SETARA ’11

Rated by MQA

Hydraulic and Pneumatic

Systems
Chapter 4- Hydraulic Power System
 Course Outline

• System interconnect
• Closed and Open Systems
• Reservoir
• Filter
• Accumulator
• Charging Air Valves
• Actuators
• Power Pack
 Objectives

The aim of this chapter, the student will be able to:

• understand the basic lay out of a typical, modern
aircraft and turbo prop aircraft hydraulic systems.
• familiarize the purpose, uses, types, operation, parts
of accumulator.
• familiarize the operations, parts and types of
reservoir.
• familiarize the locations, operations, parts and types
of filter
• familiarize the types of air valves used in accumulator.
 Learning Outcomes

• The student will be able to:

• describe the basic lay out of a typical, modern jet and
turbo prop aircraft hydraulic system
• discuss the types, operation and components of
reservoir.
• describe the functions of pressurize and
non-pressurize reservoirs.
• describe the construction and operation of hydraulic
filter using a metal filter element, two stage and Cuno
type hydraulic filter.
 BASIC HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

Reservoir

Return Line Supply Line Constant Delivery

pump

Filter
Supply Line
Bypass Line
Pressure Regulator

Accumulator
Check Valve

Emergency Hand pump

Pressure Gauge

Pressure Line
Selector Valve
Relief Valve

Actuating Cylinder
 Evolution of the Hydraulic System

• A simple hydraulic system might consist of :

– a vented (unpressurised) reservoir,
– a hand-operated pump with a check valve at
both its inlet and outlet, and
– a selector valve that will direct fluid either
from the pump into the actuator or from the
actuator back into the reservoir
• This actuator (jack) is a simple single-action unit
that uses fluid to force the piston out, but a
spring returns the piston when the fluid is
released back into the reservoir
A double-acting actuator allows the actuator to be powered in
both directions
 System Interconnect and Isolation

• The purpose of the system interconnect is to

allow the crew to port fluid from a good
hydraulic system into a system that has failed
due to a supply pump failure

• System isolation is used to prevent fluid

entering any non essential items that could
have a leak so preserving the fluid remaining
for the essential systems such as brake and
nose wheel steering

• Both system rely on crew actions to close or

open relevant valves within the hydraulic
system
 Open Centre System
• Many of the lighter aircraft use an open-center
hydraulic system that performs the functions of
the more complex systems, but with relatively
simple components
• An open centre system is one having fluid flow,
but no pressure in the system when the
actuating mechanisms are idle
• The pump circulates the fluid from the
reservoir, through the selector valves, and back
to the reservoir
• The open centre system may employ any
number of subsystems, with a selector valve for
each subsystem
 Open Centre System
• The selector valves of the open centre system
are always connected in series with each other
• An advantage of the open centre system over
the closed centre system is that the continuous
pressurization of the system is eliminated
• Since the pressure is built up gradually after
selector valve is moved to an operating position,
there is very little shock from pressure surges
• This action provides a smoother operation of
the actuating mechanisms
 Open Centre System
• The operation is slower than the closed centre system, in
which the pressure is available the moment the selector
valve is positioned
• Closed centre systems are the most widely used since
most aircraft applications require instantaneous
operation
 Closed Centre System
• Closed centre system is complex than open
centre system, the fluid is under pressure
whenever the power pump is operating
• The power pump may be one used with a
separate pressure regulator control
• The power pump may be used with an integral
pressure control valve that eliminates the need
for a pressure regulator
• This system differs from the open centre
system in that the selector or directional
control valves are arranged in parallel and not
in series
 Closed Centre System
• The means of controlling pump pressure will
vary in the closed centre system
 Revision Questions

• Describe the interconnect and isolation hydraulic

systems
• Discuss the difference between open and closed
centre system.
 Reservoir

✔ Store adequate supply of fluid for the system

✔ Compensate for slight leakage by replenishes

fluid lost

✔ Serves as an overflow basin for excess fluid

forced out of the system by thermal
expansion (the increase of fluid volume
caused by temperature changes)

✔ Acts as radiator for dissipating heat from fluid

 Reservoir

✔ Reserve fluid supply for emergency use

✔ Furnishes a place for the fluid to purge itself

of air bubbles that may enter the system

✔ Acts as settling basin for foreign matter picked

up in the system
 Reservoir
• Inline – has its own welded aluminium alloy
housing, is complete within itself and is
connected with other components in system
by tubing or hose

• Integral – no housing of its own but merely a

space set aside within some major component
to hold a supply of operational fluid
Reservoir Components
• Two outlet, one with
stand pipe (stack pipe)
connected to normal
system pump, and the
other to emergency
hand pump

