Lesson 11: Aircraft

Hydraulic Systems
 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

The Average modern aircraft utilizes hydraulic

systems to operate several systems.

Landing gear
Wing flaps
Speed and wheel brakes
Flight controls
 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

Pascals Law
Pressure exerted on a fluid in an enclosed
container is transmitted equally and
undiminished to all parts of the container and
acts as right angles to the enclosing walls.
 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

Hydrostatic Paradox
The pressure exerted by a column of liquid is
determined by the height of the column and is
independent of its volume.
 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

Neither the shape nor the volume of a container

affects the pressure. Only the height of the column
does this.
 Changes In Velocity and Pressure
(Bernoulli)

When a fluid or gas is supplied at a constant flow

rate through a duct, the sum of the pressure energy
and velocity energy is constant.

If pressure increases, velocity decreases

proportionally or, if pressure decreases, velocity
increases proportionally.

Kinetic Energy = Velocity (Ram Pressure)

Potential Energy = Pressure (Static Pressure)
Changes In Velocity and Pressure
(Bernoulli)
 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

Relationship Between Pressure, Force, And Area

Pressure is a measure of the amount of force

that acts on a unit of area.

Pressure is measured in pounds per square

inch (psi).

Force = Pressure x Area

 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

Relationship Between Pressure, Force, And Area

 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

Relationship Between Area, Distance, And Volume

The area of the piston, the distance it moves,

and the volume of the fluid displaced.

Volume = Area x Distance

 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

Relationship Between Area, Distance, And Volume

 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

Mechanical Advantage In A Hydraulic System

Two major advantages

Ease with which force can be transmitted

over large distances and into sealed
compartments.

Large gain in mechanical advantage made

possible by varying the size of pistons.
 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

Mechanical Advantage In A Hydraulic System

 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

Mechanical Advantage In A Hydraulic System

If a large amount of movement is need but only

a small amount of force we can use a large
piston to drive a smaller one.

The fluid moved by the large piston will enter

the cylinder with the small piston and move it a
distance equal to the volume of fluid divided
by the area of the small piston.
 Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

All hydraulic systems are essentially the same,

whatever their function.

Regardless of application, each hydraulic system

has a minimum number of components, and some
type of hydraulic fluid.
 Hydraulic Fluid

The fluid used in aircraft hydraulic systems is one of

the systems most important parts.

The fluid must flow with a minimum of

opposition.
Must be incompressible
Good lubricating properties
Inhibit corrosion and not attack seals
Must not foam in operation
 Hydraulic Fluid

Some characteristics that must be considered.

Viscosity
Chemical Stability
Flash Point
Fire Point
 Hydraulic Fluid

Viscosity is the internal resistance to flow.

Gasoline flows easily (has a low viscosity)

Tar flows slowly (has a high viscosity)

A satisfactory liquid for a hydraulic system must

have enough body t give a good seal at pumps,
valves and pistons; but it must not be so thick that it
offers excessive resistance to flow.

The average hydraulic liquid has a low viscosity.

 Hydraulic Fluid

Chemical Stability is the ability of the liquid to resist

oxidation and deterioration for long periods.

Excessive temperatures have a great effect on

the life of a liquid.

Liquids may break down if exposed to air,

water, salt, or other impurities.
 Hydraulic Fluid

Flash Point is the temperature at which a liquid gives

off vapor in sufficient quantity to ignite momentarily
when a flame is applied.

High flash point is desirable for hydraulic

fluids.
 Hydraulic Fluid

Fire Point is the temperature at which a substance

gives off vapor in sufficient quantity to ignite and
continue to burn when exposed to a spark or flame.

High fire point is required of desirable

hydraulic fluids.
 Types Of Hydraulic Fluid

Vegetable-base

Mineral-base

Synthetic Fluid
 Types Of Hydraulic Fluid

Mineral-base Fluid
MIL-H-5606 is the most widely used hydraulic
fluid in general aviation aircraft.

Kerosene-type petroleum product.

Dyed red for identification

 Types Of Hydraulic Fluid

Synthetic Fluid

Non-petroleum base hydraulic fluid for use in

high performance piston engine and turbine
powered aircraft.

Most commonly used fluid of this type is

Skydrol

Colored light purple.

 Basic Hydraulic Systems

Open Hydraulic System

 Basic Hydraulic Systems

Closed Hydraulic Systems

 Basic Hydraulic Systems

More modern brake system

Basic Hydraulic Systems
Power-pack Hydraulic System
 Basic Hydraulic Systems

System Components

Reservoirs
Pumps
Selector Valves
Check Valves
Hydraulic Fuses
Accumulators
Actuators
 System Components

Reservoirs

In an in-line reservoir, space is provided in the

reservoir for fluid expansion and the escape of
entrapped air.

Jet aircraft that operate at altitudes where there

is not enough air pressure to assure a positive
feed of fluid to the pump have hydraulic
reservoirs pressurized.
 System Components

Hydraulic reservoir pressurized by hydraulic system

pressure.
 System Components

Pumps

Powered Pumps

Constant displacement moves a specific

volume of fluid each time its shaft turns.

Variable displacement does not move a

constant amount of fluid each revolution,
but only the amount the system will accept.
 System Components

Constant Displacement Pumps

Gear Pump

Gerotor Pump

Vane Pump
 System Components

Gear Pump

Medium volume of fluid

under pressure.
 System Components

Gerotor Pump
 System Components

Vane Pump

Moves a large
volume of fluid
under low pressure
 System Components
Valves

Selector valve
Sequence valve
Priority valve
Pressure Control valves
 Plug-Type Selector Valve

Low pressure
systems
Popper-Type Selector
Sequence Valves
Priority Valves
Hydraulic Fuses
 System Components

Accumulators

All accumulators consist of a high strength

container divided by some form of movable
partition into toe sections, or compartments.

One compartments connected to the hydraulic

pressure manifold, and the other is filled with
compressed air or with nitrogen.
 System Components

Accumulators
 System Components

Actuators

Single-Acting Linear

Double-Acting Unbalanced Linear

Double-Acting Balanced Linear

 System Components

Single-Acting Linear (Brakes)

 System Components

Double-Acting Unbalanced Linear (Landing Gear)

 System Components

Double-Acting Balanced Linear (Flight Controls)