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Tubing, piping, and hose – and the fittings that connect them – are the circulatory systems of today’s aircraft. Carrying high-pressure hydraulic fluid to and through critical subsystems and components such as flight control actuators, engine-driven pumps, auxiliary pumps, electric motor pumps, power transfer units, and more, these components are key to an aircraft’s power and flight control. Yet, despite the increased complexity of hydraulic systems today, fluid leakage is a nagging cause for re-work and unscheduled maintenance.
But what if there was a better way? What if an innovative approach offered lower installation time with a visual indicator for a leak-free connection?
Enter the new visual torque indication, a patent-pending family of fittings that offers these benefits and more from the Stratoflex Products Division of Parker Aerospace, the industry leader in fluid conveyance systems and components.
Plumbing and maintaining the hydraulic system of a large commercial aircraft can be a daunting and time-consuming task. A typical commercial transport contains hundreds of feet of tubing and thousands of fittings and fitting connections1.
Today, installers use torque wrenches and specialized torque procedures to secure system connections and apply a torque stripe to indicate completed assembly. However, the large number of connections and challenging installation requirements lead to improper connections, with no means of detection until the system is pressurized. Should the connection leak, additional time must be taken to locate the improper connection, clean hydraulic fluid spills, and re-torque or replace the leaking assembly.
With patent-pending design features, visual torque indication fittings offer significantly lower installation time for connections while providing an immediate, visual verification of a properly assembled connection. These benefits combine to support the increased production rates required by aircraft OEMs for the demanding aerospace market.
Developed from proven Parker fluid connection technology and qualified to industry and customer requirements, visual torque indication fittings offer:
Visual torque indication fittings are designed for operating pressures for today’s hydraulic systems. Visual torque indication fittings utilize aerospace materials (corrosion-resistant steel, aluminum, titanium) for sizes -4 through -24.
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For additional information on Parker Aerospace systems and capabilities, please visit our website.
Attending the 2019 Paris Air Show?
The Paris Air Show is the largest and longest-running aerospace trade show in the world, bringing together all the players in this global industry around the latest technological innovations.
Visit Parker Aerospace in Hall 5, stand C210 to learn about our mastery of flight control, hydraulic, fuel, inerting, fluid conveyance, thermal management, pneumatic, and lubrication systems and components.
This post was contributed by Jonathan Golightly, senior engineer, and Scott Pearson, division engineering director, of Parker Aerospace’s Stratoflex Products Division.
References
1 https://www.aviationpros.com/home/article/10388648/hydraulic-systems-tubing
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The evolution of fly-by-wire flight control actuation systems has dramatically changed the way an aircraft performs many of its functions. A pilot’s actions are now converted to electrical signals interpreted by flight computers that initiate orders to actuate the control surfaces of the airplane. Replacing the conventional manual controls of an aircraft with an electronic interface improves safety and handling and reduces weight. Improved aircraft responsiveness and reduced pilot workload are making fully digital flight control systems the preferred method for new business, regional, and commercial aircraft.
“Parker’s capabilities in next-generation flight control systems extend across different types of aircraft with adaptations made to enhance flight stability, performance, safety, and efficiency. Our customers rely on us to fully meet stringent certification requirements made possible by working in conjunction with their engineers and the use of our state-of-the-art systems integration laboratory. Our flight control systems are designed with advanced redundancy and scalability for business jets, regional jets, and commercial transports with similar architectures proven to deliver reliability, speed development, and take advantage of economies of scale.”
– Drexel Pope, director of new business development, Parker Aerospace Control Systems Division
As the global leader in motion and control technologies, Parker is currently integrating, supplying, and supporting the digital flight control systems on key aircraft manufactured by its valued Gulfstream, Airbus, and Bombardier customers.
The Gulfstream G500 and G600
Anticipated in the second quarter of 2019, the Gulfstream G600 twin-engine, long-range business jet will receive its type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with Parker’s fully digital three-axis, fly-by-wire flight control system onboard. Parker worked closely with Gulfstream during the development and certification process, ensuring that the G600’s primary and secondary flight control system components demonstrated compliance and airworthiness requirements. The success of the digital flight control system with electric backup hydraulic actuators on the sophisticated aircraft follows the achievements Parker realized on the G500, which received its FAA type certification in July of 2018 and entered service that September.
