Figuring our hydraulic power packs for your aircraft can seem like a difficult task. The topic of hydraulic power packs is complex, technical, and wordy. Trust us, you are not alone!
But what happens when you need a replacement part for an airplane?
Understanding the purpose of hydraulic power and hydraulic power packs is tricky. That’s why we’re here to break it down for you into easy-to-understand terminology. We want you to feel confident you’ve chosen the correct source of power for all your machinery.
Airplanes can cost a lot to repair and replace. That’s why you’ll want to invest in only the best quality parts. This will keep you in the sky. It also ensures that your machinery runs well for years to come.
So, let’s delve right into it! We are going to break down the technical talk. Then, compile everything you need to know about hydraulic power pack components. But first, we got to know what hydraulic power is.
What Is Hydraulic Power?
Let’s start with the basics. Hydraulic power helps machines run better, faster, and stronger. In technical terms, it is a conversion. From a primary drive source to a pressurized hydraulic fluid flow.
You may be thinking: what difference does that make? It makes a world of difference for those that operate heavy machinery. Anything from airplanes to forklifts, for example.
Hydraulic power enables machines to work right. It also enables machine throughout a working day. The pressurized flow of fluid generates power. The power necessary to lift heavy weights, run tractors or trucks, and more!
Hydraulic power is closer than you think. In short, hydraulic power takes out the need for heavy-lifting and manual labor. So you can kick back, relax, and enjoy a little umbrella with your lemonade.
What Is a Hydraulic Power Pack?
We know now that hydraulic power is a source of power that helps with heavy lifting. In short, a hydraulic power pack is, in essence, a unit of booster power for machinery. They come in a variety of shapes as well as different sizes.
It may seem tricky when trying to pick one for your needs. Since power packs work inside many machines. Some can span up to the size of a car. While others are comparable to the size of your everyday hurricane generator.
Needless to say, there are a variety of options to choose from. Each serves a different purpose to get the job done. Now…some hydraulic power pack units remain stationary. That means these are not for transporting from one location to another.
Others are smaller and more compact. These can sustain movement and transportation. You can take them from one location to another to complete many jobs.
So…How Does It Work?
We’re so glad you asked! The hydraulic power pack works as a team transferring and converting power. We’ll learn about electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic. But first, we have to examine each major piece alone to get a better understanding.
The most important factors of a hydraulic power pack are the components inside of it. Hydraulic power packs work by a series of components that allow it’s function.
The unloading valves of a hydraulic power pack are:
- Motor
- Hydraulic pump
- Hydraulic reservoir
- Regulators
- Pressure supply and relief lines
Components and Their Functions
We can’t understand a hydraulic power pack without dissecting its components. We’re going to list off each major component, and then their functions.
As we do this, we can ask ourselves these simple questions:
- What do these parts do in the grand scheme (bigger picture)?
- How does it all come together?
Let’s dive a little deeper and see the purpose behind hydraulic systems components.
Motor
The first component is the motor. The motor is your primary source of power. Like we mentioned earlier, the primary source or the motor (electric power) converts.
That means that the primary source, or the motor, turns into mechanical. Later on, we’ll find out how it converts into hydraulic power. The primary source controls oil dispersion.
So then, the primary source could the one that controls the pressure supply or fluid flow. If we want to be technical, the motor handles converting. Either DC motors and AC motors (primary sources) from electrical power to mechanical.
By all means, you’ll want your hydraulic power pack born wild…get your motor running, headin’ on the highway…explode into space (no pun intended)…
Yet, with all the motors mighty power, it’s useless without a hydraulic pump. Which leads us to our next component and its function.
Hydraulic Pump
Its nickname is the “heart” of the hydraulic power pack. The hydraulic pump controls flow and pressure. More exactly, the flow and pressure of the fluid within a unit.
Here’s where that one question comes into play. How does the motor turn mechanical power to hydraulic power? The answer is: the pump.
The motor converts electric power to mechanical. Then, the hydraulic pump takes the mechanical power and makes hydraulic pressure.
In simple terms, the pump works to balance the ratio of the area within the unit and pressure. You should note there are unloading valves of hydraulic pumps. Some include: gear pumps, vane pumps, and piston pumps.
Hydraulic Reservoir
Another vital hydraulic component is the unit’s reservoir. This is the storage area for the oil. The oil then flows and passes through the reservoir into the hydraulic pump. The oil pumps through the entire system and back again. Then, the cycle repeats.
The oil keeps other components running like the motor. Maintaining your oil clean and pristine is super important. Dirty oil can clog the functions within the unit and cause many issues.
You’ll want to do unloading valves on your unit. Check that the oil is clean! That means no dirt, dust, or other contaminants.
Keeping the oil clean will keep your power pack operating smoothing. It’ll ensure that all fluids flow easily without damaging your equipment. Specific strainers and filters will keep out unwanted material.
