The presence of Parker Hannifin Corp. (Hall 5 Stand D36) at this Paris Air Show underscores its research-and-development commitment in fields such as system health, “adaptive energy” and fuel tank safety. For example, its energy-harvesting predictive health monitoring device will allow operators to supervise the vitality of an aircraft’s systems by measuring component vibrations during flight. The device also harvests vibrations and converts them to electronic energy that can help power aircraft systems.
Other high-tech wizardry on display includes fuel filtration and water coalescing systems to remove water from fuel as it gets uploaded into aircraft fuel tanks. The system coalesces water in the fuel, then separates and removes it, helping to keep aircraft operating properly and passengers safe. At high altitudes, water or ice in aircraft fuel tanks can cause plugged fuel lines and engine failure.
Meanwhile, modern aircraft engines require faster, more sophisticated controls to increase efficiency and reduce fuel use. Advances in smart material actuated valves will provide the controls needed in the future.
U.S.-based Parker has teamed with Germany’s MTU to develop the piezoelectric-actuated valve for controlling bleed-air injection. The prototype valve, with an electronic controller, can open in less than 0.003 seconds, then modulate the compressor bleed-air injection flow.
In the field of hydrogen generation, Parker’s proton exchange membrane technology generates ultra-high-purity hydrogen from water. According to Parker, the technology provides superior analytical performance and meets the rigorous demands of the aviation fuel research industry.
Parker is also developing fluid control technologies to improve system performance for engine manufacturers and suppliers to meet demanding diesel emission standards. The company’s hydrocarbon dosing system offers “unmatched” atomization for improved fuel evaporation, it claims, while reducing unwanted coking and eliminating the need for injector cooling lines by using air purge sequencing. It also remotely positions sensitive electronics and moving parts away from high-temperature and high-vibration exhaust areas and helps achieve cost savings by simplifying the number of required system components and minimizing assembly time.
Finally, Parker’s I-dome fuel injection technology offers an ecological alternative to gas turbine engine combustion. Benefits of the power generation technology include low nitrous oxide emissions, affordable digital tooling, scalablity to all engine sizes, and support of many fuel types, including hydrogen, syngas and low BTU gas.
“Parker recognizes the importance of investing in research and development to be able to offer the best engineering solutions to our customers, while focusing on the environment,” said Parker Aerospace Group vice president of technology and innovation Mark Czaja.
Because today’s aircraft, ground vehicles and industrial manufacturers are large consumers of unsustainable forms of energy, Parker’s display also showcases the company’s commitment to making future engines more fuel efficient while dramatically reducing emissions. The company also has paid close attention to alternative energy development, using renewable resources like the sun, wind and ocean waves to create power.
Additional display features include specialized monitoring systems meant to keep aircraft secure and healthy, lighter, stronger, conductive and corrosion-resistant. Parker Aerospace designs, manufactures and services hydraulic, fuel, flight control, pneumatic, electronics cooling, and fluid conveyance components and systems. It also handles related electronic controls for aerospace and other high-technology markets.
