The Eaton Corporation (Hall 4, B2) has more reasons than most to feel pumped up about the Paris Air Show. It has recently unveiled the world's first 5,000psi commercial aircraft hydraulic pump specifically designed for the Airbus 380, the world's largest passenger aircraft.
Craig Arnold, senior vice president and group executive for Eaton's Fluid Power Business, described the significance of the pump's increased power: "By elevating the hydraulic system pressure for commercial passenger aircraft from 3,000 to 5,000psi, Eaton and Airbus will set a new level of aircraft weight reduction, increase reliability and improve operational performance," he said.
Savings
The application of this new higher-pressure standard for fluid power generation on a commercial aircraft will allow Airbus to achieve significant weight savings by reducing the diameter of the hydraulic fluid lines and the size of the components that operate the aircraft's primary control system.
A total of eight 5,000psi hydraulic pumps will provide fluid to the Airbus 380's landing gear and nose wheel steering as well as the primary flight controls and other aircraft utility systems.
Allan McArtor, chairman of Airbus North America, said "Eaton is a fine example of why Airbus strives to find the very best suppliers for every component of its aircraft.
Together
Eaton has been with Airbus since its beginning and the opportunity to work together to introduce the world's largest passenger aircraft utilizing the world's first 5000-psi hydraulic power generation and fluid conveyance system is a tremendous historical achievement for Airbus, Eaton and the industry."
Several of the 5,000-psi hydraulic pumps are due to begin pre-qualification testing this month.
Airbus said the first flight of the A380 fitted with the new hydraulic system will be in late 2004, with commercial service expected to begin in 2006.
Source: Flight Daily News
