Follow Parker Hannifin on social media:
The America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sports and the highest prize in sailing. Although it has a colorful history dating to 1851, America’s Cup wind-powered racing yachts certainly aren’t old school: the boats use advanced light-weight materials, the latest in nautical design, and aerospace control technology to skim across the ocean’s surface at speeds approaching 50 knots. That’s 55-plus miles-per-hour for landlubbers and the ultimate challenge for the 11-sailor crews that navigate the sophisticated yachts.
Parker is no stranger to the high-pressure competition that fuels the America’s Cup, having supported U.S. teams as an official partner during the last America’s Cup and supplying parts for decades. Following the announcement on January 7, 2019, Parker Hannifin is teaming with a New York Yacht Club-backed entry from the United States called “American Magic.” Parker is the official control systems partner to bring the trophy home to America’s shore in the 36th America’s Cup in 2021. Parker and the American Magic Team will work together to develop and implement state-of-the-art systems for the team’s racing boats. Leveraging a portfolio of proven aerospace and industrial technologies, these systems will enable the advanced yachts with precise control of the lifting surfaces and the wing required to produce optimum performance.
"Parker is honored to be a part of the American Magic team and to build on our long history with the America's Cup. The motion and control challenges that are presented by this latest generation of foiling yachts are significant and relevant to those that we see in our core business. The opportunity to partner with some of the most talented engineers and athletes on the planet in the crucible of a world-class competition is a recipe for technology advancement, and hopefully some American magic."
— Craig Maxwell, vice president and chief technology and innovation officer for Parker
New monohull design developed under AC75 Class Rule
Teams will be racing a monohull boat designed under the AC75 Class Rule, which defines the parameters within which teams can design a yacht eligible to compete for the 36th America’s Cup. In addition to shared weight, mast, and sail specifications, the AC75 boats will feature a 75-foot monohull with a T-foil rudder and twin canting T-foils. The objective of this design is to allow the boats to accelerate sufficiently that their foils elevate the hulls from the water to navigate above the ocean’s surface, reducing drag and increasing speed.
The AC75 is a “one-design” vessel, meaning that all teams’ boats use the same design for the main structural elements. The teams can innovate and gain advantage at the system levels of the boats. That’s where Parker Aerospace comes in.
Parker motion controls to optimize American Magic’s performance
Putting 100-plus years of engineering expertise to work and applying a broad range of core technologies, Parker will integrate its controls, hydraulics, and actuators into a key motion and control system that helps American Magic boats achieve stability as each lift onto its foils and accelerates.
According to Mark Czaja, vice president of technology and innovation with Parker Motion Systems, a wide range of Parker products and system-level expertise will help the American Magic boat perform at its highest level.
“Working with the team's Official Innovation Partner, Airbus – with whom Parker already works closely on several commercial and military aircraft platforms – we are bringing advanced control technologies to the American Magic boats, refining the design of the control system and its components for the rigors of saltwater competition.”
— Mark Czaja, vice president of technology and innovation with Parker Motion Systems
Half-scale boat tested on the water in Pensacola, Florida
The New York Yacht Club American Magic team has built a boat to half-scale of a race-ready AC75 design. The 38-foot boat—known as “the Mule” to its sailors, designers, and shore crew—has undergone testing in the waters of Pensacola, Florida. The shakedown runs serve to train the crew and provide system-level data that will influence the building of the first full-scale American Magic boat. The first AC75 yacht should be in the water by the end of August of 2019. Data gathered from the first boat will inform construction of a second one; either of the two boats can be used in the Challenger selection events and, ultimately, the America’s Cup.
Challenger selection events to determine who will face Defender Team Emirates New Zealand
The 36th America’s Cup match will take place in Auckland, New Zealand, in March of 2021. Prior to the America’s Cup, American Magic will compete in the America’s Cup World Series (April 23-26, 2020) and the Prada Cup Challenger series starting in January 2021. These races build toward the 36th America’s Cup over March 6-21, when the competition leader will earn the right to face current cup defender, Team Emirates New Zealand. But there is much to do before that for American Magic—and Parker—to prepare for the next edition of the America’s Cup.
We’ll be blogging throughout the run-up to the America’s Cup race in 2021, keeping readers posted on Parker and American Magic progress toward winning the cup for America.
This post was contributed by Zack Cody, project lead and a member of the Parker Aerospace central engineering department.
