The custom-designed miniature rupture disc assembly is designed for low pressure to high pressure and circulation, and is ideal for many aerospace applications.
To ensure safety and reliability, aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) rely on integrated, specific, explosion-proof membrane solutions for everything from compressed gas cylinders to propulsion systems, aircraft wheels, environmental and firefighting equipment, and fuel storage systems Applications. In many of these aerospace applications, rupture disks can be used as an effective passive safety mechanism to prevent overpressure. The disc is a one-time-use membrane made of various metals including rare alloys, and is designed to activate within a few milliseconds when a predetermined pressure difference is reached.
The reliability of aerospace equipment is critical and requires a high degree of integrity for the pressure relief technology used to protect low- and high-pressure OEM systems. OEMs are increasingly turning to integrated rupture disc components, rather than loose rupture disc and support equipment, all components are assembled by the manufacturer. These components are tailored to the application, miniaturized, and use a wide range of standard and exotic materials. This method can ensure that rupture disc equipment operates as expected, improve equipment safety, reliability and service life, while simplifying installation and replacement.
Integrated components are also ideal for many hydraulic, pneumatic, and other low, medium and high pressure applications, including pumps, piston and bladder accumulators, propulsion systems, pressure vessels, and pipelines.
From satellites to airplanes to drones, it is also important to customize integrated rupture disc applications to use lightweight and compact materials such as titanium and aluminum, as it takes more energy to transport heavier vehicles off the ground.
When corrosive fluid conditions require great corrosion resistance, titanium is usually the material of choice. Where lightweight and economical are required, aluminum welded components may be the right solution.
Separate components and integrated components Traditionally, in the aerospace field, rupture discs started as separate components and combined with the manufacturer's independent brackets when used. The installation action of the user greatly contributes to the function of the rupture disc device. If installed improperly, the rupture disc may not burst at the expected set pressure. There is a delicate balance between the rupture disc membrane, its support frame and the flanges, threads or other fastening devices used to position the safety device on the protected equipment.
For this reason, integrated rupture disc assemblies are usually a better choice than separable parts. It can be used immediately and requires no assembly, and the integrated unit is certified as a device that can operate at the required set pressure. If the rupture disc is activated, the one-piece design allows easier installation and quick removal.
The assembly includes a rupture disc and a shell, which are custom-designed to be used in conjunction with the user's required pressurized equipment interface. These devices are usually threaded or flanged and even configured for industry-specific connections, such as CF/KFVCR couplings. Bursting discs and brackets are assembled by the manufacturer through welding, bolting, pipe joints, adhesive bonding or crimping according to application conditions and tightness requirements.
This method has other advantages. Integrated components can be designed to be error-proof to ensure the correct installation direction, for example by using different thread configurations at the entrance and exit of the equipment. The physical characteristics of increasingly miniaturized rupture discs as small as 1/8" also make it difficult for personnel to pick up the rupture disc and place it in a separate holder.
Geof Brazier, Managing Director of BS&B's Security Systems Custom Engineering Products Division, said: “Aerospace OEMs are committed to providing the best performance while respecting customer budgets.” By providing ready-to-use components, the use of overall components maximizes pressure relief. The quality of technology. "
Integrated components-rupture disc design According to Brazier, the most important consideration in the design of aerospace rupture disc equipment is to have the correct working pressure and temperature information and the size constraints of the application. Service performance is sometimes expressed as the number of cycles a device is expected to endure during its life cycle. Since pressure and circulation vary by application, as well as available space and acceptable weight, each requires a customized engineering solution.
"Providing good, highly reliable, cost-effective and application-specific solutions for aerospace OEMs involves choosing the right disk technology, the right interface (welding, threading, compression fittings, single machined parts) and the right options in accordance with specifications and standards Or end-user verification requirements,” Brazier said.
Since the user's material selection may also be very specific to the application conditions, the rupture disc device can be made of metals and alloys, such as stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, Monel, Inconel, titanium, niobium [niobium] and Hastelloy .
Brazier pointed out that for aerospace applications, it is very important that rupture discs have miniaturized reverse buckling capabilities in both standard and special materials.