• Dipstick or sight glass

or gauge used to check
the fluid level

• Internal filter element

ensure return fluid are
clean and free from
solid contaminants
Reservoir Components
• Baffles or fins
incorporated in most
reservoir to keep the
fluid within the reservoir
from having random
movement such as
swirling and surging

• Filler strainers (finger

strainer) assembly in the
filler neck strain out
impurities as the fluid
enters the reservoir
during servicing
 Non pressurised Reservoirs

• Non pressurised or vented reservoir are used in

several transport and utility aircraft

• These are not designed for violent maneuvers, in

some cases, they do not fly at high altitudes

• Those aircraft that incorporate non-pressurised

reservoirs and fly at high altitudes have the
reservoirs installed within a pressurised area
 Non Pressurised Reservoir

Atmospheric pressure and gravity are the force

which cause fluid flow from the reservoir into
pump
 Pressurised Reservoirs
Pressurised reservoirs are designated for high
altitude
operating aircraft where atmospheric pressure is
insufficient to maintain a positive suction head to
the pump

The pressurised reservoir will:

• Provide positive feed of fluid to pump at all
altitude
• Prevent boiling of hydraulic fluid
• Prevent foaming of the return fluid
 Pressurised Reservoirs
• Prevent pump cavitation (condition when not
enough pressure in the reservoir to force fluid
to the inlet of the pump)

There are two common types of pressurised

reservoir:

❖ Liquid pressurised reservoir

❖ Air pressurised reservoir
Pressurised Reservoir
ACMP – ALTERNATING CURRENT MOTOR PUMP
 Method of Reservoir Pressurisation

• A nitrogen charged cylinder

• Cabin pressurisation air
• Engine compressor/ Bleed air (P3)
• Hydraulic system pressure

Warning:

All of the pressurising air must be released before

removing the reservoir cap
Compressor bleed air may be used to maintain a pressure of between
40 to 45 psi in the hydraulic reservoir
 Hydraulic Filter

• Hydraulic filters provide inbuilt protection and

minimize hydraulic system breakdowns, that
are quite often caused by contamination

• Efficient filtration helps prevent system failure

and makes a significant contribution to low
cost of ownership

• These are fitted for both low and high pressure

hydraulic applications
 Hydraulic Filter
• Filters are fitted in both
suction and pressure line in
order to:

– Remove foreign particle

from the fluid
– Protect the seals and
working surface in the
component

• Filters are classified by

degree of filtration

• The filtering capability of a

hydraulic filter is
measured in micron (1
micron is 0.000039”)
 Hydraulic Filter
• Smallest matter can be seen
by unaided human eye
is 40 microns, effective filter
be able to remove particle as
small as 5 microns

• Hydraulic filters are available

in a multitude of shapes,
sizes, micron ratings and
construction materials

• The life of a filter in a

hydraulic system depends
primarily on the system
pressures, level of
contamination and nature of
contaminants
 Filter

• The filter assembly is composed

of
three basic units

• The units are:

– a head assembly,
– a bowl, and
– a filter element.
 Filter

Head Assembly

• The head assembly is secured to the aircraft

structure and connecting lines

• The head assembly of some filters have a

pressure operated bypass valve, which will
route the hydraulic fluid directly from the inlet
to the outlet port if the filter element becomes
loaded with foreign matter
 Filter

Bowl

• The housing that holds the element to the filter

head, and it is removed when element
replacement is required
Filter Element

• The filter element may be of the 5 micron non-

cleanable, woven mesh, micronic, or porous
metal
一
 Filter Rating

The correct rating of a hydraulic filter is extremely

important in order to:
– Prevent undesirable contaminants like solids and
liquid particles to enter into the system.
– Increase life of filter, fluid and system components.
– Maintain functional efficiency of the system and
prevent operational disturbances due to filtration
failure.
– Ensure high capacity of contaminant holding.
– Ensure desired lubricity of oil and minimize
chemical degradation of the fluid
– Ensure high reliability of filter and filtration
– Ensure continuous availability of the system
 Filter
• The micronic and 5-micron non-cleanable
elements have non metallic filter media,
and are discarded when removed

• Porous metal and woven mesh, filter

elements are usually designed to be
cleaned and reused

• Non cleanable filter elements rated at

5-microns are capable of maintaining a
hydraulic system at much cleaner levels
and represent the current state of the art
in aircraft hydraulic filtration

