THE major part of this paper reports a teardown inspection of the Mercedes-Benz DB-601A engine with detailed descriptions and comments on some of the design features of major component parts. It is followed by a check of the magnaflux inspection method, analysis and comparison of materials, and comparison on quality of finish.Quoting specifications, the author reveals that the Mercedes-Benz DB-601A engine is an inverted 60-deg V-type, 12-cyl in banks of 6, liquid-cooled Otto-cycle engine with fuel injection. Its bore and stroke are 150 x 160 mm; its displacement is 2070 cu in; and its compression ratio is 6.74:1.Comparing the physical and performance characteristics of the engine with contemporary American, British, French, and German powerplants of the same general design, Mr. Young reports that German and French liquid-cooled designs tend toward larger displacement and lower crankshaft speed while American and British practice favors higher engine speeds with relatively smaller piston displacement; that the Germans favor the inverted type of construction in in-line engines because of the excellent visibility which this type of engine permits in a single-engine airplane; and that American and British engines average about 5.7% higher in bmep under military rating.Discussing workmanship and quality of finish in his conclusions, Mr. Young points out that no useless effort in man-hours or finish has been expended where there is not a direct return in increased reliability and performance, and that handiwork in the polishing of stressed parts is of the highest order. Although stating that the design represents good mass-production practice for military aircraft engines, he notes that the highly stressed bolts do not have ground threads.On the important factor of performance, he summarizes: “Despite wishful thinking to the contrary, the performance of the DB-601A with respect to sea level and altitude output, fuel consumption, and weight, seems to be on a par with contemporary powerplants of the same general type.”Discussions of this paper were presented by W. H. Sprenkle and E. K. Von Mertens, both of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Division of United Aircraft Corp., but were not prepared for publication.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    MERCEDES-BENZ DB-601A AIRCRAFT ENGINE - (Design Features and Performance Characteristics)


    Additional title:

    Sae Technical Papers


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Pre-1964 SAE Technical Papers ; 1906



    Publication date :

    1941-01-01




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Mercedes-Benz DB-601a aircraft engine

    Young, R.W. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1941


    Mercedes-Benz DB-601A aircraft engine

    Young, R.W. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1941


    Mercedes-Benz DB-601a aircraft engine

    Young, R.W. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1941


    Supercharged Mercedes-Benz SLK engine

    Jost, K. | Tema Archive | 1997


    Mercedes-Benz new V6 engine

    Online Contents | 1997