Chaise 4B
| Industry | Aircraft engines |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1930s |
| Products | Aircraft piston engines |
The Chaise 4B represents a French aircraft powerplant from the 1930s, distinguished by its inverted, air-cooled V-4 layout with a narrow 14º angle between the cylinder banks.
Design and development
During the early part of the 1930s, Societe Anonyme Omnium Metallurgique et Industriel / Etablissements Chaise et Cie (Moteurs Chaise) created a compact and lightweight four-cylinder engine delivering . To achieve a shorter crankshaft and reduced overall dimensions, Chaise designed an inverted V-4 configuration featuring a slim 14º vee angle. The offset arrangement of the cylinder banks contributed to the engine’s compact width and length.
Constructed with a light alloy (R.R.50) crankcase, the engine housed heat-treated steel cylinders that were directly bolted to this casing, while the cylinder heads made of light alloy were fastened onto the barrels. Positioned at the rear were accessories such as magnetos, which were driven by camshafts located on either side of the crankcase. These camshafts also actuated valves through pushrods and rocker arms fitted with triple concentric return springs.
Variants
- 4B
- Base production model
- 4Ba
- Enhanced iteration of the 4B