• Strainer usually a gauze element and they

may be capable of filtration down to 100
microns

• Felt or paper filter is usually installed in the

supply line while micronic or sintered
bronze filter usually used in the pressure
line
 Filters Elements
Capable of filtration down to
just a few microns. The
elements found in these
filters may be:
• Sintered metal (bronze and
stainless steel used)
• Plastic impregnated paper
(these filter are only used in
system operating at
moderate pressure due to
the possibility of element
collapse
• Wire wound filters (made of
monel metal, tapered wire
wound on a former)
• Treated paper folded into
pleat (increase filtering
surface area) and wrapped
around coil spring to
prevent collapsing
 Filter
• Filter incorporated bypass usually installed in
return
line, to allow bypass of fluid if the filter become
blocked or clogged
⚫ Differential pressure indicator
incorporated in hydraulic filter
to show the filter element is
clogging or blocked (pin
protrudes (pop out) indicate
filter clogged)
⚫ The filter used in hydraulic
system should be subjected to
periodic and routine cleaning
and maintenance
 Filter Location
• The location of a filter in the hydraulic system
is of much significance
• Filters may be located within the reservoir, the
pressure line, the return line, inlet or outlet
side of the pump or any other location where
they are
needed to safeguard the hydraulic system
against
contaminants
• Their location in the system and other design
criteria determine their shape and size
 Filter Location
• Intake or suction filter - are fitted upstream
of the pump so that they can prevent random
entry of large and other contaminants like
large chips into the pump and thus prevent
damage to it

• Pressure filter - A pressure filter is used

sometimes at the pump outlet to prevent
entry of contaminants generated in the
pump, into other components like valves, etc.
and thus help in avoiding the spread of such
undesirable elements into the whole system.
This will thus protect valves, cylinders etc
 Filter Location
• Return line filter/Case drain filter - It may
reduce the amount of dirt ingested through
the cylinder and seals from reaching the
reservoir

• Inline filter a small filter incorporated in a

pipeline, may look rather like a pipe coupling
 Cuno Filter

• The Cuno filtering element is made up of a stack of

discs and spacers mounted on a rod, with a cleaner
blade between each of the discs

• This entire assembly is mounted inside a bowl, and

fluid flows from the outside of the stack between the
discs to the inside and out to the system.

• The rod should be turned with the handle that

protrudes through the filter housing.

• In this way, contaminants that have been trapped

between the discs will be scraped out by the cleaner
blades and will fall to the bottom of the bowl where
they can be removed during the next inspection
Cuno Filter
 Revision Questions

• Lists the types of reservoir.

• Lists the types of filter and their location.
 Accumulator
• Absorbs the shocks due to
rapid pressure variations in a
hydraulic system
• Helps maintain a constant
pressure within the hydraulic
system
• Helps the hydraulic pump
under peak pressure loads
• It is an emergency source of
power (the braking system has
its own accumulator)
• Allow for thermal expansion of
the fluid.
 Accumulator
• Prevent the cut out valve
cutting in and out rapidly
• Store hydraulic fluid under
pressure for the operation
of components in an
emergency (failure of EDP)
• Compensate for temporary
drop in supply pressure on
selection of a service
• Damp out pulsation thus
cushioning the shock loads
which the circuit would
otherwise have to withstand
 Accumulator
• The hydro-pneumatic type
accumulators are the most
commonly used accumulators
and apply force to the liquid by
using a compressed gas that
acts as the spring

• Only dry nitrogen is used as

there is a danger of exploding
an air-oil vapour, in the case of
compressed air

• There are two general

hydro-pneumatic types of
accumulators in use on modern
aircraft

• They are the spherical type

and the cylindrical type
 Accumulator
• The spherical type was the
more commonly used
accumulator on low pressure
system
• The cylindrical type has
proved more satisfactory for
high pressure hydraulic
systems, and is now more
commonly used than the
spherical type
• Airside of the accumulator is
pre charged or pre loaded
with nitrogen to a
predetermined pressure
(approximately 1/3 of the
normal system pressure)
• As hydraulic pressure builds
up in the system, the gas is
compressed until fluid and
gas pressure equalize at
 Accumulator
• Low pressure in the
accumulator will cause rapid
fluctuation of pressure

• Any trace of hydraulic in air

chamber indicates internal
leak between the two
chamber

• The gas side of an

accumulator is inflated
through a charging valve, the
charging valve usually takes
the form of NRV

• The hydraulic system

pressure must be OFF during
pre-charging or checking the
accumulator air pressure
Bladder Type Accumulator
• Bladder type – It consists of a
synthetic polymer rubber
bladder like neoprene, nitrile,
chloroprene, etc. inside a one
piece metal sphere with
opening at the bottom for
inserting the bladder
• A large screw type plug at the
bottom of the accumulator
retains the bladder and seal
the unit
10/27/2021 66
Bladder Type Accumulator
• The bladder is filled with
inert
compressed gas
• It responds quickly for
receiving
or expelling flow of hydraulic
oil

