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