Hydraulic and Fuel Systems

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Liberty University *

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AER230

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Mechanical Engineering

Date

Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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4

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Justin Cobb Airline and Systems Selection AER305 CAU
Most airplanes make use of some form of hydraulic component. This includes most general aviation aircraft, as well as larger and more complex airplanes. For instance, hydraulic systems are commonly used on certain types of aircraft, such as the nose wheel steering, pitch control surfaces, and windshield wipers. Besides these, hydraulic systems can also be utilized for other functions such as the brake pads, flight control surfaces and spoilers. A hydraulic system is composed of a set of mechanical components. These include a pressure generator, a hydraulic pump, and a motor. The hydraulic fluid is then transferred to the various parts of the aircraft through a pipe known as the "plumbing." Although fluid is the type of medium through which hydraulic fluid is transported, it is generally not used in the operation of aircraft. Due to the high pressure and environmental conditions that are required in order for a hydraulic system to operate properly, it is not widely used. Some of the characteristics of hydraulic fluid include its high flash point, high viscosity and thermal capacity. In aviation applications, there are various types of hydraulic pumps that are powered by different sources of energy. A gear pump is a type of mechanical device that uses meshing gears to move a specific volume of fluid per rotation. Although they can be commonly used on low pressure systems, they are not suitable for demanding applications. A type of pump known as a fixed displacement piston pump is commonly used to pressurize a fluid. It works by moving a specific amount of fluid throughout a stroke. A type of pump commonly used on large aircraft is known as a variable displacement piston pump. This type of pump can compensate for system changes by increasing or decreasing its output. This ensures that the pressure in the system remains constant.
The complexity and size of fuel systems differ significantly from aircraft to aircraft. In most basic terms, a fuel system consists of a single gravity feed tank that is connected to the engine. In modern multi-engine airplanes, multiple fuel tanks may be located in the fuselage or wing. Each tank will have its own internal fuel pumps, which will allow it to provide the necessary fuel to the engines. It can also be equipped with valves and plumbing to allow for defueling and refueling. In small airplanes, a single fuel tank is typically used. On newer planes, two fuel tank systems are commonly used. These systems require additional components to operate properly, and the location of these tanks can vary. Airplanes with this type of fuel system feature single-point refueling or defueling. This type of system allows the aircraft to have a single point of refueling and defueling. All of the tanks are connected to a single point using a manifold. In order to ensure that the fuel is still accessible in the event that a single fuel pump fails, multiple fuel pumps are placed in each tank. They usually have an indicating and warning system also. Both these systems serve a vital role in aircraft performance and safety. They both have fail safe equipment to ensure the fluid does not get contaminated and exposed to outside temperatures. Both systems have an alternate pump in case the primary equipment does not work properly to ensure performance.
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REFERENCES Aircraft Fuel Systems (2019) SKYbrary Aviation Safety . Available at: https://www.skybrary.aero/articles/aircraft-fuel-systems (Accessed: January 15, 2023). Hydraulic Systems (2019) SKYbrary Aviation Safety . Available at: https://www.skybrary.aero/articles/hydraulic-systems (Accessed: January 15, 2023).