• A round metal disc attached

to
the top of the bladder
prevent air pressure from
forcing the bladder out
through the pressure port
Diaphragm Type Accumulator
• Diaphragm type –
consists of two half ball
metal section (two metal
hemispheres) fastened
together,

• Mounted between the

halves is flexible synthetic
rubber diaphragm which
divide the compartment

• The storing action is

effected by the
compression of the
volume of nitrogen
Diaphragm Type Accumulator
• On the fluid side of the
accumulator, a screen
covers the outlet to prevent
a part of the diaphragm
being pushed up into the
system pressure port
Piston Type Accumulator
• Piston type – consists of a
unit of cylinder with floating
piston divide the cylinder into
two chamber, a rubber seal
prevent leakage between the
two chambers

• The gas that occupies the

volume above the piston is
compressed as the cylinder
body is charged with liquid
Piston Type Accumulator

A passage is drilled from the

fluid the fluid side of the piston
to the space between the seals,
this provides lubrication
between the cylinder and the
piston.
This type of accumulator take
less space for installation and
ease of inspection
 Revision Questions

• Lists the types of accumulator.

• Describe the functions and operations of
accumulator.
Accumulator Air Charging Valve
The simplest seals the
air in the accumulator
with high pressure
valve
core similar to that
used
in tyre inflation valves

The letter ‘H’

AN 812 Valve embossed
on the end of the stem
may identify high
pressure valve core
Accumulator Air Charging Valve
AN6287-1 valve does not
depend on valve core to
provide the seal but
through metal to metal
contact between the stem
and the valve body

Loosen the swivel nut

one turn and depress the
valve core release the air
AN 6287-1 charge
Accumulator Air Charging Valve
Air hose is attached to
the
valve and the swivel nut
loosened one turn and
the
gas pressure applied

Tightening the swivel

AN 6287-1 nut
provides a metal to
metal
seal
Accumulator Air Charging Valve
Air valve is similar to the
AN 6287-1 except that
there is no valve core
and the swivel nut is the
same size as the body of
the valve 0.75”.

A pin prevents the

housing being screwed
MS28889 too far into the body
Accumulator Air Charging Valve
• A special cap for safely deflating
an accumulator, or air-oleo strut
under controlled conditions

• Screwing on the cap

progressively, pushes the valve
core off its seat slowly, allowing
gradual de-pressurisation to take
place
 Summary

• Layout of Hydraulic systems in modern aircraft.

• Emergency Generation for hydraulic systems
• Electrical Motor Driven Pump (EMDP)
• Ram Air Turbine (RAT)
• Air Turbine Motor (ATM)
• Power Transfer Unit (PTU)
• System interconnect
• Closed and Open Systems
• Accumulator
• Charging Air Valves
 Revision Questions

• Lists the types of accumulator.

• Discuss the operations of accumulator.
• Lists and explain the types of charging valves.
 Outline

• Types of actuator
• Operations of actuator
• Application of actuator
• Types of hydraulic motors
ACTUATOR CYLINDER
 Objectives

The aim of this chapter, the student will be able to:

• familiarize the different types, construction, location,
functions of selector valves and actuating cylinders.
• understand the operation principles of selector valve
and actuating cylinders.
• familiarize the different types of hydraulic motors.
 Learning Outcomes

The students will be able to:

• describe the different types, construction, location,
functions of actuating cylinders.
• discuss the operation principles of actuating
cylinders.
• identify the different types of hydraulic motors.
 Actuator
• The purpose of an actuating cylinder is to
convert fluid under pressure into linear or rotary
mechanical motion
• Actuating cylinders are the most commonly used
actuating unit in aircraft hydraulic systems
Actuating cylinders are generally installed in
such a manner that the piston shaft (rod) end of
the cylinder is attached to the mechanism to be
actuated, with the cylinder is attached
to the aircraft structure
 Actuator
There are three types of linear actuating cylinder:
• Single acting actuator,
• Double acting actuator (balanced), and
• Double action actuator (unbalanced)
 Single Acting Actuator

• Single-acting, piston-type cylinder uses fluid

pressure to apply force in only one direction.

