Aircraft Hydraulic Systems

AIAA Design Group II

Basic Hydraulic System

A valve is opened, the hydraulic flows into the actuator and presses against the piston, causing it to move and in turn move the attached control surface

Reference: http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/AERO/Hydr02.htm

General Uses

Used for flight control, actuation of flaps, slats, weapons bays, landing gear, breaks Provides the extra force required to move large control surfaces in heavy aerodynamic loads.

General Specifications

Several different Fluids

MIL-H-5606, MIL-H-83282, and MIL-H81019 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.)

Possible Improvements

Electric Actuators
Consists of a small electric motor, pump and actuator ram requiring about 1 pint of hydraulic fluid Flight tested by NASAs Dryden Flight Research Center on a modified F-18. Provides significant weight savings by eliminating pumps and hydraulic lines Also could decrease required maintenance
Reference: NASA Dryden Flight Research Center. News Release 98-84

Electro Mechanical Actuator

Reference: Air Force Research Laboratory http://www.afrlhorizons.com/Briefs/0006/VA9902.html

Impact on Design

Need to allow sufficient space for required hydraulic systems Weight of the system must be accounted for