ASAP NSN HUB Blog

At the high altitudes in which aircraft fly, the air surrounding the plane is much cooler and thinner than at ground level, making it unsafe to breathe. Nevertheless, while some oxygen tanks are stored on board for passengers that require it, the vast majority of air in the cabin is sourced from outside the plane. However, to avoid the issue associated with breathing the thin air at high altitudes, the outside air is warmed and pressurized before entering the cabin. To maximize efficiency, this entire process is facilitated by the jet turbines, which naturally release hot, pressurized air as a byproduct. To learn more about cabin pressurization, read on as we discuss the ways in which this process supports modern aviation.

Why Cabin Pressurization is Important

As stated before, cabin pressurization is highly important to the safety of all on board an aircraft. Our bodies are designed to function on ground level where the concentration of oxygen in the air is generally between 15% and 20%, such as in the areas where most people live. Conversely, at 30,000 feet, the cruising altitude for most commercial aircraft, the percentage of oxygen is a mere 6.3%. When exposed to air such as this, which not only has far less oxygen, but also a much lower atmospheric pressure, our bodies experience hypoxia. Characterized by a below-normal level of oxygen in your blood, hypoxia can cause confusion, shortness of breath, irregular heart rate, and more that can ultimately lead to irreparable harm. With that said, too much pressure is also a concern. According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airplane cabins must be pressurized to no more than that of 8,000 feet. If the cabin is pressurized beyond this point, other types of injuries may occur.

The Mechanics of Cabin Pressurization

Airplanes are able to achieve the appropriate amount of cabin pressurization by pumping fresh air into the cabin while simultaneously releasing stale air. As such, aircraft typically have a valve near the tail, known as the outflow valve, which is only opened when the cabin pressure increases beyond the limit at which the structure is rated. At the opposite end of the system, fresh air is brought in via the jet turbines. As these large turbines spin, they heat and compress atmospheric air to be mixed with atomized fuel and ignited. However, some of this hot, condensed air is siphoned away into the body of the plane to both heat the wings and fuselage, as well as to provide pressurized air to the cabin. As the plane flies, it is constantly taking in and releasing precise amounts of fresh and stale air to maintain the proper cabin pressure. Not only does this setup regulate cabin pressure, but it also ensures the cabin air is fresh as stale air can cause problems by itself. If the air inside of the cabin is never changed, passengers will be more likely to spread transmittable illnesses, such as viral and bacterial infections.

Conclusion

When considering the effects of breathing the thin air found at cruising altitudes, it is clear that without the cabin pressurization advancements we have achieved, aviation never would have made it to the level we have reached today. As such, it will always be important for plane owners and operators to maintain these systems to the best of their ability. Whether you require cabin pressurization system parts or other aircraft components, ASAP NSN Hub has you covered. Explore our inventory of aviation-grade items at your leisure or request a quote for your comparisons today on any item(s) of interest using any Request for Quote (RFQ) form on our site. Partnered with a wide network of supply locations, you can always count on us for convenient fulfillment solutions that can match your budget, operational requirements, and time constraints with ease.

Modern turbine engines are powerful apparatuses, capable of compressing and igniting fuel-and-air mixtures for the means of achieving propulsion and heavier-than-air flight. As ignition and combustion will constantly be occurring within a turbine engine during standard operations, such assemblies regularly heat up to high temperatures that must be controlled for the safety of the system and its surrounding components. To mitigate intense levels of heat, turbine or jet engine assemblies feature reliable cooling systems.

While piston engines often have an easy time remaining cool as a result of their cyclical combustion process, turbine engines are more complex and they are continuously igniting mixtures. One major way in which turbine engines may be cooled is by passing air through the internal section of the engine. While some of this air is used to create the fuel-and-air mixture, a significant portion is for cooling. Without this air, turbine assemblies would quickly reach temperatures surpassing 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, the cooling air ensures that hot sections can remain within a safe range of 1,500 and 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit.

In general, exterior sections of the aircraft jet engine will be cooler than interior ones, and this is due to the aforementioned supply of cooling air. Nevertheless, heat will transfer toward the outer sections of the engine as a result of metals and their heat conductivity. As a result, it is important to note that the areas around the turbine tend to be the hottest.