The G600 shares its flight control systems architecture with the G500. The similar architecture helped with the development of the G600 model and provided Gulfstream with additional benefits such as proven design and reliability. The Parker Aerospace fly-by-wire control system comprises a suite of electrohydraulic and electronic equipment providing command and monitoring capabilities to assist the aircraft in its various mission profiles.
In addition to the flight controls, Parker provides a wide range of other equipment to the G500 and G600 aircraft, including equipment used in the fuel and hydraulic systems as well as their Pratt & Whitney Canada 800 series engines.
Through Parker Aerospace’s Customer Support Operations – a centralized support organization that provides customer and product support, as well as customized service solutions to meet customers’ needs for spares, repairs, and overhaul services for all Parker Aerospace airframe and engine products – Parker has the capability to support customers like Gulfstream, Bombardier, Airbus, as well as their customers, for the life of their aircraft programs.
To learn more about Parker’s electronic fly-by-wire flight control systems, please contact Doug Sutton, new business development manager, Parker Aerospace, Customer Systems Division, (949) 465-4879 or doug.sutton@parker.com.
The Paris Air Show is the largest and longest-running aerospace trade show in the world, bringing together all the players in this global industry around the latest technological innovations.
Visit Parker Aerospace in Hall 5, stand C210 to learn about our mastery of flight control, hydraulic, fuel, inerting, fluid conveyance, thermal management, pneumatic, and lubrication systems and components.
This post was contributed by Steve Pitts, general manager for Parker Aerospace’s Control Systems Division.
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Additive Manufacturing and Engineering Solve Aerospace Challenges
Commercial aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been building more-electric aircraft – or MEA – for over a decade. MEA are aircraft that rely on electric power to operate non-propulsion systems such as those for lubrication, flight control, fuel, thermal management, and more.
Today’s aircraft makers are collaborating with their suppliers to design new systems and implement new electrical-intensive architectures that are key to unlocking such efficiency improvements as lower aircraft weight, better fuel consumption, reduced total life-cycle costs, and enhanced maintainability and reliability.
One such supplier collaboration supporting the move to MEA has been launched by Parker Aerospace Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Division (GTFSD).
Long recognized for its motor-driven pump technology and pedigree in major platforms for both military and commercial applications – particularly for fuel and thermal management pumps – GTFSD is breaking new ground through its development of electric motor-driven smart pumps that can accommodate a wide range of voltage to the digital controller. The motor speed can be controlled by sensors or sensorless, depending on the application.
Electronic controllers interpret system signals, enabling a pump to respond with a specific flow to meet a specific system demand. Whether for more fuel, enhanced cooling, or greater pressure, this demand flow results in a highly efficient use of the aircraft’s finite energy resources, creating less fuel burn and fewer engine emissions.
Parker Aerospace’s auxiliary power unit (APU) fuel metering unit for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one such electric motor-driven smart pump already in service. The APU pump unit builds on GTFSD’s experience with electric motor-driven pumps, which includes those for missiles and military UAV applications, as well as for large transport turbine engines.
“The innovative APU fuel metering unit replaces conventional engine fuel control for the Boeing 787. Featuring an impeller boost pump and a high-pressure gear element, the two-staged pump assembly integrates 13 components into one and uses an AC- or DC-powered dual-processor digital controller with CAN bus interface to provide precise fuel flow in response to engine demand.”
– Rick Mossey, engine systems business development manager, Parker Aerospace, Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Division
Enhanced reliability is a key benefit of the APU pump unit. With 500-plus units fielded to date, the product is performing well.
GTFSD has developed a 270-volt, 27-horsepower brushless DC (BLDC) motor-driven, high-pressure main engine feed smart pump that is currently in testing. With a simplified system design and lower system procurement cost, the new pump unit improves both pump efficiency and system reliability. It includes an electric motor, BLDC motor controller, impeller, and high-pressure piston-based pumping element, offering:
Alternative propulsion systems are being looked at as a means of achieving fuel savings, lowered emissions, and reduced noise. One such alternative approach uses hybrid gas turbines. A highly efficient gas turbine engine and electric motor are paired to provide thrust via combinations of both sources.
The electric power can be used for the duration of a flight or when added power is required. Since Parker Aerospace’s electric motor-driven smart pumps are able to vary their routines almost infinitely based on the requirements of the systems they serve, they are readily adaptable for such next-generation applications.
For additional information on Parker Aerospace systems and capabilities, please visit our website.
Attending the 2019 Paris Air Show?
The Paris Air Show is the largest and longest-running aerospace trade show in the world, bringing together all the players in this global industry around the latest technological innovations.
Visit Parker Aerospace in Hall 5, stand C210 to learn about our mastery of flight control, hydraulic, fuel, inerting, fluid conveyance, thermal management, pneumatic, and lubrication systems and components.
This post was contributed by Rick Mossey, engine systems business development manager, Parker Aerospace, Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Division.
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As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of innovative braking products and systems, Parker Aerospace’s Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division strives to keep its customers’ aircraft fleets operating as healthy and efficiently as possible. When operators of the Piaggio Aerospace P.180 Avanti and Avanti II executive transport turboprop expressed concerns over the expense of replacing the existing carbon brake systems, Parker responded with industry-leading support and a commitment to improve its original product design. Working in partnership with Piaggio Aerospace, a leading Italian aircraft manufacturer active in the business and defense & security sectors, Parker developed a new aftermarket steel brake system as a less-costly alternative retrofit configuration for the wheels and brakes on the P.180 aircraft.
On October 17, 2018, Parker Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division received the supplemental type certificate (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the alternative retrofit configuration. The certification is confirmation that Parker followed the original design approval process, including flight testing, to ensure the safety and performance of the new wheel and brake system.
Less costly than the P.180’s previous carbon brakes, the new Parker high-performance steel brakes were engineered to maintain smoother, more consistent operation with even wear across the available life. The wheels in the new retrofit system are aluminum-forged to provide excellent corrosion resistance as well as advanced safety features that protect against manual- and thermal-induced over-pressurization. Heat shields are also included in the new design to help maintain acceptable tire temperatures.
“Taking a team approach, we worked collaboratively with Piaggio to successfully plan, design, and test a program that demonstrated absolute quality with no requested changes from the FAA ... Our diligent planning and expertise in aerospace-grade materials resulted in a product retrofit that will bring a new stream of value to our customers’ operations.”
— Dan Basch, engineering manager at the Parker Aerospace Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division
In-flight qualification testing of Parker’s new steel brake and main wheel assembly was successfully conducted on the P.180 Avanti aircraft at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Florida in August 2018. During the testing, landing distances were measured and compared, and the following test points were evaluated with positive results:
Multiple companies coordinated the group testing including Momentum Aeronautics, a full-service engineering company that specializes in the design and certification of aircraft and aircraft systems. Momentum Aerospace submitted the STC application to the FAA on Parker’s behalf.
“Development of the P.180 wheel and brake retrofit program began in 2016 when Parker and Piaggio both sought to solve customers’ cost-reduction challenges with a solution that would neither compromise quality or add difficulty to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities for their fleet mechanics ... While carbon offers low weight advantages compared to steel, its cost of material is steep. We knew that if we could integrate steel into the retrofit and ensure its performance, we could achieve drastic results for our customers’ bottom lines.”
— Tom Dorinsky, business team leader, Parker Aerospace Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division
Parker’s new retrofit solution is expected to save P.180 operators as much as 70 percent in overhaul costs, according to Dorinsky.
The mutually designed, customized steel brake program is now offered to aircraft operators as a conversion kit through Piaggio’s P.180 wheel and brake upgrade program. The replacement kit integrates seamlessly with existing aircraft systems requiring no aircraft or landing gear modifications for installation.
“Piaggio Aerospace is working closely with its customers to update them on the new aircraft offering so they can immediately begin to take advantage of its improved design features and potential cost savings. We are proud to be part of this commitment to innovation that we believe will lead to similar endeavors between our two companies.”
— Tom Dorinsky, business team leader, Parker Aerospace Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division
The Parker Aerospace Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division also received the supplemental type certificate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada (TC) in February of 2019. The EASA has jurisdiction as a technical agent for the member states of the European Union.
To request a conversion kit for the P.180 Avanti, Avanti II, and Avanti EVO aircraft, operators may contact Piaggio’s spare parts office at +39 335 8105920 or spareparts@piaggioaerospace.it. North or South American customers can contact Piaggio America at +1 561 253 0104 or spares@piaggioamerica.com.
Attending the 2019 Paris Air Show?
The Paris Air Show is the largest and longest-running aerospace trade show in the world, bringing together all the players in this global industry around the latest technological innovations.
Visit Parker Aerospace in Hall 5, stand C210 to learn about our mastery of flight control, hydraulic, fuel, inerting, fluid conveyance, thermal management, pneumatic, and lubrication systems and components.
This post was contributed by Justin Hodges, Parker Aerospace, Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division.
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Airframers and engine builders alike are increasingly using composites to lower aircraft weight. It is no surprise, then, that the Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Division (GTFSD) of Parker Aerospace is also exploring the implementation of lighter-weight composites.
Parker GTFSD is the first in the industry to offer engine OEMs composite engine oil reservoirs as a way to lower weight in their power plants. Lowering weight reduces an engine’s fuel consumption, yields a higher power-to-weight ratio, and provides greater fuel efficiency – all of which lead to the reduced emissions desired by both engine OEMs and their customers.
The new composite reservoir design can be up to 40 percent lighter than conventional steel or aluminum oil tanks. With excellent fire resistance, the composite reservoirs will also eliminate the need for weight-adding fire blankets.
About engine oil reservoirs
Designed to last the life of the engine, the main engine oil reservoir provides clean, deaerated oil to the engine for use by the turbine engine bearings, pumps, and transmissions. Reservoirs typically incorporate a variety of different components to monitor and manage the health of the engine oil system.
These can include an integrated deaerator, visual oil sight gauge, remote oil level indicator, pressure regulating, relief, and fill valves, a gravity fill cap, and an adapter. Conventional tanks can be made of a stainless-steel weldment or aluminum with a fire blanket. The entire tank must be designed and certified to meet the FAA’s 15 minute, 2000-degree F fireproof requirement.
GTFSD’s composite tank innovation
With research begun in 2005, the GTFSD lubrication team has now finalized the design and material technology needed to produce composite engine oil reservoirs capable of handling oil system pressure requirements while withstanding the hostile environment of aerospace gas turbine engines. Development, design, and testing of the new tanks are taking place at the GTFSD’s Naples, Florida, facility in collaboration with Parker’s central engineering resource, and the Applications and Technology Transfer lab at the Center for Composite Materials / University of Delaware.
Successful flame resistance and high g-force vibration testing have moved the tank development into the prototype stage, while a product design review is currently underway with a customer’s demonstration engine. The 18.4-gallon tank in review weighs 50 pounds and can withstand engine oil temperatures from -65˚ F to 392˚, vibration loads exceeding 22Gs, and proof pressure of 33.9 psig. In addition, GTSFD is well along in defining the processes for manufacturing the composite tanks, confirming manufacturing repeatability, and establishing inspection standards to ensure 100-percent quality.
Composite reservoirs bring the same positive benefits to virtually anything that flies – including commercial, regional, and business jets. The lighter-weight reservoirs are particularly helpful for larger commercial aircraft where engine oil reservoirs need to accommodate higher fluid volumes. Military aircraft, too, enjoy the same advantages.
Lighter-weight composite reservoirs can prove beneficial for an aircraft’s specific mission requirements, whether it is for longer range, greater cargo-carrying ability, or additional ordnance capacity.
The GTFSD lubrication design team is dedicated to finding innovative, engineered solutions for customers’ toughest challenges. Whether for industry-leading lubrication pumps and accessories -- fully integrated subsystem or system solutions that include advanced thermal management technologies -- or components like composite oil reservoirs, our unique designs consistently save space and reduce weight, offering greater reliability, easy maintenance, simple operation, and longer life.
Our portfolio of lubrication products is used to support commercial and military programs worldwide and includes the following:
Military/large commercial transportsTo learn more about the capabilities of Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Division, please visit our website.
Attending the 2019 Paris Air Show?
The Paris Air Show is the largest and longest-running aerospace trade show in the world, bringing together all the players in this global industry around the latest technological innovations.
Visit Parker Aerospace in Hall 5, stand C210 to learn about our mastery of flight control, hydraulic, fuel, inerting, fluid conveyance, thermal management, pneumatic, and lubrication systems and components.
This post was contributed by Glen Kukla, engineering team leader, Gas Turbine Fuel Systems Division, Parker Aerospace.
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