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2
Introduction
The term hydraulics refers to the power produced in
moving liquids.

Hydraulic power in the form of water wheels and other
simple devices has been in use for centuries, but it wasnt
until the 17
th
Century that the principles of hydraulics were
formulated into scientific law.

Modern hydraulic systems are defined as;

The use of confined liquids to transmit power, multiply
force or produce motion efficiently.


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Introduction
As airplanes grow in size, so
do the forces needed to move the
flight controls thus the need to
transmit larger amount of power
Ram Air
Turbine Pump
Hydraulic
Storage/Conditioning
Engine
Pump
Electric
Generator
Electric
Motorpump
Flight Control
Actuators
Air Turbine
Pump
Hydraulic system
transmits and controls
power from engine to
flight control actuators
2
Pilot inputs are
transmitted to remote
actuators and amplified
1
3
Pilot commands move
actuators with little effort
4
Hydraulic power is
generated mechanically,
electrically and
pneumatically
5
Pilot Inputs
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Controlling Aircraft Motion
Primary Flight Controls
Definition of Airplane Axes
1 Ailerons control roll
2 Elevators control pitch
3 Rudder controls yaw
1
3 2
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Controlling Aircraft Motion
Secondary Flight Controls
High Lift Devices:
Flaps (Trailing Edge), slats (LE Flaps)
increase area and camber of wing
permit low speed flight
Flight Spoilers / Speed Brakes: permit steeper
descent and augment ailerons at low speed
when deployed on only one wing
Ground Spoilers: Enhance deceleration on
ground (not deployed in flight)
Trim Controls:
Stabilizer (pitch), roll and rudder (yaw) trim to
balance controls for desired flight condition
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Example of Flight Controls (A320)
REF: A320 FLIGHT CREW OPERATING MANUAL
CHAPTER 1.27 - FLIGHT CONTROLS
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
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HYDR. MOTOR
TORQUE TUBE
GEARBOX
Typical Users of Hydraulic Power
Landing gear
Extension, retraction, locking, steering, braking
Primary flight controls
Rudder, elevator, aileron, active (multi-function)
spoiler
Secondary flight controls
high lift (flap / slat), horizontal stabilizer, spoiler, thrust
reverser
Utility systems
Cargo handling, doors, ramps, emergency electrical
power generation
Flap Drive Spoiler Actuator
Landing Gear
Nosewheel Steering
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Sources of Hydraulic Power
Ram Air Turbine
AC Electric Motorpump
Maintenance-free
Accumulator
Engine Driven Pump
Mechanical
Engine Driven Pump (EDP) - primary hydraulic power source,
mounted directly to engines on special gearbox pads
Power Transfer Unit mechanically transfers hydraulic
power between systems
Electrical
Pump attached to electric motors, either AC or DC
Generally used as backup or as auxiliary power
Electric driven powerpack used for powering actuation zones
Used for ground check-out or actuating doors when
engines are not running
Pneumatic
Bleed Air turbine driven pump used for backup power
Ram Air Turbine driven pump deployed when all engines
are inoperative and uses ram air to drive the pump
Accumulator provides high transient power by releasing
stored energy, also used for emergency and parking brake
Power Transfer Unit
Pascals Law
The French mathematician & philosopher, Blaise Pascal, discovered that
liquids cannot be compressed.

His work on hydraulics led to him publishing the following law concerning
confined fluids;

"a change in the pressure of an enclosed incompressible fluid is conveyed
undiminished to every part of the fluid and to the surfaces of its container."

In other words, if a pressure is applied on a confined fluid, this pressure is
transmitted in all directions with equal force on equal areas.

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The Law in Practice
A full bottle of washing up fluid has a 1
Sq.Ins opening.

If we then apply 10 lbs of force through
the cap.

Then 10 lbs of force would be
equally applied to all sides of the bottle
by the fluid in the bottle

The fluid pressure within the bottle is
expressed as 10 psi (pounds per
square inch).

10 lbs
1 Sq.Ins
10 psi
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Basic Hydraulic System
A Basic hydraulic system provides a mechanical
advantage similar to that of a simple lever.







By using cylinders of different sizes a Multiplication of
Forces can be achieved
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Multiplication of Forces
In the previous example, the small force of 100 lbs exerted on the 2 inch
diameter cylinder was seen to move the large weight of 900 lbs on the 6 inch
diameter cylinder.

The distance the 900 lbs will travel is inversely proportional to the distance the
applied force travels.