Related content
Aerospace Technology Takes America's Cup Racing Team to New Heights
Aerospace Technology Powers ORACLE TEAM USA in the 35th America's Cup
ORACLE TEAM USA Puts Hydraulic Control System to the Ultimate Test
Parker Hannifin believes that creating a better tomorrow for everyone begins with a commitment to positively impacting the lives of our team members and the communities we call home. Our culture is focused on operating responsibly and safely, and while we’re focused on reliably producing aircraft systems and components that enable engineering breakthroughs, Parker believes that responsible operations also means giving and volunteering. Helping promote math and science education makes Parker and our communities stronger, and so does spending time to help make an impact in the areas where we live and work.
As an operating group of Parker with 23 manufacturing facilities, Parker Aerospace connects and protects our world by advancing the future of flight. While as an organization we’re developing advanced technologies to make aircraft safer and more reliable, we’re also 7,500 team members who are individually engaged in making the world a better place.
With Parker’s commitment to giving back and corporate social responsibility, our employees have been busy this holiday season to make an impact where they live. There have been other activities at the other facilities that are not listed, these are a sampling of the activities starting in November 2019.
The Together We Serve team from our Fluid Systems Division (FSD) was last spotted wearing their team’s red shirts at the amazing South County Outreach food pantry, where the food donations were overflowing. Parker team members ran a food drive, and donated five barrels full of food to the local organization this fall. All donations received will be offered to Orange County families in need.
To further assist the South County Outreach center, the Together We Serve team stepped up to help by sending 17 team members to the organization’s facility on November 23rd. Their mission was to sort and check expiration dates on the many foods received in the food drive. One of Parker’s team leaders, Cindy Valdez, brought her granddaughter, Desirea Valdez, along to help. Desirea (age 12) said she had not realized before that there are so many people in need of food in our community.
FSD’s Together We Serve team is an ongoing initiative at the division that supports community service projects. More information is available in other blogs about the team’s charter and their activities in the first half of this year.
For the last two years, the Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division (AWBD) has worked with the Salvation Army in Lorain, Ohio, to provide gifts for local families. This year, AWB supported 75 “angels” and provided toys and clothing to share the holiday spirit with the less fortunate children of Lorain County. Prior to working with the Salvation Army, AWB adopted families through the division’s local city schools (Avon) through the Share a Holiday program for more than ten years.
Additionally, this year Parker Aerospace’s Fluid Systems Division (FSD) joined with AWBD to support a request that the Salvation Army had for blankets. The two divisions joined forces to raise money for this donation project and was able to supply 95 total blankets! The order was placed through Kohl’s, who didn’t have enough stock locally and had to send the blankets from distribution points all over the United States!
Peer W southern California hub collects work clothes donations
The southern California hub of an internal Parker initiative called Peer W collected gently used work clothes donations for WISEPlace. WISEPlace is located in Santa Ana, California, and stands for Women Inspired Supported Empowered, and helps provide a community of housing and hope for women in need.
The 140+ pieces of clothing that were collected will be used to support women as they go on interviews, and once they start new jobs. Previous to this donation, Parker had made a $5,000 charitable donation to WISEPlace. Vice President of Program & Contract Management Barry Draskovich helped to connect Parker with this organization and with the delivery of clothes.
Peer W is Parker Hannifin’s business resource group with a mission to cultivate the professional success of women by creating awareness, education, and visibility. The WISEPlace mission is aligned with Peer W’s key initiative to enhance Parker’s connection with the community through outreach and support of initiatives which empower women.
Exotic Metals collecting gifts and raising funds in Washington
The newest division of Parker Aerospace, joining our organization in an acquisition this year, Exotic Metals Forming Division is participating in many giving tree and toy drives. At the division’s Kent facility, team members are participating in a toy drive benefiting Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission (UGM). UGM offers services for those in homelessness and poverty, with services ranging from hot meals, safe shelter, addiction recovery, and other critical essentials.
Exotic Metal’s Airway Heights facility is supporting their local Salvation Army by gathering gifts for young children, teens, and adults in need for a giving tree toy drive as well.
For the 20th year in a row, we are collecting monetary donations for Childhaven. The organization works with the most vulnerable children by partnering with parents and community to prevent trauma and its damaging effects, and prepare children for a lifetime of well-being. Childhaven offers early learning, early intervention, and outpatient mental health services to children and families in King County, Washington. Last year during the holidays, Exotic Metals went above and beyond by raising a record breaking amount, which combined with a matching donation for a total of $20,972!