In order for the air flowing through the turbine to effectively cool assemblies, it is passed through combustion-chamber liners. As fuel-and-air mixtures are ignited, they will create extremely hot exhaust gasses which are harnessed for power. Before exhaust gasses reach the turbine blades that will take their kinetic energy, they are mixed with air to reduce temperatures to a safe level. Additionally, a number of cooling-air inlets may be situated around the exterior of the engine, allowing air to cool the turbine case, bearings, turbine nozzle, and other such elements. Once air has been spent, it will be mixed into the stream of exhaust that leaves the engine out of the back.

In many cases, powerplants are separated into zones which are isolated by fireproof bulkheads and seals. While this protects sensitive components from high amounts of heat, it also permits increased temperature control, as calibrated airflow can be supplied to each zone as required. To prevent pressure from becoming too high, pressure relief doors may be installed. 

Alongside having separate engine zones with calibrated airflow, turbine engines will also take advantage of reliable insulation blankets. These are usually situated around the exhaust duct or afterburner for the means of mitigating the chance of fuel or oil coming into contact with hot surfaces. Many insulation blankets will be made from fiberglass materials for their low conductance with aluminum foil acting as a radiation shield. While present on a wide variety of aircraft, it is most common to find insulation blankets on installations with tail pipes, long exhaust sections, etc.

If you own and/or operate an aircraft and require various jet engine parts for your operations, look no further than ASAP NSN Hub. Owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we provide customers access to an unrivaled inventory consisting of over 2 billion items that cater to a diverse set of industries and applications. With our online RFQ services, requesting quotes on items of interest is quick and easy. Simply fill out an online form with as much detail as you can, and a member of our staff will reach out in 15 minutes or less to provide a customized solution that caters to your needs. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our offerings or services, give us a call or email at your earliest convenience. Our team is available at all times for our customers, and we would be more than happy to assist you however we can!

Though they are some of the smallest components on aircraft, the nuts and fasteners serve the major function of holding together all of the components that make up the whole. To meet all these various demands, there are a large number of hardware types employed in airplane construction, including nuts, washers, cotter pins, and more. While many of these items can be found in a hardware store, it is imperative and required that those used on aircraft are aviation grade to ensure that they can withstand the vibrations, pressure changes, temperature shifts, and other harsh conditions that they may be exposed to during each flight. Here, we will be discussing a few of the important nuts and fasteners used in aircraft construction to create a reliable hold.

Washers

As a highly versatile form of hardware, washers are used all over aircraft to add space between components, protect mounting surfaces from damage, and work in conjunction with other fasteners for a stronger attachment. The most simple of these fasteners will consist of a flat metal disc with a round hole through the center, but for more particular applications there are washers with specialized designs. One such example is the lock washer which often has internal or external teeth that add more friction and strength to the fastener. Still other types of washer include those with nylon inserts, a spring-like design, and a convex shape. Washers are very commonly made of metal but they may also be made from plastic, ceramic, or other materials to offer different properties.

Nuts and Cotter Pins

Aside from washers, aviation-grade nuts are also used on aircraft in the thousands to add strength and create a desired head shape for a fastener. Nuts are often used in conjunction with bolts and pins to better distribute their load over a mounting surface, or add a second head onto a rod to hold multiple components in between the two heads. This function is commonly used for securing the metal sheets that are common in plane design. Similar to aircraft washers, aviation-grade nuts also come in a variety of shapes, materials, and sizes that can suit an array of operations. Here are some of the most commonly used:

Plain Nuts

It may not come as a surprise that plain nuts are one of the most commonly used types in aircraft. These fasteners are typically hexagonal with a threaded interior that can be effectively fastened onto a bolt. To install, they must be twisted on a bolt either by hand or by a wrench or similar tool. Often plain nuts are used alongside shake-proof or lock washers so that they have a better resistance to vibration and other mechanical forces occurring on the plane.

Castellated Nuts

As a nut with raised notches cut radially into its face, these nuts are called “castellated or castle nuts” because their overall shape resembles that of a castle’s tower. This particular shape of nut is designed to be used in conjunction with a cotter pin to add security to a bolt. After tightening a castellated nut onto the end of a bolt, a pin is inserted through the center of both the nut and bolt where it will essentially hold the castle nut in place. For this to work, the bolt used must feature a radial hole into which the cotter pin can be inserted.

Self-locking Fiber Nuts

Finally, self-locking fiber nuts are used throughout an aircraft because of their locking ability that guarantees a durable hold. Removing the need for a lock washer, these nuts include a fiber insert which adds much greater friction than metal alone. It should be noted however, that you should not use the same fiber nut over and over as the nylon wears with each tightening and does not give the same locking strength.

