Search Results

The concept of utilizing higher operating pressures for aircraft hydraulic system allows significant reductions in both weight (up to 30%) and volume (up to 40%) over currently used 3000 psi systems. The development of aircraft Lightweight Hydraulic Systems has been an ongoing Navy Research and Development program for over 12 years and is being conducted by the Naval Air Development Center at Warminster, PA. Early in the program, based on considerable theoretical and empirical data, a selection of 8000 psi was determined to be the best practical level to operate an aircraft hydraulic system. This paper discussed developments and results of evaluation of Lightweight Hydraulic Systems during the early tests, the System Compatiblity Tests and the Full-Scale Similator A-7E hydraulic system tests all of which were conducted at Rockwell - North American Aircraft Operations - Columbus.

This paper discusses the development of 8000 psi aircraft lightweight hydraulic systems as compared to the present 3000 psi systems. The concept of utilizing higher operating pressures for aircraft hydraulic system provides for significant reductions in both weight and volume. The power level of hydraulic systems in military aircraft has risen from less than 10 hp in the early 1940s to nearly 300 on the Navy's modern F-14 fighter, 500 on the SST Concorde, and 1000 on the Air Force's B-1 bomber. With considerable theoretical and empirical data available, a selection of 8000 psi was determined to be the best practical level to operate an aircraft hydraulic system. The development of aircraft Lightweight Hydraulic Systems (LHS) has been an ongoing Navy R&D program for the past 10 years and is being funded by the Naval Air Development Center (NADC) at Warminster, PA.

This paper describes the flight testing of an 8000 psi Lightweight Hydraulic System. The objective was to reduce weight and space requirements of the hydraulic system in future, high density Navy aircraft. An 8000 psi Lateral Control System was installed in a T-2C (basic Navy trainer) airplane. Four different pilots evaluated the test installation, accumulating a total of 11.5 flight hours. No malfunctions occurred in the 8000 psi system; pilot comments were favorable. Operational characteristics of the 8000 psi system were very similar to the T-2C 3000 psi lateral control system. The test installation performed exceptionally well; fluid temperatures were nominal, pressure fluctuations were small, fluid particulate generation was low, and component endurance was projected to be satisfactory.