Angel Gift Holiday Project in Irvine, CaliforniaRepeating a tradition at the two Parker Aerospace locations in Irvine, the Alton and Von Karman facilities sponsored the Angel Gift Holiday Project through Smile Makers in conjunction with the Council on Aging – Orange County. This initiative helps give to seniors who spend the holidays without family. Angel-shaped ornaments each list a specific gift request for Parker employees to purchase a wrapped gift to accompany the tag.
The Council of Aging has been a trusted source that provides programs and services to more than 290,000 seniors and their families annually. There are more than 14,000 seniors in long-term care facilities in Orange County that have no family and SmileMakers Guild mobilizes community support for more than 6,000 seniors who would otherwise be forgotten.
Bikes for Kids kick-off event at Irvine, California
Team members at the Alton facility in Irvine, California, took part in their first Bike for Kids assembly event on Saturday, December 7. An ongoing tradition at Parker Hannifin’s headquarters in Cleveland, the Bikes for Kids event was introduced to the southern California office by IT Manager Sashi Kanth with help from Susan George, Natalie Kirkpatrick, and Ari Leon.
Donations were generously given by all team members in the Alton facility, including Aerospace Group, Military Flight Control Systems Division (MFCSD), and Customer Support Operations (CSO). The donations were enough to purchase 58 bicycles for the children of Thomas House Family Shelter in Garden Grove, California. CSO generously made the additional contribution to purchase helmets for every child as well.
The assembly event had greater turnout than expected, with 22 participants showing up bright and early on a Saturday morning ready to build all 58 bicycles. A trade show vendor for the divisions, Exibitree, was also gracious enough to volunteer its large truck to help deliver all of the bikes to Thomas House.
This post was contributed by Brian King, eBusiness manager, Parker Aerospace
Related content
Parker Employees Volunteer to Support Local Social Causes
Fluid Systems Division Emphasizes Community Service
Parker Supports STEM Challenge Mission to an Alien Planet with FIRST Robotics
Parker Supports KidVenture at AirVenture - The Spirit of Aviation
Parker Teams Give Back - Community Outreach Series
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) means different things to different people. For some, it means improving the communities in which they live or helping feed people in need of assistance. Other people prefer to support the military and military families. At Parker Aerospace, CSR efforts include all these causes and more thanks to a variety of support efforts provided by Parker employees.
Together We Serve is the collective name given to the many initiatives that make up CSR at Parker Aerospace’s Fluid Systems Division (FSD). Parker Hannifin provides corporate support through the Parker Foundation with grant money for charitable organizations. The selected organizations are nominated by local employees, and through a review process, the site chooses the specific charities that become recipients of the grants. In addition, the local Together We Serve team identifies the charitable initiatives and determines which organizations we will offer employees opportunities to support through either volunteering their time, donating items, or giving money to purchase the necessary items for donation.
In the case of FSD in Irvine, California, the local charities selected for the first half of 2019 included projects that help feed people, care for animals, and support families.
Second Harvest is a large foodbank near Irvine, California, that serves children, senior citizens, and even entire families in need. It is open to anyone whose income falls into what’s considered below the poverty level, which includes some military families. Last year, the non-profit food agency served approximately 250,000 people in the Irvine area. The food bank depends on volunteers to sustain approximately 40 percent of its manpower.
Twenty-three Parker team members and their families (including some children) worked at the food bank during a Saturday in February of 2019.
“People on the Second Harvest team had a sense of purpose and desire to give back to their communities ... Events like Second Harvest help employees feel more engaged with Parker and help them pass compassionate values on to their children.”
— Jennifer Perez, human resources specialist at Parker FSD in Irvine, CA
Perez noted that team members came from many different roles at Parker. “We had people from engineering, quality, finance, and human resources,” she reports. She indicated that they all worked together with a different type of teamwork and energy compared to their regular workplace routines.
“It was exciting to work around the table with my husband and people I care about,” explains Perez. “It was a different experience, like a race. People were eager to sort one type of food, then ask what else we could get done for the food bank. We wanted to hit record numbers. Afterward, there were lots of high fives and we had a great lunch together.”
To get the work done, team members gathered around a large table, broke open large bulk packages of food, eliminated any rotten or expired foods, and then re-packaged the food into smaller parcels for families. Parker employees also sorted donated towels, diapers, formula, and other items based on the needs of select groups like families with small children or senior citizens living by themselves.
“When working around the table, there is an energy that is contagious,” says Perez. “Time flies, but it’s also an eye-opening experience when you reflect on the people who benefit from the work.”
