A switch is a device used to interrupt the flow of a circuit. Every single electrical application features at least one switch, to turn the device on and off. Switches can be mechanical or electronic. Mechanical switches are operated physically, by the moving, pressing, or releasing of its contacts. Electronic switches do not require manual operation to control a circuit, and are instead activated by semiconductor action. However, there are a myriad of different types of switches used in a wide range of applications. This blog will explain many of the types of mechanical and electronic switches and provide details about their characteristics and functions.
The engine of an aircraft is one of the most critical areas, supplying the aircraft with a fuel supply that allows it to achieve propulsion and sustained flight. With the complexity of aircraft engines, ranging from correct fuel flow to optimal oil pressure, being aware of various systems and processes is extremely beneficial to maintain safe flight. Aircraft engine monitoring instruments are a set of instruments that provide various important information regarding the status, performance, and operating ranges of different engine parts. In this article, we will discuss some of the main engine monitoring systems, and how they provide pilots information to maintain safe flying.
Since the creation of the turbine engine, hydromechanical fuel controls have served on many engines, and remain in use to this day. Despite this, their popularity is dwindling due to the rise of electronic based control systems. To ensure proper flow of fuel to the engine, fuel controls systems have two sections: computing and metering. A standard hydromechanical fuel control lacks an electronic interface to assist in computing and metering fuel flow. Once an accurate determination of fuel flow has been made by the computing section, the metering section delivers fuel to the engine via cams and servo valves.
For aircraft to achieve flight, many engines utilize powerful combustion chambers that burn fuel constantly. With this combustion of fuel, intense amounts of heat is created, upwards of 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit. While much of this is vented out of the aircraft as exhaust, there still remains a great amount of heat that must be dissipated, lest it cause the engine to overheat, damage components, reduce the engine’s life, and more.
Plastics are an extremely important part of the aerospace industry, having been commonly used ever since 1970. Plastics excel at reducing weight and improving fuel efficiency, two major considerations in aircraft design, with components for propulsion, navigation, structural elements, and interior all made out of plastic materials. In this blog, we’ll explore five types of plastics commonly used by aircraft manufacturers.
