Hydraulic System and Components Matthew Skelton

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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University *

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270

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Mechanical Engineering

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Jan 9, 2024

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Hydraulic System and Components Matthew A. Skelton Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University AMNT 270: Airframe Structures & Application Professor Brandon Gelb December 4, 2022 1

From small to large aircraft hydraulic systems are in use to assist the pilot in controlling the aircraft. Smaller and light aircraft may only use hydraulics for braking while larger aircraft will use hydraulics to help in the control of flight controls, sure beats the days of flying using only wires and cables. Hydraulic systems are comprised of many different components and require safety precautions when performing maintenance due to the fluid and the pressure the fluid is under which ranges from about 3000 psi to 5000 psi for most aircraft (Skybrary, n.d.). There are three major components to a hydraulic system and they are the hydraulic pump, motor and the system plumbing (Skybrary, n.d.). The pump, in which its name implies, pumps the fluid into the system to create the fluid pressure. The next component is the hydraulic motor which converts the pressure from the fluid into a mechanical output, an example of this would be the motor on the vertically driven landing gear found on a C-130 (Skybrary, n.d.). Now the most complex part of the system is the plumbing. The plumbing is comprised of a reservoir, filters, shut off valves, control valves, pressure relief valves, hydraulic fuses, and accumulators (Skybrary, n.d.). A reservoir is used to hold an optimized amount of fluid needed to provide a ready source to pumps and the system, this will vary with aircraft needs. Filters are used to protect the system and keep contaminants out of the fluid and system. Shut off valves are typically found near the engine firewall and are used in the event of an engine fire to cut off fluid supply and prevent the fluid from catching fire. Control valves control where the fluid goes, a component such as the flaps will have an up and downside to the motor and depending on what the input is the control valve will send fluid to the correct side to move flaps (Skybrary, n.d.). Pressure relief valves are in place to ensure system pressure does not exceed what the system can handle, this is important because damage to the system, aircraft and surrounding personnel could be serious is the system reach too high of pressure. Now if system pressure becomes too low then 2

a hydraulic fuse in a line would kick in and cut off supply to the line to allow pressure to build back up for components that are more essential. The hydraulic system is complex and consists of numerous parts and components that allow for its operation. The maintenance required on the system requires the upmost care and attention and there are multiple risk factors. Hydraulic fluid alone is not only very flammable, but it also poses health concerns due to its chemical properties. Aside from the risk potentials associated with the fluid there is also the concern of ensuring that system pressure has been depleted before removing and working on components as a pressurized system would cause potential major injuries. 3

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References Skybrary Aviation Safety. (n.d.). Hydraulic Systems. SKYbrary Aviation Safety. Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://www.skybrary.aero/articles/hydraulic-systems. 4