For many automobile, marine, and aircraft engines, the propeller shaft is the component that transmits power between the gearbox and differential. Oftentimes, this component will be referred to by various names, common examples being a driveshaft, diving shaft, tail shaft, or Cardan shaft. Regardless of the name or setting, all propeller shafts perform the same role of torque and rotation transmission, making them a very important element of many vehicles and vessels. In this blog, we will discuss the propeller shaft in brief detail, allowing you to have a better understanding of its use.
Man’s curiosity turned aviation into a possibility, with the first manned-aircraft soaring the sky in 1903. Since then, advancements in the aerospace industry have turned flying into a hobby or standard method of travel for many, especially with large, more commercially available airplanes being devised to accommodate the needs of more eager passengers. For pilots, their personal quest to touch the sky is made possible by light aircraft, allowing them to enjoy the freedom such planes provide.
Aircraft wings are complex structures that provide a means of propulsion and the necessary lift for flight, allowing aircraft to traverse the sky with ease. Wings are typically attached to the top of the fuselage, mid-fuselage, or at the bottom. Generally, the most common attachment style includes the use of a lug which helps to attach the wing with the fuselage. Here, the bending moment and shear loads from the wing to the fuselage structures are transferred through the lug structure.
The word "sensor" is often thrown around in the context of technological capabilities, but what are these components exactly? Sensors are essential instruments that help to facilitate automation in devices that we use every day. With the seemingly endless amount of sensor applications and classifications, it can be difficult for customers to choose the product that is best suited for their specific needs. In this blog, we will discuss the operating principles of sensors and highlight the nuances involved in choosing a particular device.
When building a high-performance engine, valve trains are critical components to consider. In an internal combustion engine, a valve train serves as the mechanical system that controls the operation of the intake and exhaust valves. Though the primary function of a valve train is to control the opening and closing of valves, it also controls the flow of air and fuel that enters and leaves the combustion chamber.
Aircraft refueling and defueling are two different operations, but are essential processes for maintaining a plane. The first process of loading aviation fuel into the plane’s tank for the flight is known as ‘refueling’. On the other hand, defueling refers to a method of extracting fuel from an aircraft and is a job split between the airline and fuel supplier operator.
While equipment such as fans, blowers, and compressors may share similar characteristics, their distinct functions make them suitable for specific applications throughout various industries depending on their classification. Each coming with its own unique subset of types, fans, blowers, and compressors all belong to the turbomachinery family, operating on the fundamental means of mechanical engineering to produce devices which transfer energy between a rotor and a fluid. As turbomachinery is dependent on whether the equipment will extract or add energy, it is imperative that one understands when and where such products are necessary. To better understand how each of these components are applied to contribute a functional purpose, we will be briefly going over fans, blowers, compressors, and where they are typically applied.
Carbon composition resistors (CCR) are fixed value resistors. These resistors are composed of fine carbon particles that are mixed with a binder such as clay and are usually baked to achieve a solid form. Today, CCRs are found in circuits and are made by the deposition of a metal or carbon film over a ceramic carrier.
Since the Wright Brothers first took flight in 1903, air travel has continuously been predicated on safety. One of the greatest contributing factors to the safety of an aircraft is the redundancy of its systems. While there are numerous components that play various roles in contributing to the reliability of an airplane, this blog will focus on the auxiliary power unit (APU).
Transistors are a semiconductor device that rose in prominence following World War II, rapidly replacing traditional vacuum tubes. As basic building blocks of modern electronics, transistors are capable of amplifying or switching electronic signals or power. Transistors may come in a few types, allowing for devices such as cellphones and personal computers to reach new heights in performance. In this blog, we will discuss the various advantages and benefits of transistors, allowing you to better understand why they are often used for the design of many electronics.