Conclusion

Each time that an aircraft flies, the entirety of its components are subjected to extensive vibration and other strain. As such, high quality hardware is essential for keeping aircraft working at their best. On ASAP NSN Hub, we make it easy for you to find the hardware you need at a competitive price and uncompromising aircraft grade quality. Browse our inventory of over 2 billion new and obsolete parts with ease, including aircraft hardware from top manufacturers. Send us an instant Request for Quote (RFQ) form today and receive a competitive quote in 15 minutes or less!

A caster is an assembly that consists of a non-powered wheel and a mount. Generally, caster wheels support and make it easy to maneuver shopping carts, office chairs, and medical beds, among other equipment. Moreover, they are available in numerous designs based on operational requirements, providing mobility options for a wide range of applications.

The applications that utilize caster wheels require precise sizing to accommodate the terrain on which they will be used and the weights they are expected to carry. For instance, heavy loads need casters with thicker wheels, and larger objects need multiple wheels to evenly distribute the loads. Furthermore, caster wheels can be made using varying manufacturing processes, two of which we will outline below.

Metal Plate Cutting Process

In this process, the top plate is cut first. This plate is used to mount the caster underneath the object. To begin, a thick sheet of steel is cut by a CNC, a thermal cutting technique that takes advantage of an ionized gas to cut metal. Instead of mechanically cutting into the metal, this technique uses heat to melt the metal. Then, the fork element is cut.

Usually made of steel coil, forks are the arms that hold each side of the wheel axle. The steel coil is rolled out and fed into a punch press machine which breaks it with the yoke shaped dye. Moreover, the broken yoke shaped pieces are situated onto a forming press that bends the piece into the desired shape and makes a circular groove around the hole in the center.

At this point, the hole is filled with steel ball bearings that enable the yoke to swivel. A steel retainer is fitted to keep the bearings in place, while the grooves of the steel cap are filled with ball bearings. The cap is placed onto a punch press with the yoke on top. The press affixes the cap to the yoke’s retainer, so that the ball bearings are wedged in between. Once the top plate has been riveted to the yoke, a steel seal must be put over the retainer and locked into position with a pneumatic press.

Rubber or Nylon Extrusion

The next machining process is accomplished through the extrusion of the wheel material. First, nylon inserts are placed in an injection molding press that melts the neoprene rubber and injects it into the mold. Once cooled to a solid state, the machine ejects rubber wedged wheels which are capable of absorbing shock, reducing noise, and preventing damage to the floor or surface.

Types of Caster Wheels

There are a few common types of caster wheels, some of which we will cover in this section.

Cast Iron and Semi-Steel Caster Wheels

Typically made of gray iron, cast iron and semi-steel caster wheels are abrasion-resistant and long-lasting. They necessitate little effort to start rolling and are designed for high-capacity applications. Additionally, these wheels operate well in environments exposed to mild chemicals or in oily and greasy areas.

Ferrous Wheels

Equipped with the highest load capacity, impact resistance, temperature range, and rollability when compared to their counterparts, ferrous wheels are often go-to choices for many applications. Their durable, solid structure is composed of forged steel or cast iron, making it ideal for harsh conditions such as those found in warehouses and manufacturing facilities.

Pneumatic Caster Wheels

Pneumatic caster wheels are made of rubber that has been filled with air to provide ample floor protection. With the capacity to roller over diverse obstacles, pneumatic caster wheels have a wide mobile range over many floor surfaces.

Other Common Types:

• Flanged Caster Wheels
• Forged Steel or Ductile Steel Caster Wheels
• Glass Filled Nylon Caster Wheels
• Hard Rubber Caster Wheels
• Polyolefin Caster Wheels

Conclusion

ASAP NSN Hub is a leading supplier of caster wheels, all of which have been vetted for fit and function. With countless new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find options, customers can easily find items that fit their price points. Get started with a competitive quote today and see how ASAP NSN Hub can serve as your strategic sourcing partner!

When managing an aircraft or a fleet of such vehicles, one may find that purchasing and sourcing parts can be one of the more difficult aspects of overall operations. That being said, procurement does not have to be a challenge, and having an understanding of how to be properly organized can make the process much simpler. This is not to say that planning, processing, chasing, and tracing are not all individually important, but that they all must be carried out in an organized fashion to ensure little to no hiccups or stalls along the way.

