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76 Dossier | MVVS 116 NP LC INJ and temperature sensors are key to ensuring that fuel delivery is tuned for optimal safety and efficiency.” The second core function is engine temperature control. The temperature sensors are key to this, with the electronic water pump’s thermal management of the engine being informed by its own thermistor, as well as the EGT and CHT sensors. The ECU can also function as a governor in order to maintain a constant engine speed (regardless of engine load), targeting a preferred rpm and using a PID controller to regulate the throttle and hence the power output for the desired speed. Various other key functions that can be useful for different UAV users are available through the engine management system. Customers can for instance set alarms for individual sensor input parameters, such as alerts for each of the thermistors if they sense heat levels surpassing a configured threshold. Crank rpm near the redline or over- and under-voltages on the servos can also deliver warnings to the end- user’s autopilot, the GCS or both. And naturally, fuel level alarms can also be set for planning automated returns or emergency landings. Conclusion Despite the number of engines MVVS produces across the RC and UAV worlds, Dundalek notes that it is still a small company, so its design philosophy around simplicity and reliability will continue to be one of its core goals. “While there are no doubt many great innovations among UAV engines, our engineering makes for easy maintenance and repairability, and gives our engines a long lifespan with a low cost of ownership over time,” he says. “By and large, that’s what we see people in this market wanting most.” April/May 2022 | Unmanned Systems Technology MVVS 116 NP LC INJ Two-stroke Boxer twin Gasoline (unleaded, 95 octane) Naturally aspirated EFI Water-cooled Weight (without starter and pump): 3 kg Displacement: 116 cc Bore and stroke: 42 x 42 mm Peak power output (without generator): 11.3 PS (11.14 bhp/ 8.4 kW) at 5900 rpm Operational rpm range: 1500-7000 rpm Minimum speed: 900 rpm Redline speed: 9500 rpm Compression ratio: 8.1:1 Some key suppliers Pistons: Almet Pistons: Meteor Pistons: Vertex ECUs: Fly Henry EFI: Fly Henry Generator: Fly Henry Ignition systems: Fly Henry Ignition systems: Falkon Electronic Carburettors: Walbro Casting services: Alucast Heat treatments: QIP Specifications An X-ray of one of the 58 cc cylinders (taken from a test run by MVVS to check casting quality before delivery to customers) Easy maintenance and repairability give our engines a long lifespan with a low cost of ownership over time, which is what the market wants