In addition to Second Harvest, Parker employees volunteered for an animal care project on a Saturday this past May. FSD members came together to help a local animal shelter in need of a good spring cleaning. With lots of enthusiasm and a can-do attitude, volunteers set to work to help the Orange County (OC) Animal Care organization.
This nonprofit operates 14 shelters and takes in more than 30,000 animals annually. During the event, the team was able to tour the Irvine facility, visit the animals, and pitch in with cleaning areas of the shelter devoted to abandoned and rescued animals.
A total of 22 Parker team members visited the Irvine OC Animal Care facility. There were also a few children who volunteered with their parents. All volunteers were clearly animal lovers.
Some volunteers and staff ended up adopting animals, according to OC Animal Care’s Public Education Officer, Brittany Hayes. She indicates that quite often volunteers find animals with which they build special bonds.
“Volunteering at OC Animal Care is definitely a feel-good thing,” says Hayes. “It’s almost an indescribable feeling because you are contributing to the well-being of the animals at the shelter. Whether you’re walking a dog or helping clean a kennel, you are making that animal feel loved and giving them a better opportunity to get adopted.”
OC Animal Care often hosts children volunteering with their parents. “Getting children involved in programs not only builds self-confidence, but it teaches them empathy,” notes Hayes. “Whether they are reading to an animal or if they are making them blankets, even the smallest hands make a big difference!”
“I think all employees who volunteered for this day at OC Animal Care are genuine animal lovers,” says Janet Dunscomb, the event coordinator and a cost/price analyst specialist at FSD. “So, they were very happy to be presented with an opportunity for themselves and their family members that combined their love for animals, their desire to help the community, and a chance to meet and get together with other Parker employees on a non-workday.”
Dunscomb received very positive feedback during the event and the day after. “I think everyone was very happy they participated and happy that Parker provided this opportunity,” she explains. “For those who want to continue volunteering in the animal world, this introduced them to new potential opportunities they could pursue after the event.”
A donation drive for local children attracted a great deal of heart-felt support from Parker FSD employees in 2019. Through a multi-faceted push that included email from Parker team leaders, visible drop-off bins strategically located within Parker facilities, and an internal website devoted to registrations, Parker was able to organize 106 backpacks for South County Outreach, near Irvine, California.
The organization has a vision to end hunger and house hope in Orange County, California. Providing an innovative food pantry and transitional housing program, South County Outreach helps homeless families get back on their feet with the tools and counseling they need to succeed.
Parker employees in Irvine have also supported Easter baskets and multiple gift card giveaways for Thanksgiving dinners for military families. Other charities selected by FSD in the past have included Toys for Tots and Angel Tree.
In Irvine, the Together We Serve team has eight members, which includes Perez, who helps bring volunteer ideas to other team members and then organize the events. The CSR team members sometimes serve as a specific event “champion.” Then, anywhere from 10 to 25 additional employees may volunteer for each event that CSR team members publicize. The group of volunteers changes with each activity.
“We are trying to offer a diverse grouping of opportunities to inspire new volunteers where they might feel drawn to participate,” explains Perez. Employees have previously supported a wide variety of charities through onsite donations of food, school supplies, gifts for the elderly, and toys for children at Christmas time.
“We did not have a formal program geared to serve in the community until recently,” says Perez. “In 2018, I had the opportunity to see how another company was supportive within the community through “serve” events. Ever since then, I have been working with a team here in Irvine to target those types of activities.”
Perez also believes that CSR initiatives like Together We Serve helps Parker attract better employees because today many individuals are looking for more than just a job. They want a sense of purpose. CSR initiatives allow for a better balance of purpose in an employee’s work/life balance. “There is definitely a level of personal satisfaction,” says Perez.
“I know the employees on the team feel a deeper sense of purpose when they can be involved in the team and CSR events, especially if it is one to which they are naturally drawn.”
— Jennifer Perez, human resources specialist
at Parker FSD in Irvine, CA
Perez added that for her, and for most of those who volunteer, the smiles at the end of an event truly reflect joy in the opportunities to give back in some way. “It's two-sided,” she adds. “To the person receiving support, and to the person offering support, it fills the heart to give or receive.”
This post was contributed by FSD’s Together We Serve team.
