Vital Hydraulics Technology in Aviation
Thanks to the versatile French visionary Blaise Pascal’s theory, industrial engineering and allied applications witnessed the most extraordinary and progressive revolution.
His observations of 1640s opened up new chapters in the science of hydrodynamics and the consequent technology of amazing hydraulics. And today along with pneumatics, the techniques hydraulics feature in almost every other engineering activity including highly sophisticated aviation and space travel.
With this technique in a system, it has been possible to transmit a very high pressure or force of mega dimension with a tiny volume of hydraulic lubricant.
In aviation, the aircraft hydraulic system functions in scores of applications such as to move and actuate the landing gear, flaps and brakes, opening and closure of doors and cargo hatches among others. So much so even aircraft which are larger in size rely on hydraulics for the operation of flight control systems, spoilers, thrust reversers and several other applications.
On the ground, apart from the ladders and material handling systems, this technology is extensively relied upon on numerous other systems. On this score, the relevance of hydraulic cylinder design plays a key role. The design of the cylinders has a direct impact on the application and actions of the tubing in the system.
Some of the crucial points involving this technology as well as tubing, integrated in the fuselage and operation of an aircraft are –
- Fuel Hydraulics in the jet packs
- Main engine pumps
- Inline horizontal stabiliser motors
- Integrated electro hydraulic actuator steering package
- Power transfer unit
- Thrust reverse door actuators for both cabin and cargo slots including nose cargo door
- Cabin pressure and air conditioning system including oxygen lines
- Manometric Lines
- High pressure pump system in the belly of the fuselage
- Landing gear retraction jacks and brake systems
- Fuel manifold system in the tanks located in wings
- Potable galley water and waste water systems
- Flight control surfaces servo actuator system in the rudder and also Flap/Slat actuators
- Auxiliary power unit fuel feed
- AC motor pump and constant speed motor generators
Although hydraulic systems are heavier vis-à-vis pneumatic system, they are most reliable since their fluid is virtually incompressible, capable of transmitting high pressures.
The fluid not only transmits the pressure but in the process also lubricates parts of the hydraulic system and acts as a coolant.
Usually, oil with a low viscosity is used for easy filling of all the lines and aluminium pipes that make up the system. Since the oil generates ample heat, designers of the hydraulic system must bear in mind the wide range of thermal ratings.
Hydraulic pressure and the rudder pedals using the feet operate the brake systems in an aircraft. In larger aircraft since the weight increases, the pilot relies on brake boosters or power assisted brakes. The main hydraulic pressure is used gradually through a valve to help the pilot applying the brakes.
Powered brakes are governed by the main hydraulic system with a much higher pressure than the pilot can apply. Brake pressure regulates main hydraulic pressure to the wheel and the calliper.
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