Pressurized and Non-Pressurized
This is worth mentioning as well. Airplanes that are cutting corners fast or making sharp turns will have pressurized reservoirs. Commercial airplanes like an ordinary flight from JFK to LAX will most likely be non-pressurized.
The main reason for this has to do with temperature. unloading valves can rise fast in hydraulic systems. That’s why mechanical engineers invest countless hours to produce mature technology.
That is mature technology which will give the power needed to complete a task at hand. And do so without overheating.
Fins
We all know that liquids change when they’re put inside an airplane and pressurized. That’s why TSA takes away our favorite shampoo to throw it into the bin before we board. But, what happens to the fluids inside a reservoir when a plane is in flight?
Liquid moves in flight. It’s going to whirl and twirl, so we have to get ahead of the game and prepare for that. That’s why we have a little something called fins. Fins work to prevent movement that could disrupt the system.
Fins go inside of the hydraulic reservoir. There are, in general, many fins alongside either wall of the reservoir to break up bubbles. Fins keep the fluid from swirling, twirling, and tangling into a bubbly mess.
In short, it keeps the fluid stabilized. This keeps the power pack circulating and avoid clogs or disruptions in the system.
Regulators
Hydraulic power pack regulators control or “regulate” the pressure lines. These regulators work to keep your system from becoming over-pressurized. Regulators are also called unloading valves.
Pressure control valves are what power the power pack. There are also the directional control valves. These work to regulate the oil amount flowing throughout the system.
Different valves keep pressures set within range. This ensures that you have better control over the fluids, pressure, and power pack.
Pressure Supply and Relief Lines
Pressure supply and relief lines keep the pressure inside the pack leveled. We know that the pressure inside the pack is set by the control valves. This means that the pressure will also be the same when in the supply and relief lines.
In other words, the pressure supply and relief lines pump the fluids at a set pressure. The pressure is set using the control valves. These lines ensure that the fluid cycles.
The pressure keeps air bubbles from manifesting inside. It keeps the fluids pure inside the tubing. That is the same purpose as the fin design that’s inside the hydraulic reservoir.
Maintenance: Yay or nay?
This is a definite yay or yes!
Maintenance is crucial for the long-lasting survival of any piece of equipment. Keeping a hydraulic power pack maintained keeps it thriving. The most vital part of keeping a power pack clean, again, is the oil inside the hydraulic reservoir.
Keeping the oil clean should be a top priority. Don’t worry, there’s accessory equipment that can help you keep out contaminants. Installed filters and strainers inside that’ll collect contaminates as the fluids cycle through.
Still, it’s important that you check up on the oil inside of the reservoir to be sure it is clean. Handling the oil the right way, from the start, avoids damaging the reservoir. It also avoids damage to other functions in the long run.
How About Airplanes?
Now that we know about hydraulic power and power packs, we can see how it all ties into airplanes. Pull up a chair! This is going to be the best part.
Most airplanes have hydraulic systems for their craft in case of an emergency. These extra sources of power help when the main systems fail. Older and newer airplanes will differ in how their systems makeup. Yet, the differences are minimal and they are inside the hydraulic reservoir.
Older models there is an extra valve to allow the passage of filtered oil in case the first one has damage like a clog. That’s only the tip of the iceberg, though. Let’s dig even deeper into what hydraulic power packs do for airplanes.
How Is a Hydraulic Power Pack Used in an Airplane?
Hydraulic power systems became popular for larger airplanes. That’s because pilot’s couldn’t manually operate flight controls anymore. They needed an extra boost. Smaller airplanes could. Still, in commercial planes, for example, the pilot needed an extra boost of power. Hence, the hydraulic power pack system.
You may be wondering: how does this hydraulic power boost help pilots?
Here are some ways hydraulic power benefits pilot’s in large, commercial airplanes:
- Stabilizer trim
- unloading valves
- Flight control surfaces [directly]
Hydraulic power pack components enable large commercial planes to function better. Large airplanes are able to get away with not having to install a central hydraulic system. Power packs make the job easier and lighter to travel.
Here’s How It All Ties In
These listed hydraulic components and functions work together in a: hydraulic system circuit. These hydraulic power packs embody innovation. The use of valves, filters, and compact lineage is what makes these power packs so creative.
These packs are essential for any plane. Because they lessen the weight which free’s up space. That’s why we offer them to our customers!
Take Your Pick from Our List of Hydraulic Power Packs
Choosing the right products for your airplane can seem daunting or even frightening. It does seem like a lot of information, but we’re here to help. After all, we all want the best for our airplane.
That’s why we would like to invite you to check out our many airplane products. Take your pick from our list of various hydraulic power packs. We strive to bring you the sturdiest materials that’ll work great with your airplane.
Soar through the sky in style, knowing you’ve invested in the highest quality products. If you’ve been searching for a hydraulic pump, then look no further because we’ve got you covered. We offer our customers many more options in aircraft parts, so feel free to surf our inventory.