Related content
Fluid Systems Division Emphasizes Community Service
Parker Supports STEM Challenge Mission to an Alien Planet with FIRST Robotics
Parker Supports KidVenture at AirVenture - The Spirit of Aviation
Parker Teams Give Back - Community Outreach Series
For those who dream of engineering missions on alien planets, there is no better teacher than experience. Parker Aerospace may not engineer robots to load alien planet samples on rockets and cargo spacecraft for another century. However, this past year Parker was involved in exactly this challenge with FIRST and their annual FIRST Robotics Competition Regional, a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) challenge for students around the world.
While the theme for the challenge rotates, this year the competition was organized around a space exploration concept. Parker is one of many sponsor organizations that include Boeing, Collins Aerospace, 3M, LEGO, NASA, Lockheed Martin, Motorola, Disney, and many others who made this season of FIRST Robotics possible.
Inspiring youth with STEM education
Founded in 1989, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) was created to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. This nonprofit organization designs innovative programs that build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math. Also working in a competitive environment, FIRST makes a point to teach Gracious Professionalism™ as its ethos for interpersonal conduct.
FIRST offers different programs to target many age groups:
The organization has more than 530,000 students, 60,000 teams, and 80 countries that participate annually.
For 2019 the theme was space exploration with “FIRST Launch” with the details of enabling vehicles that work on another. This includes a very detailed set of rules that define parameters for the game, arena, robots, humans, safety, conduct, construction, and more.
For the high school students participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), the competition was named Destination: Deep Space. In this scenario, two competing alliances collect samples on an alien planet. With only 2:30 minutes until liftoff, the alliances must gather as many cargo pods as possible and prepare their spaceships.
This competition uses robots to load a hatch panel at a loading station depot. Six cargo items (orange balls) can be loaded in each of the depots after the hatch panel is installed. Each team may pre-load one hatch panel and a cargo ball, otherwise, these must be retrieved from stations and assembled or collected.
At the beginning of each game, an imaginary sandstorm limits driver visibility, so robots independently follow pre-programmed instructions or are operated by human drivers via video feedback from their driver stations. Alliances can score points during this period by:
At T-minus 2:15 the sandstorm clears, and human operators take control of their robots with full visibility. The alliances continue to score points by:
To make the competition more challenging, the habitat includes an elevated platform that the robot can climb onto at the end of the match. Various bonus points can be scored while penalty points can also be incurred. At T-minus 0 the rockets liftoff and the round ends. The alliance with the highest score at the end of the match wins.
As a sponsor organization, Parker Aerospace was matched with one of the teams, Troy Robotics from Troy High School in Fullerton, California. Parker is a financial sponsor of the team for FIRST Robotics Competition, and also partners with the Troy school to provide a summer internship program for students.
For the last nine years, Troy students have participated over the course of weeks on a range of hands-on engineering projects with Parker Aerospace’s Control Systems Division and, this year, with Parker’s Customer Support Operations. Students have worked on circuit design, coding projects, fixture overhaul, database management, documentation, and software evaluation.
For the FIRST Robotics Competition Regional held at the Orange County Fair & Event Center, 15 employees volunteered this year from within Parker Aerospace for roles such as robot inspector, judge, or scorekeeper. As experienced professionals donating their time for a good cause, they shared their insight as they interacted with students.
Parker Aerospace wishes to give special recognition to team member Jenny Chung for helping to lead Parker’s efforts with FIRST. She first participated in the program as a student and is passionate about the organization because she’s experienced its benefits. For the last 13 years, she has volunteered with FIRST as an emcee, Judge Advisor (leading the judging team), a member of the FIRST Robotics Competition Orange County Regional Planning Committee, plus was a translator for international teams from China competing at the World Championship event.
Additionally, she has served as a mentor to elementary school FIRST Lego League teams and high school FIRST Robotics Competition teams. For her involvement and dedication, Jenny was named the 2019 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year by FIRST for her work in Orange County, California.
Women in STEM panel
Going a step further to share their insight with students, two Parker Aerospace employees participated in a panel discussion about women in STEM. Meghan Boyd is a value stream manager overseeing military flight control actuation and has been with Parker Aerospace for 12 years. Vivien Fang is an engineer managing aftermarket components and has worked with Parker Aerospace for five years.
A total of seven women came together to share their insight and advice from decades of working in aerospace, engineering, and manufacturing for the benefit of the students who are thinking about their future careers. Each panelist talked about her experiences, gave guidance, and took questions from the audience.
