Hydraulic systems are a widely used, reliable, and cost effective method of creating motion and actuation for various components. They can be utilized for car braking systems, aircraft flight control systems, industrial machinery, and much more. Simply put, hydraulic systems work by pressurizing liquid in an enclosed space, which in turn transfers that pressure equally through the system which can be used to perform various tasks. With hydraulics, it is important that that pressure remains equal and there is a backup in case of leakage or failure. To prevent and solve this problem, many hydraulic systems utilize hydraulic bypass valves.
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When you’re dealing with complex, highly-engineered, and expensive aircraft, it is important that every single piece does its job. From the engine down to the smallest fastener, each part has an important role to play. Bolts, a small but critical fastener in the construction of any aircraft, are no different. The stress of flight means that non-aviation grade hardware simply doesn’t do the trick. It has neither the strength nor the corrosion resistance to work effectively in flight. This has required aviation authorities to develop strenuous standards for aircraft bolts, as well as an exhaustive description and coding system.
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The O-ring is a manufacturing component that has been around for over a century. Thanks to their design simplicity and practical nature, O-rings remain in widespread use to this day. Their function is as simple as their design, which serves to create a tight, leak-proof seal between two components. They are very similar to gaskets, although O-rings are normally used in higher-pressure environments where other seals parts would fail. O-rings work by sitting between two other pieces that will be connected. The O-ring lies in the connective joint between the two parts where, once under pressure, will shift around causing it to more tightly hold onto the inner and outer walls of the pieces it’s connecting.
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Bearings are used in many of the machines we use on a daily basis. If bearings didn’t exist, we would be constantly replacing parts, which would inevitably slow down productivity. The bearing parts were designed with a simple concept in mind— objects can roll better than they can slide. Bearing design is based on the magnitude and direction of the load that they are intended to support.
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Bevel gears are gears where the axes of two shafts intersect, and the tooth-bearing faces of the gears themselves are conically shaped. Bevel gears are typically mounted on shafts that are 90 degrees apart but can be designed to function at other angles as well. One of the most common use of bevel gears is in the differential of a vehicle, where it transmits power generated by the power engine to the vehicle’s wheels.
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To understand how an airplane’s wings keep it in the sky, we first have to understand the forces influencing all aircraft - thrust, drag, lift, and weight. Thrust is the force that propels the aircraft forward provided by its engines, both piston and jet turbine. Drag is the force trying to pull the aircraft back, generated as the aircraft displaces the air in front and around it. Lift is the force generated by the airplane’s wings and the flow of air over and below them, while finally weight is the force of the Earth’s gravity trying to pull the plane back to the ground.
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Vehicles go, but how do they stop? What components are involved in bringing a moving object to a halt? The answer lies within the aircraft braking system, specifically, brake calipers. Brake calipers play a crucial role in allowing your vehicle to stop and contribute to the overall safety of its operation. Understanding how they function can be essential in comprehending how the differing systems of your car.
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Helicopters typically have a 14- or 28-volt direct current electrical system. A volt is a unit of measurement that expresses the capability of the force that pushes electrical energy. Amperes are the unit of measurement for a current and describe the measure of an electrical quantity that is available in the system. Small piston-powered helicopters use an engine driven alternator because they are light, low maintenance, and produce a uniform electric output— even at low RPMs. In a turbine powered helicopter, starter/ generator systems are used. Once the engine is started, the battery powers the starter, which turns the engine. After this initial jump, the generator is powered by the engine.
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Helicopters fly using the same aerodynamic concepts that airplanes use; they use an airfoil to generate lift. The difference is that helicopters generate vertical thrust while aircraft generate horizontal thrust. When an airplane moves forward, the air flows across the wing and produces downwash which creates lift; the airplane has to gain enough speed for this force to overcome weight. When helicopter blades, or airfoils, begin spinning, it produces downwash which then creates lift. Speed is an important factor in generating enough force to overcome the weight in a helicopter as well. Vertical thrust allows a helicopter to take off vertically and hover.
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ATA chapters are highly valuable to aircraft repair stations. Each code is designated to a specific part of the aircraft. These codes were originally made by the Air Transport Association (ATA) in 1956; they have seen been adopted by all major airlines and OEMs. The ATA chapters are designed with 3 sets of two-digit numbers, typically in an AB-CD-EF format. The first two digits are the most important.
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