Aerospace hydraulics is the use of hydraulic systems in airplanes, aircrafts and other aerospace vehicles. Hydraulic systems use pressurized fluid to transmit power and motion. They are used in a wide variety of aerospace applications, including:
- Flight controls: Hydraulic systems are used to power the ailerons, elevators, rudder, and other flight control surfaces.
- Landing gear: Hydraulic systems are used to extend and retract the landing gear.
- Brakes: Hydraulic systems are used to apply the brakes on the wheels.
- Steering: Hydraulic systems are used to steer the nose wheel or rudder.
- Utility systems: Hydraulic systems are also used to power other systems on the aircraft, such as the cargo door, the air conditioning system, and the de-icing system.
Aerospace hydraulic systems are designed to be lightweight, reliable, and efficient. They must also be able to operate in a wide range of environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures and altitudes.
An aerospace hydraulic system typically consists of the following components:
- Reservoir: Stores the hydraulic fluid.
- Pump: Pressurizes the hydraulic fluid.
- Actuator: Converts the hydraulic fluid pressure into mechanical motion.
- Valve: Controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the actuator.
- Tubing and fittings: Connect the components of the hydraulic system together.
Hydraulic systems offer a number of advantages for aerospace applications, including:
- High power density: Hydraulic systems can transmit a large amount of power with a relatively small volume of fluid.
- Reliability: Hydraulic systems are very reliable and can operate in a wide range of environmental conditions.
- Efficiency: Hydraulic systems are very efficient and can convert a large percentage of the input power into mechanical motion.
- Weight: Hydraulic systems are relatively lightweight, which is important for aerospace applications.
Examples of aerospace hydraulic applications
Here are some examples of how hydraulic systems are used in aerospace applications:
- The ailerons on an airplane are powered by hydraulic actuators. When the pilot moves the aileron control wheel, hydraulic fluid is pumped to the aileron actuators, which causes the ailerons to move up or down.
- The landing gear on an airplane is extended and retracted using hydraulic actuators. When the pilot selects the “gear down” position, hydraulic fluid is pumped to the landing gear actuators, which causes the landing gear to extend.
- The brakes on an airplane are applied using hydraulic actuators. When the pilot depresses the brake pedals, hydraulic fluid is pumped to the brake actuators, which causes the brakes to clamp down on the wheels.
- The nose wheel on an airplane is steered using a hydraulic actuator. When the pilot turns the steering wheel, hydraulic fluid is pumped to the nose wheel actuator, which causes the nose wheel to turn.
- The cargo door on an airplane is opened and closed using hydraulic actuators. When the pilot selects the “cargo door open” position, hydraulic fluid is pumped to the cargo door actuators, which causes the cargo door to open.
Aerospace hydraulics is a critical technology for the aerospace industry. Hydraulic systems are used in a wide variety of aerospace applications, and they play an important role in the safety and performance of aircraft and other aerospace vehicles.