A fuel servo is a crucial component within a fuel injection system, acting as the fuel- and air-metering unit for an engine.
Understanding the Fuel Servo
In essence, the fuel servo is the part of a fuel injection system responsible for precisely controlling the amount of fuel and air that enters the engine's combustion chambers. It ensures the engine receives the correct mixture for efficient operation across different power settings.
How it Works
The operation of a fuel servo is directly linked to the engine's airflow requirements. Here's a breakdown of its function based on the provided information:
- Airflow Control: The servo contains a throttle body and a butterfly valve. This valve is positioned within the path of the incoming air.
- Pilot Input: The movement of the butterfly valve is controlled by the pilot's throttle lever in the cockpit. When the pilot advances the throttle, the butterfly valve opens wider.
- Metering Air: By controlling the position of the butterfly valve, the servo directly controls the airflow to the intake pipes of the engine cylinders. This means the pilot's throttle movements directly control the amount of air entering the engine.
- Fuel Metering: While the reference primarily focuses on air control tied to pilot input, the servo is identified as a "fuel- and air-metering unit," indicating it also regulates fuel flow in relation to the measured airflow, ensuring the proper air-fuel mixture.
Key Components and Functions
The fuel servo integrates several functions to manage the engine's air and fuel supply:
- Metering Unit: Measures and controls both fuel and air.
- Throttle Body: Houses the butterfly valve and provides the passage for intake air.
- Butterfly Valve: A disc that pivots to restrict or allow airflow based on throttle position.
This integrated design allows the fuel injection system to deliver fuel precisely based on the measured air intake, providing a more efficient and responsive alternative to older carburetor systems in many applications.
