Definition
A circular exhaust manifold on a radial aircraft engine that gathers the exhaust gases from each cylinder's individual exhaust pipe and channels them into a single outlet, typically leading to the tailpipe or turbocharger.
Plain English
A round pipe that wraps around a radial engine and collects the exhaust from every cylinder so it can flow out through one opening instead of many.
Context Anchor
Seen in radial-engine aircraft during engine-system study, maintenance descriptions, and preflight attention to the exhaust system.
Derivation
From 'collector' (something that gathers things together) and 'ring' (a circular shape). The name describes exactly what it does: a ring-shaped part that collects exhaust. Worth noting because it tells you the geometry — radial engines have cylinders arranged in a circle, so the exhaust collector is also circular.
Why Pilots Care
Cracks, leaks, or corrosion in a collector ring can allow hot exhaust gases to escape into the cowling or cabin heat system, creating fire risk or carbon monoxide hazard. It is a routine inspection item on radial-engine aircraft.
Intuition Check
Do not think of a collector ring as a storage part. It does not hold exhaust gas; it gathers the gas from several cylinders and carries it away.
Example Sentence 1
During the annual inspection, the mechanic found a hairline crack in the collector ring and replaced it before returning the aircraft to service.
Example Sentence 2
Radial engines rely on a collector ring to handle exhaust from every cylinder.