aircraft Diesel engine|Diesel cycle aircraft engines]] for [[general aviation]] built by [[Thielert]]. They are based on heavily modified [[Mercedes-Benz]] automotive engines.

==Design==
All Centurion engines are water-cooled, [[turbocharger|turbocharged]] and employ a single-lever digital engine management system ([[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|date=February 2007}}

Centurion series engines are always fitted with [[constant speed propeller]]s 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|date=August 2009}}

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.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

A Centurion engine complete with CSU, reduction gearbox, turbocharger and FADEC engine management system is considerably heavier than the more conventional [[Teledyne Continental Motors|Continental]] and [[Lycoming Engines|Lycoming]] engines with which it competes, but this weight disadvantage is compensated for by the Centurion's lower fuel consumption. Even though it lacks the [[ignition magneto|magneto]]s and [[spark plugs]] of the conventional piston engines, the Centurion engines are considerably more complex.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

==Variants==
[[Image:DiamondDA-42TwinStarN131TSThielertEngineDetail.jpg|thumb|right|Centurion 1.7 installation in a [[Diamond DA42]]]]
===Centurion 1.7===
:The first product introduced by Thielert, a 1689 cm³ (103 in³) engine producing {{convert|135|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} is based on the [[Mercedes-Benz OM668]] engine from [[Mercedes-Benz A-Class]] A 170 CDI (W168) with 80 mm bore and 84 mm stroke. Until the end of 2006, when production ceased in favor of the Centurion 2.0, more than 1,500 Centurion 1.7 had been built. The in-service record of the 1.7 has been poor,{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}} with a combination of design, service and support issues causing widespread customer dissatisfaction,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/AVwebInsiderBlog_Thielert_FlawedEconomics_197998-1.html?type=pf | title=Thielert's Flawed Economics (And Why the Company Knows It) | publisher=AVwebinsider | date=2008-05-29 | accessdate=April 26, 2012 | author=Bertorelli, Paul}}</ref> and resulting in Diamond designing its own engines to compete with Thielert.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}
[[Image:Centurion20.jpg|right|thumb|Centurion 2.0]]
===Centurion 2.0===
:Introduced in late 2006. The main difference is a new [[Mercedes-Benz OM640]] engine cylinder block from the Mercedes-Benz A 200 CDI ([[Mercedes-Benz_A-Class#W169_2|W169]]) with a displacement of 1991 cm<sup>3</sup> (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 {{convert|135|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, the same as the 1.7, but is [[European Aviation Safety Agency|EASA]] and [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] certified for {{convert|155|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. It has accumulated more than 1,000,000 flight hours without mechanical failures as of April 2008.

===Centurion 2.0 S===
:This 4-cylinder turbodiesel with common rail direct injection and redundant FADEC control offers {{convert|155|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, thus providing a clearly perceptible increase in performance compared with the {{convert|135|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} Centurion 2.0. Despite of improved performance Centurion 2.0s weighs as much as the Centurion 2.0<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avbuyer.com/articles/detail.asp?Id=1564|title= Featured Engine: Centurion 2.0S|date=December 2009|publisher=GA Buyer Europe Magazine|accessdate=2013-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centurion-engines.com/typo3/index.php?id=84&L=1|publisher=Centurion Engines|title= Centurion 2.0s – Jet Fuel Piston Engine with 155 hp|accessdate=2013-08-28}}</ref>

===Centurion 3.2===
:Intended to fill the gap between the Centurion 2.0 and the 4.0 and designed to produce {{convert|230|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. Development is largely complete, but the project is on hold.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

[[File:Thielert Centurion 4.0 vr.jpg|thumb|A Centurion 4.0 on display]]
===Centurion 4.0===
:Designed as a larger engine to replace the {{convert|300|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} gasoline engines, this new V8 design produces 350 hp (261 kW) and was developed from the [[Mercedes-Benz OM629]] automobile engine. Initially equipped with two turbochargers, later changed to a larger single turbocharger. Certified only for [[Jet fuel|Jet A & A1]]. After the insolvency of Thielert in April 2008 all work on the Centurion 4.0 was frozen.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}

==Applications==
===Centurion 1.7===
* [[Diamond DA40|Diamond DA40-TDI Star]]
* [[Diamond DA42 Twin Star]]
* [[Apex Aircraft]] [[Robin DR400]] 135 CDI Ecoflyer
* [[Cessna 172]] ("F" and later models, modified under a [[Supplemental Type Certificate]])<ref name="SA13003WI">{{cite web|url = http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/F91E8E02A1E09BC0862576DA004FB3EF?OpenDocument|title = Supplemental Type Certificate SA01303WI|accessdate = 19 May 2010|last = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|authorlink = |year = 2009|month = November}}</ref>
* [[General Atomics MQ-1C Grey Eagle]]

===Centurion 2.0===
* [[Diamond DA42 Twin Star]]
* [[Diamond DA40]]
* [[Cessna 172]] ("F" and later models, modified under a Supplemental Type Certificate)<ref name="SA13003WI" />
* [[Robin DR400]] Ecoflyer
*[[TAI Anka]] Turkish Aerospace Industries MALE UAV
*[[Piper PA-28 Cherokee]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centurion-engines.com/typo3/index.php?id=95&L=1|title= STC for Piper PA |publisher=Centurion Engines|accessdate=2013-08-27}}</ref>

===Centurion 3.2===
* [[Cessna 182]] - Proposed STC

===Centurion 4.0===
*[[Cirrus SR-22]] (STC)
*[[Cessna 206]] (STC)
*[[Cessna 340]] - Proposed STC
*[[Cessna 414]] - Proposed STC
*[[Cessna 421]] - Proposed STC
*[[Beechcraft Duke]] - Proposed STC by Martin Hagensieker in collaboration with [[Gomolzig Flugzeug- und Maschinenbau GmbH]]

==See also==
{{Aircontent
|related=

|similar engines=
* [[Continental TD-300]]
* [[SMA SR305-230]]
* [[Austro Engine E4]]

|lists=
* [[List of aircraft engines]]
|see also=
}}

==References==
{{More footnotes|date=August 2009}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.centurion-engines.com/ Centurion engines home page]
* [http://www.easa.eu.int/doc/Certification/Design_Appro/Engines/TAE125%20series%20issue%2005.pdf EASA Type Certificate Centurion 1.7 / 2.0]
* [http://www.easa.eu.int/ws_prod/c/doc/Design_Appro/Engines/TCDS%20Centurion%204.0%20series-%20issue04.pdf EASA Type Certificate Centurion 4.0]

{{Aviation lists}}

[[Category:Aircraft diesel engines]]
[[Category:Aircraft piston engines 2000–2009]]

[[de:Thielert Centurion 1.7]]

Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Thielert Centurion