When one considers the typical day for an aircraft parts buyer, it is easy to understand how the position can be quite hectic as internal and external demands always arise. While colleagues may charge you with creating and placing orders, you will also have to handle order fulfillment, supplier questions, canceled orders, payment requests, and much more. With a variety of roles that need to be executed simultaneously, organization is the key for avoiding frustration, stress, and loss of time. To ensure that you best utilize your resources, skills, and time, you need to establish a strategy and follow through.

As the first step of formulating an effective purchasing strategy, you should create an end-goal of some sort. This can be an objective of finding the lowest cost for a part, or primarily being concerned with how fast it can be delivered upon payment. Depending on this end-goal, the steps toward reaching it will greatly differ, making it important to create this end before moving forward. As an example, if you want to work with a reputable operator who can get you parts in five days, the desired element of getting parts fast is already set in stone, and the concerns of cost will come through reverse engineering.

You could try to shop around with multiple vendors, but that has its own drawbacks such as creating roadblocks and pauses as more and more choices have to be considered. The more people you contact will also increase the amount of emails, messages, and phone calls you have to handle, increasing your workload and stress. While some individuals may find this to be perfectly fine, others may find that the great increase of deal management can actually detract from the original goal of saving time or money. As such, thinking through the process that you may have to undertake, as well as the various roadblocks you may face, can help you have a much more solid plan to achieve the end goal that you originally set out for yourself.

One way to make your procurement duties easier is to develop a relationship with a reputable distributor that can bring you a balance of all your time and cost needs, allowing you to save time and money with ease. Additionally, building a relationship with distributors can help you avoid always having to do research for each order, as you will already have a reliable source that you can trust for fulfilling all your various requirements. Luckily for you, ASAP NSN Hub is a very reputable distributor belonging to the ASAP Semiconductor family of websites, and we are your solution for all the various parts and components you require for carrying out your duties.

ASAP NSN Hub is a premier purchasing platform for Important components of all types, and we are your solution for the purchasing of aircraft parts that you currently require. With our market expertise and purchasing power, we always strive to get the best deal possible for our customers to save them time and money. Additionally, we also utilize our expansive supply chain network stretching across the United States to ensure expedited shipping speeds for your benefit. Take the time to explore our offerings as you see fit, and our team is always on standby 24/7x365 to assist customers throughout the purchasing process with customized quotes for your comparisons. 

Valves are devices that serve the purpose of regulating the flow of a fluid, which may either be in the liquid or gas phase. With numerous design and size variations, it is helpful to understand which valve type works best for a given application. In the aviation industry, in particular, ball valves have become an integral component in vessel construction due to their long service lives and precise control capacity. In this blog, we will discuss the several nuances associated with ball valves and their use in the aerospace industry, highlighting their function and design variants.

Like many other valves, the ball-type sits inside a valve housing, which contains and protects the functional components. Extending from the top of the housing to the bottom is a valve stem, which is operated by either electrical or pneumatic means. Connected to the valve stem is the ball, which is supported by a specialized seat and o-rings. Most commonly, the stem is designed to operate with quarter turns, either permitting or preventing media flow with each.

Although 3-way and 4-way ball valves may be used in some circumstances, the overwhelming majority only feature two ports, particularly in aerospace. For most applications, the valve is manually operated by a user through the use of a lever, although some are fitted with an internal transmission. In general, when the lever is in line with the pipe, the ball allows media to flow, with the opposite being true if the lever is perpendicular. In the case of a 3-way valve, the bore will be manufactured in an L- or T-shaped manner, allowing the user to control media flow and direction.

Depending on operating environment demands, the housing may either be one-, two-, or three-piece. The one-piece assembly is the cheapest and most lightweight, but it is less durable and cannot be disassembled to be cleaned. As a result, they are typically reserved for low-output applications. Two-piece housings are commonly threaded and may be disassembled to support maintenance operations. Finally, the three-piece bolted housings are the most durable and simplest to remove for cleaning. Because of these factors, the three-piece variant is also the most expensive.

If the valve does not rely upon a lever or other twisting mechanism in its operation, it is considered to be automatic. These devices instead utilize an electric or pneumatic actuator to manipulate the valve stem. Such configurations allow for energy conservation and act as a fail-safe mechanism. Higher performance actuators can even provide modulation control, which enables the user to choose a precise level of opening.