In almost all cases, reverse buckling rupture discs are used because they are superior to alternatives in terms of accuracy and resistance under normal operating conditions.
In the reverse buckling design, the dome of the rupture disc is inverted towards the pressure source. The burst pressure is precisely controlled by the combination of material properties and the shape of the dome structure. By compressing and loading the reverse buckling disc, it can resist up to 95% of the working pressure of the minimum burst pressure even under pressure cycling or pulsation conditions. The result is longer life, accuracy and reliability.
"For decades, the processing industry has relied on anti-buckling disks. Now, the technology can be supplied to aerospace OEMs from BS&B in miniature form with burst diameters as small as 1/8". Until recently, it was impossible to obtain disks of this size and performance," Brazier said.
He added that the benefits of this miniaturized, anti-buckling disc include the lowest possible burst pressure rating with a small diameter, a thin, lightweight design, excellent performance under cyclic use conditions, and minimal or no chipping during activation. , And can withstand full vacuum or back pressure without additional support components.
However, the miniaturization of reverse buckling technology presents its unique challenges. In order to solve this problem, BS&B created a new structure to control the reversal of the rupture disc to always activate predictably. In this type of design, a line of weakness is usually placed in the rupture disc structure to define a specific open flow area when the reverse rupture disc is activated and the rupture disc flap is held in the component housing.
"Reverse buckling—thus putting the material in compression—played some role," Brazier said. "First, it achieves repeatable structural integrity. Second, it allows you to get a lower burst pressure from thicker materials, which helps improve accuracy and durability."
Small, nominal-size rupture discs are sensitive to the detailed characteristics of the orifice they blast. This requires strict control of the normal changes of the disk shelf.
“For small-sized pressure relief devices, the impact of each feature of the rupture disc and its support will be amplified,” Brazier explained. "Through the correct bracket design and the correct selection of rupture discs, customer expectations will be realized and surpassed."
Since customers are usually accustomed to integrating certain types of fittings into piping solutions, different connections can be used on the housing. Threaded connections are popular, but BS&B is increasingly using several other connection types to connect burst disc components to applications. After the whole assembly leaves the factory, the set pressure is fixed and the equipment can be used.
"If you rely on someone to put a loose disk into the system and then capture it by passing through the top of it, unless they follow the installation instructions and apply the correct torque value, there is still a possibility of leakage, otherwise the disk may fail. Will activate at the designed burst pressure," Brazier warned. "When welded into a component, the bursting disc device is essentially sealed, and the set burst pressure is fixed."
Although aerospace OEMs have long used rupture discs in their compressed gas, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, high-low pressure, high-cycle environments are particularly challenging. Fortunately, with the availability of integrated micro-rupture disc solutions tailored to the application of various standards and special materials, aerospace OEMs can significantly improve equipment safety and compliance even under extreme operating conditions. Regularity and reliability.
About the author: Jeff Elliott is a technical writer based in Torrance, California. He has been researching and writing articles on industrial technology and issues for the past 15 years.
Achieving wastewater treatment compliance The automated wastewater treatment system helps the industry maintain compliance with EPA and local standards, while significantly reducing treatment, labor, and disposal costs.
When it comes to aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, and cleaning, the aerospace industry must meet Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local wastewater discharge requirements. Failure to do so may result in severe fines and rapid escalation.
According to the "Clean Water Act", EPA has identified 65 pollutants and pollutant categories as toxic, of which 126 specific substances have been designated as priority toxic pollutants.
Generally, manufacturing military or commercial aircraft, jet engines, helicopters, or special parts may involve the use of process flushing water. This can be used for the production, deburring or finishing of aluminum, titanium or composite parts. Water is also used for electroplating metals, forming composite materials and manufacturing electronic products. For example, in the field of defense, in order to improve wear and resistance, aerospace components can use cyanide cadmium plating, this process will produce toxic waste that must be treated.
In addition, in the maintenance and cleaning of aircraft, cleaning can be used to remove all dirt, debris, or residues from components to the aircraft fleet that may degrade performance or aesthetics. For commercial airlines, even operating on-board facilities such as toilets and sinks can generate wastewater.
