As versatile, hydro-pneumatic lifting mechanisms that control motion and provide support in various applications, gas springs are utilized in the automotive, aerospace, furniture, and medical equipment sectors. In particular, these mechanical devices use compressed gas, typically nitrogen, to generate force and motion, and they consist of a piston rod, cylinder, and gas charge. In this blog post, we will explore how gas springs function and the wide range of types available so that you can effectively choose the right one for your specific needs.

The world relies heavily on various forms of energy to power industries, cities, and homes. The most common form of energy used is electrical energy, which is generated through the use of gas turbines and steam turbines in particular. While both of these rotary devices play a crucial role in power generation, they differ in several key aspects. To better understand how they function, we will explore gas and steam turbines by examining how they contrast, their working principles, and applications.

Propellers have been integral components of an aircraft since the inception of flight. These devices provide thrust to the airplane and allow it to reach the necessary velocity to achieve and maintain lift. Although the operating mechanics behind propellers are easy to comprehend, there are still several nuances that must be considered to fully appreciate their role in aviation. 

Of the total ram airflow approaching the airborne engine nacelle, anywhere between 15% and 30% enters the cowling to cool the engine. Meanwhile, the remaining air flows over the exterior of the cowling; thus, the shape of the coil must be designed so that air can smoothly flow over with a minimum loss of energy. In many radial or horizontally-opposed engines, cowlings are specially-designed to operate according to specific installations. Nonetheless, all cooling systems are manufactured to operate in the same manner.

Since the advent of powered flight, many revolutionary engine types have come about, radically changing the capabilities of aircraft over the years. One of the most prominent advancements to flight came in the form of the introduction of gas turbine engines, those of which differ from reciprocating engines with separate sections devoted to separate roles of intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. As gas turbine engines have been around for many decades, there are numerous types that have come about, each featuring slightly different design choices to support varying needs. 

Ball plungers are one of the most common forms of indexing plunger, capable of indexing and positioning elements within various applications. Ball plungers typically come in the form of a spring-enclosed shaft with a ball, the ball being a shallow part at the top of the component. As ball plungers can be very beneficial for various indexing and positioning needs.

Most modern vehicles, including aircraft, rely on fuel injectors to power their engines. These devices spray a mixture of air and fuel to be ignited in their combustion engines and can be driven either by springs or an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). As a key component in aircraft, it is important for pilots and engineers alike to understand how a fuel injector works to best maintain it. 

Centrifugal Pump

To increase an engine’s horsepower, manufacturers have devised forced induction systems called supercharger and turbosupercharger systems. These systems compress the intake air to increase its density. However, the key difference between each lies in their power supply. While a supercharger takes advantage of an engine-driven air pump or compressor, a turbocharger acquires its power from the exhaust stream that runs through a turbine which in turn spins the compressor. Aircraft equipped with such systems have a manifold pressure (MAP) gauge that displays MAP within the engine’s intake manifold.

A rotary valve is a device used to control the flow of fluids or gasses, and it consists of a disk with a series of ports or openings that can be opened or closed as the disk is rotated. Rotary valves are used in a variety of applications, including aircraft engines. In an aircraft engine, the rotary valve regulates the flow of air and fuel into the engine's combustion chamber. The rotary valve is opened and closed by a cam, which is turned by the engine's crankshaft. The rotary valve helps ensure that the engine runs smoothly and efficiently by regulating the amount of air and fuel entering the combustion chamber. As a result, it plays an essential role in an aircraft engine's safe and reliable operation.