In the aerospace industry, ball valves are implemented to accomplish precision fluid control. The most common media types transported are hydraulic fluid, water, coolant, and fuel. One place in particular where ball valves shine is turbines, where they are explicitly designed to handle the high-pressure and high-temperature environment. Another benefit of ball valves is their lower purchase cost and much longer lifespan compared to other designs. When choosing a ball valve for aerospace applications, it is important to select a reliable distributor such as ASAP NSN Hub.

At ASAP NSN Hub, we have all the ball valve components you need to support operations. With immediate availability on over 2 billion items and around-the-clock expedited shipping, our lead times remain unrivaled. We invite you to browse our expansive and diverse offerings today, keeping in mind that you may initiate the purchasing process at any time using our simple Instant RFQ form. With account managers available for customers 24/7x365, you will receive a customized solution within 15 minutes or less from the submission of a completed form.

Without a robust network of ground team members and equipment, aircraft would not be able to perform any operations. With air travel as busy as ever, planes may fly routes over ten times per day. In fact, it is not uncommon for a commercial aircraft to support 24-hour operations, covering thousands of miles and transporting hundreds of occupants in that given period.

While most of the magic in aviation occurs in the air, an equally critical time is when the vessel is on the ground. It is here where inspection takes place, the aircraft is refueled, waste is drained, and other necessary actions are carried out to get the plane ready for its next journey. The various tools used to support such operations are called ground support equipment (GSE), and like everything else in aviation, interested parties are constantly looking for ways to improve operations. In this blog, we will discuss airport utility pit systems, which are being implemented at hubs worldwide to bolster the capabilities of ground service personnel and equipment.

Before comprehending utility pit systems, it is first necessary to understand how conventional GSE operations are facilitated. Below is a non-exhaustive list of GSE that may be encountered.

Refuelers

Conventionally, aircraft refueling has been facilitated by means of delivery from a self-contained fuel truck or cart. These vehicles contain all of the equipment necessary to carry out pumping operations, but can only hold up to 10,000 gallons of fuel.

Ground Power Units

In addition to fuel, aircraft go through an incredible amount of electricity during a single flight and will require significant recharging in between flights. The current modus operandi involves the delivery of a mobile power unit to the aircraft to supply the energy needed.

Container Loaders

Serving the purpose of loading cargo onto the aircraft, container loaders are electric or gas-powered vehicles capable of supporting thousands of pounds.

Air Start Unit

Although most aircraft may be started using the auxiliary power unit (APU), there may be situations where the plane is not equipped with one, or the device stops working. In any case, an air start unit may be used to provide high-volume air to the engines to help facilitate their start-up.

General Pumps

Aircraft require both the disposal of waste material and the delivery of clean water. Both of these actions require a pump, which is either electrically or gas-powered.

Conclusion

After reviewing the various equipment types found in GSE operations, it becomes clear that the limiting factor is the availability of "hard" resources, such as fuel, electricity, and compressed air. In almost every case, the equipment must be brought close to the aircraft while also requiring their own refueling at some point. The solution to this? Utility pit systems. Pit systems allow for necessary resources to be placed in close proximity to the aircraft and ground service equipment while also reducing the necessity for long hoses and wires. As a result, there is less clutter on the tarmac, faster and more continuous service, and fewer incidents involving a vehicle or aircraft running over lines.

In all pit systems, the connectors are contained in an underground module that remains retracted when not in use. A hatch-pit design features a small, hinged door that contains the connectors on the bottom. Although this configuration takes up less space and is quicker to deploy, it is less ergonomic for ground support staff, who have to bring the lines from ground level to the target. The alternative solution is the pop-up pit system, which may be brought up to any height desired, thereby reducing the strain on personnel. In either case, the hatch of the pit system should be durable and capable of supporting the weight of an aircraft tire.

When you are in the market for premium GSE equipment and tools, look no further than ASAP NSN HUB. As a leading aviation part supplier and AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accredited enterprise, we work tirelessly to ensure customers receive the best products and shopping experience possible. Explore our vast part catalogs today, or use our powerful search engine to find the exact part you are looking for, keeping in mind that you may initiate the purchasing process whenever by submitting an Instant RFQ form. At ASAP NSN HUB, we take care of the logistics so you can take care of the mission.