Parker Aerospace volunteers
Pictured: Jeremy DeTevis, Tasneem Bhaijee, Anna Alcala, Riza Dayapera, Mohamad “Mo” Dagher, Cynthia Mescher, Josh Bugni, Jeffrey Hsu, Austin Weems, Jenny Chung, Kevin Le, and Reza Jamasebi
This post was contributed by Brian King, eBusiness manager, Parker Aerospace
Related content
Parker Inspires Future Engineers by Supporting FIRST Robotics Program
Students’ Innovative Science Fair Projects Recognized with Engineering Excellence Awards
Corporate and University Partnerships Better Equip Future Engineers
High School Students Shine Bright in Solar Car Challenge
Cleveland Students Start the School Year Off Right With New School Supplies
Since 1979, Parker Aerospace has supported AirVenture, the world’s largest fly-in air show, previously known as the Oshkosh Air Show. It’s now the “Woodstock” of the aviation industry, drawing huge numbers of exhibitors and attendees from all over the world.
The show is organized by the Experimental Aircraft Association or “EAA.” However, EAA might just as well stand for Everyone’s Aviation Association because this US-based event draws so many people from so many different parts of the aviation industry: pilots, mechanics, aircraft enthusiasts, builders of unique aircraft, civil aircraft OEMs, and even kids interested in aviation.
KidVenture is a series of interactive booths within AirVenture where kids learn basic aviation concepts and skills. *** Knapinski, the director of communications at EAA, reports that in 2018 KidVenture had approximately 25,000 young people visit the booths. While they were of all ages, the biggest groups were between seven and 13 years old.
“KidVenture is vitally important not only as a part of AirVenture, but to the future of aviation,”
“One of the best ways to inspire young people in any pursuit is to give them memorable experiences that they keep talking about, especially when they’re learning while having fun. That’s what KidVenture is all about. Kids often don’t have the opportunity to discover aviation and aeronautics through their usual activities, so this gives them the possibility to be open to a whole new area that we hope will spark additional discovery.”
— *** Knapinski, the director of communications at EAA
To give kids a memorable and valuable experience, KidVenture organizers go beyond just showing aircraft and telling kids what aviation is. They engage kids on a deeper level. It’s similar to the old Chinese proverb: Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.
The interactive part of KidVenture is essential to its success.
“Kids (and anybody, really) would find ordinary presentations and demonstrations tedious after a while, especially in an event so full of sensory engagement as AirVenture. Engaging young people by having them put their hands and minds to work is a sure-fire way not only to create fun but also something tangible that kids and their parents often take away as a memory of the event.”
— *** Knapinski, the director of communications at EAA
Parker Aerospace has supported the KidVenture event for the past eight years with funding from both Parker’s Aircraft Wheel and Brake Division and Stratoflex Products Division. Parker’s support includes interactive displays that involve and engage kids of all ages. For the upcoming 2019 event, Parker Aerospace is working on a unique interactive wheel and brake display. It’s a hands-on activity that allows kids to see how the wheel and brake system functions. The display is designed so the kids have to take it apart, remove the wheel lining and brake pads, then reinstall them and put the assembly back together into a functional, working unit.
In all, there are two dozen interactive stations on the airport grounds for kids to play with. If the kids attend all of them and are successfully signed off at each station, they are then eligible to receive a complete set of tools at the end of the process. This gift for kids is intended to help them remember what they learned at the event and get them involved in aviation at an early age.
KidVenture also encourages and enables parents to hang out with their children for the entire day and share in the activities at each station. In this way, it’s not just an event for kids. It also becomes a special time for parents to bond with their children.
“Our participation in the show is an opportunity to get in front of people and reinforce our brand,”
“We get a chance to remind people that the engineering, design, manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and other aspects of our products are all carried out right here in America, by Americans.”
— Vern Rodgers, business development and marketing representative at Parker’s Aircraft Wheel and Brake Division
Parker Aerospace is also sponsoring a Young Eagles gathering in 2019. The money donated for this activity goes to general aviation airports and helps teach young people about how to maintain aircraft. Wheel and brake products are also donated to the event’s aerial acrobatic performers.
Parker Aerospace employees attending the show often answer questions, go to the airplane parking lot with customers, diagnose issues, provide consultation, and offer other services for the AirVenture attendees who own aircraft, as well as pilots and mechanics at the event. Employees of Parker’s Aircraft Wheel and Brake Division use this opportunity to get to know the customers who use Parker products.