These uses require the installation of wastewater treatment systems to effectively separate pollutants from the water so that they can be legally discharged into the sewer system and even reused.
However, traditional wastewater treatment systems can be complex, usually requiring multiple steps, multiple chemicals, and a lot of labor. Even if this process is considered automated, technicians still often have to personally monitor the equipment. This usually requires supervision of mixing and separation, addition of chemicals, and other tasks required to maintain the process. Even so, the water produced may still fall below the required requirements.
Although paying to tow the waste water away is an option, it is very expensive. In contrast, treating industrial wastewater from the source is more cost-effective, so the treated sewage can enter the sewer, the treated sludge passes the Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test, and can be treated as non-hazardous waste in the local landfill field.
Fortunately, with a fully automated wastewater treatment system, compliance with EPA and local wastewater regulations has become easier. Such systems not only reliably meet regulatory wastewater requirements, but also can significantly reduce treatment, labor, and disposal costs if the appropriate Cleartreat® separating agent is used.
Compared with labor-intensive multi-step processes, automated wastewater treatment can help simplify production, usually using a one-step process while reducing costs.
Automated wastewater treatment systems can eliminate the need to personally monitor equipment while complying with EPA and local mandatory requirements. According to the aerospace industry consultants of Sabo Industrial Corp., a New York-based manufacturer, distributor, and distributor, such automated systems can separate suspended solids, emulsified oils, and heavy metals, and encapsulate contaminants, resulting in easy dehydration within minutes Of sludge. An integrator of industrial waste treatment equipment and solutions, including batch and fully automated systems, Cleartreat separators, bag filters and accessories.
Use a dewatering table or bag filter to separate the water, and then discharge it to the sewer system or further filter for reuse as process water. Other dewatering options include the use of filter press or drum vacuum. The resulting solids are not leaching and are considered harmless and will therefore pass all required tests.
These systems can be used as manual batch processors, semi-automatic, automatic, and can be designed as closed-loop systems for water reuse or to provide legally discharged sewage suitable for sewer systems. A brand new, fully customized system is not always required. In many cases, where feasible, adding or modifying the facility’s current wastewater treatment system will be faster and more cost-effective.
However, because each wastewater stream is unique to its industry and application, each wastewater treatment solution must be suitable or tailored specifically to the application. Sabo Industrial’s aerospace industry consultants stated that the first step in assessing the potential cost savings and effectiveness of the new system is to sample the wastewater to determine its chemical composition, and then fully review the requirements of the local water authority.
It is also necessary to analyze the amount of wastewater to be treated to determine whether a batch processing unit or circulation system is required. Other considerations include size constraints to ensure that the system fits the available footprint of the facility.
Separating agents Although all advances have been made in automated wastewater treatment equipment, any such system requires an effective separating agent to agglomerate the wastewater solids in order to separate them safely and effectively.
Due to the importance of separating agents for wastewater treatment, Sabo Industrial uses a special type of bentonite in its ClearTreat wastewater treatment chemicals line. These wastewater treatment chemicals are formulated to destroy oil-water emulsions, remove heavy metals, and promote flocculation, coagulation and suspended solids removal.
Bentonite has a large specific surface area and a net negative charge, making it a particularly effective adsorbent and ion exchanger in wastewater treatment applications, which can remove heavy metals, organic pollutants, nutrients, etc. Bentonite is essential for effective packaging of these materials, and can usually be processed in one step, reducing process and disposal costs.
In contrast, systems using polymer-based products do not encapsulate toxins, so it is easier for waste to seep out over time or further agitation.
Today's automated systems, together with the most effective Cleartreat separation agent, can provide a simple, cost-effective alternative to industrial facilities, so they still comply with local regulations and EPA. Although these systems are costly, they do not require much attention and are more economical than paying fines or hauling.
Add unclassified satellite lines for national defense.
L3Harris Technologies is expanding its satellite production base to include advanced production of unclassified satellites, which will provide experimental capabilities for national defense.