This means that if we move the piston in the 2 inch diameter cylinder a distance of 1
inch, the distance that the piston in the 6 Ins diameter cylinder will move is 1/9
th
of an
inch.

As the pressure within both cylinders must be the same, Pascals Law shows
the way in which the input force can be multiplied as an output force just by
varying the area of the pistons!
General Specifications
Several different Fluids
MIL-H-5606, MIL-H-83282, and MIL-H-
81019
General Temperature Ranges : -65F to 295F
Pressures:
Airbus A380 has 5000psi hydraulic system
Typical commercial airline pressure is 3000 psi

http://aerospace.eaton.com/news.asp?articledate=06/01/03
&NewsCommand=ViewMonth
http://www.tpub.com/content/aviation/14018/css/14018_17
8.htm

Problems with Hydraulics
Heavy
High maintenance
Adds cost and creates a logistics problem
Requires space (pumps, hydraulic lines, etc.)
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Principal System Interfaces
Design Considerations

Hydraulic System

Hydraulic power from EDP
Nacelle / Engine
Pad speed as a function of
flight regime idle to take-off
Landing Gear
Power on Demand
Flow under normal and all
emergency conditions
retract / extend / steer
Electric motors, Solenoids
Electrical System
Electrical power variations
under normal and all
emergency conditions
(MIL-STD-704)
Flight Controls
Power on Demand
Flow under normal and
all emergency conditions
priority flow when LG,
flaps are also
demanding flow
Avionics
Signals from pressure,
temperature, fluid quantity sensors
Signal to solenoids, electric motors
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Why use Hydraulics?
Effective and efficient method of power amplification
Small control effort results in a large power output
Precise control of load rate, position and magnitude
Infinitely variable rotary or linear motion control
Adjustable limits / reversible direction / fast response
Ability to handle multiple loads simultaneously
Independently in parallel or sequenced in series
Smooth, vibration free power output
Little impact from load variation
Hydraulic fluid transmission medium
Removes heat generated by internal losses
Serves as lubricant to increase component life
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Typical Hydraulic System
Although the layout and complexity of a hydraulic system
will vary based on its primary function, the principles and
components of the system will be the same.

Typically, a hydraulic system will consist of;

The Hydraulic Fluid

A Reservoir

A Hydraulic Pump

Hydraulic Fluid Lines

A number of Hydraulic Valves

A number of Hydraulic Actuators
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Typical Layout
The diagram below shows a typical layout of components
in a Hydraulic System.
POWER
Reservoir
Pump
Selector
Valve
Actuator
L
o
w

P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

R
e
t
u
r
n

Pressure Line
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Hydraulic Fluid
The fluid used within the hydraulic system can be almost any liquid.

However, the most common hydraulic fluids contain specially compounded
petroleum oils.

These lubricate and protect the system components from corrosion.
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Reservoir
The reservoir is no more than a tank that acts as a storehouse for the fluid.

The reservoir also acts as a heat dissipater ensuring that the oil remains at
the optimum temperature.

If the oil gets too hot, its properties change and the fluid will become less viscous.

If the properties of the hydraulic fluid change, this can affect the responsiveness of the
system.
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The Hydraulic Pump
The hydraulic pump allows the conversion of mechanical energy into hydraulic
energy by forcing the hydraulic fluid, under pressure, from the reservoir,
through a filter into the system.

In a piston-engine and gas-turbine powered aircraft, the pump is usually
mounted to the engine gearbox.

The type of pump used will be dependent on the application, but Gear
Pumps, Vane Pumps and Piston Pumps are the three types of pumps
typically utilised.
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Hydraulic Fluid Lines
The hydraulic fluid lines transport the hydraulic fluid to and from the pump
through to all the components of the hydraulic system.

These lines can be rigid metal tubes, or flexible hose assemblies.

The fluid lines can transport fluid either under pressure or via vacuum (i.e.
suction).
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Hydraulic Selector Valves
The hydraulic selector valves are used to control the pressure, direction and
flow rate of the hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system.

There are a number of different types of selector valve in use a common
type is the Open Centre Spool Valve.
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Hydraulic Actuators
The hydraulic actuator converts hydraulic energy into
mechanical energy to do work.

The actuators usually take the form of hydraulic cylinders
with a piston that allows the hydraulic ram to move in and
out.





In an airframe, they will be used to move the flight
controls, lower and retract the undercarriage, deploy the
high lift devices, etc.