Nonflammable Hydraulic Power System for Tactical Aircraft. Volume 1. Aircraft System Definition, Design and Analysis

Abstract : The purpose of the program was to develop and demonstrate an advanced hydraulic system designed to operate using an Air Force developed, nonflammable fluid, chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), at a maximum operating pressure of 8000 psi. A total quantity of 600 gallons of CTFE base stock was manufactured for this program by Halocarbon Products and blended with a lubricity additive and a corrosion inhibitor by the Air Force Materials Laboratory. A major portion of an advanced aircraft flight control system was duplicated using flightweight, flightworthy hydraulic components developed by twenty four equipment suppliers contracted to support the program. In addition to the high pressure and new fluid, the program integrated several advanced concepts which reduce power consumption and system heat rejection. The most significant of these is variable system pressure which allows the system to remain at a lower power setting (3000 psi), until a demand occurs. The computer controlled variable pressure pumps then respond with only the amount of increased power needed. Energy savings remains a key issue with this new technology as future tactical aircraft are projected to require three times as much hydraulic power at peak periods than conventional aircraft. The increased system pressure serves to reduce component size to accommodate thinner wings and offset the increased weight of CTFE fluid.