Central Florida has more than 100,000 square feet of space for the development, manufacturing, and testing of complete satellites and components that have provided complex confidential capabilities for defense. The increased production capacity enables L3Harris to develop and test the Experimental Navigation Technology Satellite 3 (NTS-3), which is a priority for the US Air Force. The facility investment also makes it possible to develop and integrate three sizes of small and medium-sized response satellites to support the urgent mission of the US Department of Defense to respond to changing threats.
Ed Zoiss, president of L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems, said: "Our customers face urgent threats that must be addressed in months rather than years." "We prioritize investment in facilities to meet their accelerated schedule."
Two of the company's eight buildings have recently been upgraded to produce multiple end-to-end satellites per month. L3Harris has built 8 satellites currently in orbit in the expanded Palm Bay facility, and the other 10 are in various stages of development. The company plans to add more production capacity before the end of the year, producing six satellites per month.
VITA increases the payload capacity of the satellite, helping to propel the satellite to its final orbit and maintain its orbital position.
Power management company Eaton has successfully completed the qualification test of the aerospace industry's first valve box assembly (VITA) propulsion feed system. As the first satellite electric propulsion solution that integrates valves in the propellant tank, VITA eliminates the need for the casing of the traditional feed system, creating space for more payloads.
"Our VITA can help transform the satellite industry," said Craig Ryan, director of Eaton Aerospace's Space Systems Integration Product Team. "The efficient design of the VITA feeder system requires less space on the satellite bus, and it also saves integrators a lot of procurement, assembly, testing, troubleshooting and rework."
VITA will play a key role in helping propel the satellite into the final orbit and maintaining the position to maintain the orbital position. By enabling additional payload flexibility and control over the type of fuel that can be included in satellite missions, VITA is designed to support the ever-evolving satellite industry, especially in the highly competitive field of small satellite suppliers.
"We have the infrastructure to quickly meet the high demand and are currently accepting orders," Ruian said. "We look forward to supporting the success of many leaders and emerging innovators in the fast-growing satellite market."
Eaton’s VITA’s innovative design eliminates the feeding system housing by integrating the proportional flow valve technology into the housing and then integrating the housing into the neck of the lightweight composite propellant tank. The initial configuration of the VITA solution has two redundant shut-off valves to support one thruster to improve reliability. The embedded VITA design method supports modular satellite configurations, making architectural changes easier. The system has passed the xenon test and has proven to be fully compatible with krypton. The valve and fuel tank components can be pre-filled with propellant, then shipped and installed.
Eaton’s space propulsion technology includes fuel tanks, valves, regulators and feed systems, and can provide customized solutions to meet customer requirements.
The award has entered its third year and aims to recognize breakthrough design innovations in engineering fasteners.
Multi Piece Fastener won the 2021 Fastener Innovation Award from Worldwide Fastener Sources.com for its ForeverLok™ fastener design, which is a comprehensive source of fasteners worldwide.
This award has entered its third year and aims to recognize the breakthrough design innovations of today's engineering fasteners, which will become the standard in the coming years. The Fastener Innovation Award is one of the three prestigious awards in the fastener industry. It is as famous as the Eagle Award issued by the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) and the Fastener Hall of Fame Award issued by the International Fastener Expo (IFE).
Earl Size, founder of Multi Piece Fastener, said: "It is an honor to be named the winner of the Fastener Innovation Award. "As engineers use innovative fasteners as part of the design process to solve challenging vibration problems, we are proud to be able to Be part of the solution. "
In industries such as aerospace, marine, defense, construction, heavy equipment, oil and gas production, wind turbines, and automobiles, huge repetitive forces can cause fasteners to loosen. To prevent this self-loosening, the ForeverLok design involves three projects: central threaded fasteners, threaded middle fasteners and fixed fasteners. Essentially, the fastener system holds the nut in place to prevent it from loosening. The locking design does not use special pins, bolts or tools to install or remove nuts. It can be fixed/released with common tools only.
The ForeverLoK™ design can be used for licensing. For more information, please call Multi Piece Fastener at (248) 928-9602, or write to sales@multipiecefastener.com.