AMETEK Aerospace & Defense selected by Parker Aerospace to provide support for hydraulic system aboard B787 Dreamliner

AMETEK Aerospace & Defense has been selected to provide heat exchangers, hydraulic quantity indicators, temperature sensors and pressure transducers to Parker Aerospace for the advanced hydraulic subsystem it is developing for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The Parker hydraulic subsystem will operate at 5,000 psi, compared with a traditional commercial aircraft pressure of 3,000 psi.  The greater rate of pressure will reduce the size of the equipment needed and thus reduce the weight of the entire subsystem.  Increased efficiency is a key performance factor for the hydraulic subsystem, and AMETEK's transducers will be critical components in achieving the increased pressure required by the advanced hydraulic subsystem.

The subsystem incorporates 19 AMETEK pressure transducers (10 high-pressure, three low-pressure and six differential pressure).  AMETEK's pressure transducers incorporate patent-pending Silcon on Insulator (SOI) technology that provides for highly accurate, highly stable pressure transducer performance over extended temperature ranges.  The pressure transducers also are designed for 2-wire 4-20mA output current, instead of typical 3- and 4-wire configurations used in other aircraft hydraulic system, saving weight and simplifying installation.

In addition, the Hughes Treiter unit of AMETEK Aerospace & Defense specially designed a high-pressure aluminum tube-fin heat exchanger to satisfy the heat dissipation required for the new hydraulic system. Installed in the main fuel tanks, the Hughes Treitler heat exchangers use natural convection to remove heat from the hydraulic oil.  These highly reliable and robust heat exchanger units are designed to withstand over one million pressure cycles and a 5,000 psig burst pressure, while maintaining an optimal heat transfer to weight ratio.

AMETEK's temperature sensors are based on highly reliable Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) technology and provide a resistance output proportional to temperature.  Along with the pressure transducers, these temperature sensors provide data to system controllers and pumps to ensure that flight surfaces are properly controlled.

AMETEK's hydraulic quantity indicators are based on a rugged and proven design that makes them ideally suited for use in severe aircraft maintenance panel environment.  The indicators are designed to interface with a variety of aircraft monitoring systems.  That allows for simple monitoring of system hydraulic fluid by ground maintenance personnel and permits the Dreamliner aircraft to meet its turn around requirements.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which is scheduled to enter service in 2008, is expected to be a revolutionary aircraft in its use of lightweight composites and other innovative materials and technologies.  It will carry between 200 and 250 passengers upwards of 8,500 nautical miles and is expected to use 20 percent less fuel than current aircraft of comparable size.