• Force is applied in both directions, fluid pressure

provides the force in one direction, and spring
tension provides the force in the opposite
direction
 Single Acting Actuator

• In some designs of this type, the force of gravity

moves the piston in the opposite direction, while
some uses compressed air or nitrogen is used
instead of a spring for movement in the direction
opposite that achieved with fluid pressure
 Single Acting Actuator

• Three ports selector valve is normally used to

control the operation of this type of cylinder

• The end of the cylinder opposite the fluid port is

vented to the atmosphere to prevents air from
being trapped in this area
 Double-Acting Actuating Cylinder
• Most piston-type actuating cylinders are
double-acting, which means that fluid under
pressure can be applied to either side of the
piston to provide movement and apply force in
the corresponding direction.

• This cylinder contains one piston and piston

rod assembly

• The stroke of the piston and piston

rod assembly in either direction is produced by
fluid pressure
 Double-Acting Actuating Cylinder
• The two fluid ports, one near each end of the
cylinder, alternate as inlet and outlet,
depending upon the “direction of fluid flow
from the selector valve

• A four-way directional selector valve is normally

used to control the operation of this type of
cylinder

• The valve can be positioned to direct fluid

under pressure to either end of the cylinder,
and to allow the displaced fluid to flow from
the opposite end of the cylinder through the
selector valve to return to reservoir or exhaust
overboard
 Double-Acting (Unbalanced)
Actuating Cylinder

Unbalanced actuating cylinder provide unequal

force as there is a difference in the effective
working areas on the two sides of the piston
 Double-Acting (Balanced)
Actuating Cylinder

Balanced actuators provides equal force in

both direction as it have equal working areas,
with a piston shaft extending from both sides
of the piston head
 Rotary Actuator

Rack and Pinion

Piston with rack teeth cut

into its shaft rotates the
pinion gear as the piston
moves in and out of the
cylinder (change the linear
motion of the piston into
rotary motion)
• The rotary motion actuating cylinder can be found in
certain windshield wiper systems
• In these windshield wipers systems, as the wiper
makes the last part of its stroke, it is designed to trip a
selector valve (SV) connection, reversing the fluid flow
so that the wiper will reverse direction
 Control Surface Actuating Cylinder
• Actuators are used in conjunction with power- operated flight
control systems

• Their function is to assist the pilot in handling the aircraft, in the

same way as power steering aids in handling an automobile

• In a power-operated flight control system, all the force necessary

for deflecting the control surface is supplied by hydraulic pressure
 Control Surface Actuating Cylinder
• Each movable surface is operated by a hydraulic
actuator incorporated in the control linkage

• Some aircraft manufacturers refer to these units as

servo actuator or power control unit or actuating
cylinders

• However, all flight control system actuators and

power control cylinders perform the same function,
and are similar in principle of operation
 Hydraulic Motors

• Hydraulic motors are used to convert hydraulic

pressure into continuous rotary mechanical
motion

• Hydraulic motors are small, compact and give a

steady, continuous torque

• The type of hydraulic motor used is similar in

general design and construction to the
piston-type pumps
 Hydraulic Motors
• The difference in the operation of a
hydraulic motor and a hydraulic
pump is as follows:

• In the operation of a pump, when

the drive shaft is rotated, fluid is
drawn into one port and forced out
the other under pressure, this
procedure is reversed in a
hydraulic motor

• By directing fluid already under

pressure into one of the ports,
pressure will force the shaft to
rotate, fluid will then pass out the
other port

• As the amount of input flow

determine the speed of the
hydraulic motor, a flow control
valve or throttling valve are used to
ensure the motor rotates at the
Vane Type Hydraulic Motor
• Vane type hydraulic
motor works in the
reverse manner to the
vane type hydraulic
pump, hydraulic pressure
and flow is converted to
rotary motion

• Produce less torque than

piston type hydraulic
motor
Vane Type Hydraulic Motor
• While the vanes are free
to slide back and forth in
the slots in the rotor,
centrifugal force holds
them against the outside
of the chamber

• Pressure is directed to
both (opposite) sides of
the motor for balancing
the load on the shaft
 Summary

• Types of actuator
• Operations of actuator
• Application of actuator
• Types of hydraulic motors
 Revision Questions

• Discuss the operations of actuating cylinder used in

aircraft hydraulic systems.
• Which actuating cylinder are used in low pressure and
high pressure in services of aircraft hydraulic systems.
 Hydraulic Power Pack

• A power pack system is one which most of the

major components valves with the exception of
actuator included in a self contained unit

• The system may operate on either open centre

or the closed centre system principle

• Power packs are widely used in light aircraft

POWER PACK
 Revision Questions

• Lists the hydraulic component of hydraulic pack.

• Discuss the operations of hydraulic pack.
• Discuss the ideal properties of hydraulic fluids and
explain the characteristics of various type of hydraulic
fluids used in aviation.
THANK YOU