Engineered Propulsion Systems’ (EPS) Vision 350 diesel engine, currently in development for general aviation airplanes, recently achieved a milestone in its initial test program. Engineers parked the EPS mobile testing lab at Hartzell Propeller’s headquarters in Piqua, Ohio, where the engine proved capable of spinning Hartzell’s traditional aluminum, ASC-II composite and Bantam composite graphite propellers without the need for engine vibration dampers.
According to EPS, the testing showed that the engine’s design features make it a smoother running engine than many traditional general aviation engines and any other diesel engine.
“We were very encouraged to see that the stresses on the propellers were acceptable and lower than most engines we have surveyed,” said Hartzell Propeller’s vice president of engineering, Bruce Hanke.
The Vision 350 testing program began in November 2011, and, thanks to the mobile lab, the engine has been tested in various temperatures and elevations. The eight-cylinder, liquid cooled engine is equipped with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system and will be capable of producing up to 350 horsepower while burning less than 20 gallons per hour, according to Steve Weinzierl, EPS’ chief technical officer.
