HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

ENGLISH TECHNIQUE TEAM

 THE DEFINITION

Hydraulic means “operated, moved or effected by

means of water/other liquid” – Meriam Webster

Hydraulic means “operated by the resistance offered

or the pressure transmitted when a quantity of liquid
(such as water/oil) is forced through a comparatively
small orifice or through a tube” – Meriam Webster

The word “hydraulics” is based on the Greek word for

water and originally meant the study of the physical
behavior of water at rest and in motion.
 THE DEFINITION

Hydraulic systems in aircraft provide a means for the

operation of aircraft components. The operation of
landing gear, flaps, flight control surfaces, and brakes
is largely accomplished with hydraulic power systems.

The reason of using hydraulic is because they are

able to transmit a very high pressure or force with a
small volume of fluid (hydraulic oil).
 Large Transportation
Aircraft
(where the systems are
large and complex)

Small Aircraft
(require fluid only for
manual operation of
the wheel brakes )
The system may consist of several subsystems. Each
subsystem has a power generating device (pump)
reservoir, accumulator, heat exchanger, filtering
system, etc.
 THE COMPONENTS

The complexity of any hydraulic system used on

aircraft depends largely on functions it need to
perform.
The principle that is used is based on pascal’s law:
“Pressure exerted anywhere in a confined
incompressible fluid is transmitted equally in all
directions throughout the fluid such that the pressure
ratio remains the same.”
 THE COMPONENTS

As with all system working using fluid they, at least, will

have:
1. Reservoir
2. Pump and filter (to keep the fluid clean)
3. Some valves/ actuators
4. Pressure gauge (to monitor the working pressure)
 RESERVOIR

• This must contain enough fluid so that all actuators

can operate at the same time. It functions as an
expansion chamber (when the fluid heats up) and
traps air bubbles should they enter the system
somewhere. It can be pressurized for aircraft flying
at high altitudes. Returning fluid must enter the
reservoir without any bubbles and foaming.
 PUMP

It functions to force the liquid through the system.

These pumps are available in different types
depending on the volume and pressure
requirements: vane, spur gear and the fixed angle
piston type.
 VALVES

There are three type of valves used: check, pressure

relief, and selector. The check is a non-return type,
basically a hydraulic form of the electronic diode.
 THE ADVANTAGES

Hydraulic systems have many advantages as power

sources for operating various aircraft units;
1. light weight,
2. ease of installation,
3. simplification of inspection,
4. and minimum maintenance requirements.
 HYDRAULIC FLUID

Hydraulic system liquids are used primarily to

transmit and distribute forces to various units to be
actuated.

Manufacturers of hydraulic devices usually specify

the type of liquid best suited for use with their
equipment in view of the working conditions, the
service required, temperatures expected inside
and outside the systems, pressures the liquid must
withstand, the possibilities of corrosion, and other
conditions that must be considered.
 Some of the properties and characteristics
that must be considered when selecting a
satisfactory liquid for a particular system are
viscosity, Chemical Stability, Flash Point, and
Fire Point.
 VISCOSITY
One of the most important properties of any hydraulic
fluid is its viscosity. Viscosity is internal resistance to flow.
Viscosity increases as temperature decreases. A
satisfactory liquid for a given hydraulic system must
have enough body to give a good seal at pumps,
valves, and pistons, but it must not be so thick that it
offers resistance to flow, leading to power loss and
higher operating temperatures. A fluid that is too thin
also leads to rapid wear of moving parts or of parts that
have heavy loads. The instruments used to measure the
viscosity of a liquid are known as viscometers or
viscosimeters.
 CHEMICAL STABILITY
It is the liquid’s ability to resist oxidation and
deterioration for long periods. All liquids tend to
undergo unfavorable chemical changes under severe
operating conditions.
 FLASH POINT
Flash point is the temperature at which a liquid gives off
vapor in sufficient quantity to ignite momentarily or
flash when a flame is applied. A high flash point is
desirable for hydraulic liquids because it indicates
good resistance to combustion and a low degree of
evaporation at normal temperatures.
 FIRE POINT
Fire point is the temperature at which a substance
gives off vapor in sufficient quantity to ignite and
continue to burn when exposed to a spark or flame.
Like flash point, a high fire point is required of desirable
hydraulic liquids.
 TYPE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID

The fluid, that is used, must transmit the pressure,

lubricate the parts of the hydraulic system and act as
a coolant at the same time.

Vegetable

Mineral

Synthetic
 MINERAL BASE OIL (MIL-H-5606)

It has red color

It is widely used on the system especially on flap
dive system and shock strut
The characteristics :
 It is flammable
 It is a good lubricant
 It has low viscosity change with temperature change
 It is very stable
 SKYDROL BMS 3-11 (SYNTHETIC)

It is synthetic fluid

It has purple color
It is less flammable
It tends to attract water (moisture)
It attacks certain plastic and paint
It can degrade aircraft wiring by eating away the
insulation.