Definition
A component in a continuous-flow fuel injection system that receives metered fuel from the fuel control unit and divides it equally among the individual fuel discharge nozzles, one for each engine cylinder. It is typically mounted on top of the engine and acts as the central junction from which separate fuel lines run to each cylinder's intake port.
Plain English
It's the part that takes the fuel coming from the metering unit and splits it evenly between all the cylinders, sending each one its own share through its own line.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of fuel-injected aircraft engines, especially when tracing how fuel moves from the fuel control unit to the cylinders.
Derivation
Distributor comes from a Latin word meaning “to divide out” or “to hand out in portions.” That matches the aviation meaning: this part divides the fuel flow and sends it out to the cylinders.
Why Pilots Care
Even fuel delivery keeps the engine running smoothly and avoids power loss or roughness that could affect flight safety.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse this with an electrical distributor or with a company that sells fuel. In this context, a fuel distributor is an engine component that divides and routes fuel inside the fuel-injection system.
Example Sentence 1
After the fuel control unit meters the flow, the fuel distributor sends an equal share to each cylinder's discharge nozzle.
Example Sentence 2
During the run-up, any imbalance in cylinder temperatures often points to a problem with the fuel distributor.