Fixed-wing aircraft facilitate controlled flight by manipulating several moving components called control surfaces. These surfaces, which include the rudder, flaps, elevators, and ailerons, help to guide the plane as it travels through the air with smoothness and safety. While each of these elements plays a critical role in aerodynamics, this blog will focus on the design, operating principle, and various types of ailerons.

The word aileron is French for "little wing," which accurately describes the component's design and function. Shortly after the Wright brothers first took flight, it was realized that while lift could be sufficiently generated using wings, lateral movement and banking would be impossible with only fixed flight surfaces. As a result, a cable system was added to early aircraft, which would initiate those movements by gently warping the wings. Although wing-warping produced favorable results, particularly in the context of coordinated turns, they quickly fell out of favor when moveable ailerons became more advanced.

Nearly all modern ailerons are found on the trailing edge of both wings and are directly connected by the actuation system. When the pilot initiates movement of one aileron, the other will move in an inverse manner. For example, if the left aileron pushes down, the one on the right will move up. The aerodynamics involved in ailerons are relatively straightforward in that a downward movement causes increased lift on that wing, while the upward-facing aileron experiences decreased lift. The result is a banked turn in the direction of the upward-facing aileron.

Most commonly, ailerons are positioned away from the center of the wing, closer to the fuselage. However, their placement is highly variable, and larger planes demand a higher surface area in order to facilitate banking. A significant technological upgrade came from the implementation of multiple ailerons, capable of moving independently from each other, on both wings. Such designs are ubiquitous among large passenger and cargo aircraft. Using an "inboard-outboard" aileron configuration is beneficial in several ways. First, it helps to ensure system redundancy in the rare event of actuation system failure since each element is controlled by a separate hydraulic control module or cable. Also, it helps to prevent incorrect net-roll torque by locking out the outboard ailerons when the aircraft reaches a high enough speed.

While ailerons play a critical role in banking and coordinated turns, they also produce the unwanted side effect of adverse yaw. Adverse yaw occurs when the nose of the aircraft begins to point in the direction opposite of the aileron-facilitated roll. This causes instability and roughness in a coordinated turn and must therefore be counteracted. To compensate for the adverse yaw produced by the ailerons, rudders are used to create an opposite sideways force to level the aircraft.

Like other flight control surfaces, ailerons contain trim tabs to aid pilots in performing continuous movements without fatigue. Additionally, trim tabs work to reduce drag, which saves on fuel efficiency and may dampen the magnitude of adverse yaw. Another, much less common, use of trim tabs is to help control the plane when controls are damaged. Although there is minimal precedent for this in general aviation, there have been several well-documented examples of military aircraft being able to operate with just trim tabs.

When inspecting the ailerons, ensure that they are free of debris and damage. As with all movable surfaces and hinged devices, it is necessary to examine the various rivets for distortion and tightness. If any maintenance is performed, it is crucial for the ailerons to be rebalanced and tested to ensure proper mechanical movement. Finally, it is important to procure replacement parts from a trusted source.

At ASAP NSN Hub, we carry millions of high-quality components for the civil and military aviation industries, including a wide selection of aileron parts. We are an AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accredited enterprise and the only distributors to maintain a strict NO CHINA Sourcing policy. Additionally, we subject our inventory to regular inspection to help screen for any defects or issues before shipping. We invite you to browse our expansive part catalog today, keeping in mind that you may begin the purchasing process at any time using our Instant RFQ form. With account managers available 24/7x365, you will always receive a quotation within 15 minutes or less.

Aircraft hydraulic systems allow operators a way of remotely controlling an array of components by transmitting force through a pressurized fluid. Hydraulics can quickly and accurately generate high forces through lightweight pipes of varying sizes, shapes, and lengths. Furthermore, they serve as the primary sources of power in aircraft systems like flight controls, flaps, wheel brakes, and more.

Modern aircraft have many different types of subsystems, some of which are interlinked. One such system is the hydraulic subsystem, which is utilized for actuating most of the mechanical subsystems, including landing gear, flap brakes, weapons systems, and various others. As a result, it becomes apparent that the hydraulic system is an essential part of aircraft functionality.

A hydraulic system consists of a pressurized liquid within a sealed system that is used to transmit energy. Hydraulic systems take engine power and convert it to hydraulic power via a hydraulic pump. This power can then be distributed through tubing that runs across the entirety of the aircraft. Similarly, this hydraulic power can be changed back into mechanical power by way of an actuating cylinder or turbine.