“Because aircraft parts are normally sold through Parker distributors, this event provides an important opportunity to meet our customers face to face,”
“Success in this business is built on trust. It helps establish a higher comfort level with customers when you can shake hands and look them in the eyes. You can’t do that in an email, a text, or even over the phone. Meeting with top management from our OEM customers in this setting can also open up conversations about their new projects and new applications of Parker products.”
— Vern Rodgers, business development and marketing representative at Parker’s Aircraft Wheel and Brake Division
2019 is the AirVenture show’s 50th anniversary. This year, AirVenture is also dubbed the “Year of the Fighter.” Parker Aerospace has products on nearly every fighter jet in operation around the world today, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 (arguably the world’s most advanced fighter jet after the F-22). To learn more about Parker’s role in supporting this aircraft, click here to read about Parker on the F-35 fighter.
Coincidentally, 2019 is also the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, which happened in July of 1969. This moon landing marked the first time that humans landed on the moon and returned safely. Apollo 11 command module pilot Michael Collins will be the featured guest as EAA’s AirVenture 2019 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the mission. Parker Aerospace had more than 120 components on each of the Apollo missions.
This post was contributed by Sandi Schickel, eBusiness manager for Parker Aerospace’s Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division.
Related content
Parker’s Support of the Apollo Lunar Missions
F-35 Lightning II Fuel and Inerting System Powered by Parker Aerospace
High School Students Shine Bright in Solar Car Challenge
Helping Imagination Take Flight
Celebrating 50 years since humankind’s lunar landing and our significant role in that achievement
On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 launched and on July 20 was the first landing of humans on the lunar surface with Parker Aerospace making the journey possible - from blast off to first step, and the return. Parker equipment provided vital functions on all three booster stages (first, second, third stage), the Command Service Module (CSM), the Lunar Module (LM), and even the astronauts’ suits.
From the development of the program, the early tests of Apollo 7 and Apollo 8, the landmark Apollo 11 landing, and through the final Apollo 17 Mission, Parker played an important role in the historic events. Parker Aerospace is proud of the important role played by our engineers and equipment.
During prelaunch operations and during the mission, Parker made sure the crew and spacecraft were safe. The ground support shutoff valves located in the launch pad complex directed liquid oxygen and fuel to the various Apollo systems. Eight six-inch ball valves were used during the fuel and oxygen fill operations of the first stage. The valves were also used to drain the vehicle in the event of an extended hold condition on the mission. Ten eight-inch pre-valves were used during the fuel and oxygen fill operations for the vehicle second stage
Fluid systems throughout the Apollo vehicle relied on specially designed Parker seals and fittings to prevent leaks that could cause serious mission delay. Critical sealing applications, such as the vehicle observation windows, relied on Parker seals to safeguard the astronauts. High-precision tube fittings, designed to meet exacting NASA specifications, were used throughout the vehicle to ensure leakproof, dependable connections on essential systems.
Beginning with ignition through the entire flight of the first stage, the four-inch ball valves circulated and maintained liquid oxygen (LOX) for the engines while the gaseous oxygen (GOX) flow control valve maintained a constant tank pressure during the first-stage operation.
After burnout and separation of the first stage, the accumulator reservoir manifold assembly (ARMA) provided the hydraulic energy for positioning the second-stage outer engines to assure proper mission trajectory. One hydrogen control valve and one oxygen control valve regulated the second-stage hydrogen and oxygen flow to the propellant tanks to maintain a constant propellant pressure during operation. Propellant shutoff valves were installed in each of the second-stage engine inlet lines. These valves would close in the event of an emergency, to shut off fuel to the malfunctioning engine.
When the vehicle reached an altitude of approximately 108 miles above the Earth, the second-stage separated, and the third-stage ignited. At the time of ignition, the LOX check valves served a vital function by preventing liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen backflow into their respective supply tanks. Further protection of the all-important third stage was assured with the use of highly reliable hydraulic check valves throughout the hydraulic system.
During the entire mission, from countdown to separation of the service module prior to re-entry, the Apollo program utilized the Parker fuel cell reactant supply modules and oxygen and hydrogen modules. The fuel cell reactant supply modules controlled the flow of hydrogen and oxygen to the fuel cells, which furnished complete mission electrical power. The oxygen and hydrogen modules controlled the temperature and pressure in the oxygen and hydrogen storage tanks. Oxygen used for cabin pressurization was also controlled by this module.
The oxygen control assembly performed vital pressure control through the entire mission until lift-off from the lunar surface.