One of the main parts of the hydraulic system is the actuating cylinder which is tasked with changing hydraulic fluid power into mechanical shaft power. Within the actuating cylinder, a rotating piston is regulated by oil under pressure. The oil is in contact with both sides of the piston head but at varying pressures, and high pressure oil can be pumped into either side of the piston head.

Meanwhile, the selector valve dictates which side of the actuating cylinder will receive the high pressure oil The piston rod of the actuating cylinder is connected to the control surface. As the piston moves out, the elevator moves down and vice versa. At the same time, the selector valve directs the high pressure oil to the appropriate side of the piston head, making the piston move in the actuating cylinder.

As the piston moves, the oil on the low pressure side makes its way back to the reservoir. The pressure differential causes the piston to move, and the force generated by this difference in pressure is ample enough to move the necessary loads. It is important to note that cylinders within boats, planes, and other vehicles are specially designed to carry out the aforementioned process with ease.

The reservoir is responsible for a few different things, some of which we will outline. First, it provides air space for the expansion of the oil due to temperature changes. Additionally, it holds a backup supply of oil to account for the thermal contraction of oil, normal leakage, and volume changes due to operational requirements. The reservoir also provides a place to remove air or foam from the liquid as well as a pressure head on the pump.

There are two types of power pumps, those of which are gear pumps and piston pumps. A gear pump moves fluid based on the number of gear teeth and the volume spacing between gear teeth. This pump type is ideal for operations that need pressures up to 1500 PSI. A piston pump, on the other hand, moves fluid by pushing it through the motion of the pistons within the pump.

ASAP NSN Hub is a leading distributor of aircraft hydraulic system parts, such as piston rods, check valves, system relief valves, shear shafts, or other related aircraft parts. With over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find products at your disposal, you can fulfill your operational needs quickly and easily. Initiate the procurement process with a competitive quote and see how ASAP NSN Hub can serve as your strategic sourcing partner!

Aircraft windows are an important element of the fuselage that provide crew members and passengers a view of the outside atmosphere and allow for safety and comfort to be upheld with ease. With the intensive atmospheric conditions present in the altitude range aircraft typically travel at, airplane windows have to be designed with ample integrity and strength. In this blog, we will discuss how airplane windows are designed and the various materials that make them up.

Unlike typical windows that are made from standard glass materials, aircraft cabin window assemblies are constructed from plastics and special polymers. Furthermore, multiple layers of material are overlaid atop of one another to increase the overall strength and reliability of each window. If a cabin window was designed from glass, it would quickly shatter as soon as the extreme pressures set in at higher altitudes. As such, it is not a viable material with its lack of pressure resistance.

As stated before, airplane windows are made from multiple layers of materials, and each of these layers has a specific name and role. Generally, the primary elements of an aircraft window assembly include the passenger window frame, outer windowpane, combined seal, middle window pane, and scratch pane. The outer pane remains flush with the fuselage, and it is often the most robust section that passengers cannot interact with. Meanwhile, the middle window pane serves to equalize pressure, featuring a small breather hole that allows cabin air to escape into the pocket. This is highly beneficial as it forces the outer window pane to take the brunt of the load at a slow pace that avoids losses in integrity. Lastly, the most inner pane is the scratch pane, and it is the thinnest of the assembly as it is simply a non-structural element that prevents passengers from scratching windows.

When traversing wetter climates where fog, rain, or other moisture is present, it is important that visuals are not lost. Often, airplane window exteriors are equipped with an anti-fog system in the form of coatings that maintain clarity. Anti-ice coatings are also extremely important as ice deposits can detract from aerodynamics through the disruption of airflow and generation of drag. While cabin windows are provided the ability to deter loss of visuals, flight deck windshields feature the most robust systems for the means of bolstering a pilot’s abilities to maintain sight out of the aircraft.

At ASAP NSN Hub, we can help you secure competitive pricing and rapid lead times on all of the various aircraft spare parts that you need. On our database, customers can peruse over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find products that have been sourced from leading global manufacturers that we trust. Take the time to explore our listings as you see fit, and our team is always ready to assist you through the purchasing process with competitive quotes for your comparisons and unmatched turnaround times. If you are ready to initiate the procurement process or wish to learn more about our capabilities, give us a call or email at your earliest convenience, and we would be more than happy to assist you however we can!