The assembly also controlled the oxygen used to pressurize the LM cabin and the astronauts’ suits. In addition, the oxygen control assembly was used to fill the astronauts’ backpacks for their lunar exploration. This assembly received high-pressure oxygen from the LM supply tanks and regulated the pressure to a usable level.
When the moment arrived for the astronauts to leave the lunar parking orbit and proceed to the surface of the moon, a command was given for Lunar Module (LM) separation from the Command Service Module (CSM). From here, the reaction control system (RCS) maneuvered using reaction control valves that were used to turn the LM to the descent attitude and control steering and attitude during descent to the surface of the moon. These valves were also critical to astronaut safety during ascent from the lunar surface and during hover, rendezvous, and docking maneuvers.
The descent engine was used to slow the LM from the lunar parking orbit and guide it to the lunar surface. The engine propellant tanks were pressurized by a Parker pressurization system. This system was comprised of a helium pressure-reducing valve, quad-check valve, burst disc, and relief valve. The helium pressure-reducing valve regulated the LM high-pressure helium, which forced the fuel and oxidizer into the engine.
The quad-check valve, used in both descent and ascent operations, prevented any backflow that might allow mixing of propellants. The burst disc acted as a seal, preventing propellant liquid or vapors from reaching the relief valve and, causing a corrosive reaction, worked in conjunction with the relief valve to prevent over pressurization of the system.
When the LM was unpressurized or the space suit umbilical cord was used, a suit loop pressure switch was incorporated in the system to assure maximum astronaut safety in the event of a torn suit.
Apollo 11’s touchdown on the moon was famously televised on July 20 and the post-lunar landing conversation between astronauts, “Cycle that Parker Valve,” was heard across the world. These valves were used to isolate the propellant feed systems, which were cycled open and closed immediately after landing. For years after, Parker Hannifin President and CEO Pat Parker would jokingly thank NASA and the astronauts for helping with Parker’s first global television advertisement from the moon.
Parker’s early work on the frontiers of space technology, made possible by our expert engineers and technicians, played a key role in the design, production, and flight of Apollo spacecraft. Parker equipment directly supported the success of Apollo missions as well as its astronaut’s safety.
The people of Parker Hannifin felt enormous pride during the years of the Apollo’s design, production, and flight. Today, remembering the part Parker played in this incredible achievement, we are still proud and humbled to be part of history.
This post was contributed by Brian King, eBusiness manager for Parker Aerospace.
Related content
Eighty Years of Innovation at Parker Aircraft Wheel & Brake
5,000-psi High-Pressure Hydraulic Systems Reduce Aircraft Weight
Hydraulic Powerpacks Offer Size and Weight Advantages for Aircraft OEMs
Additive Manufacturing Adds Value for Aerospace Fluid Conveyance
Optical-Based System Advances Aircraft Engine Pressure Monitoring
Additive Manufacturing and Engineering Solve Aerospace Challenges
New Composite Engine Reservoirs Save Weight and Lower Emissions
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.
[ add video in YouTube frame, like prior blogs, once video is ready ]
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
Related content
Making Light Work of High-Pressure Aerospace Fluid Conveyance Applications
Keeping Aircraft Fleets Healthy Around the Clock and Around the Globe
Operational Initiatives Target Zero Defects and On-Time Delivery
China Joint Ventures Respond to Current and Future Growth Needs in the Asia-Pacific Region
Global Reach Expanded with Around-the-Clock Service and Pooling Centers
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.
Related content
5,000-psi High-Pressure Hydraulic Systems Reduce Aircraft Weight
Hydraulic Powerpacks Offer Size and Weight Advantages for Aircraft OEMs
Additive Manufacturing Adds Value for Aerospace Fluid Conveyance
Optical-Based System Advances Aircraft Engine Pressure Monitoring
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.
Related content
5,000-psi High-Pressure Hydraulic Systems Reduce Aircraft Weight
Hydraulic Powerpacks Offer Size and Weight Advantages for Aircraft OEMs
Customizable Aircraft Fuel Pumps Reduce Cost and Boost Reliability
Optical-Based System Advances Aircraft Engine Pressure Monitoring
Additive Manufacturing Adds Value for Aerospace Fluid Conveyance
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.
Related content
Eighty Years of Innovation at Parker Aircraft Wheel & Brake
Hydraulic Powerpacks Offer Size and Weight Advantages for Aircraft OEMs
5,000-psi High-Pressure Hydraulic Systems Reduce Aircraft Weight
Follow Parker Hannifin on social media:
