Methodical Purchasing Blog

For an electrical circuit to properly manage current for various components, there are often times in which current needs to be restricted. Generally, current restriction is achievable through increasing the resistance of a circuit, or one may simply reduce the amount of voltage flowing through it. With a device known as a rheostat, the flow of current within an electrical circuit may be controlled through the means of increasing or decreasing resistance.

Throughout the aerospace industry, flared or flareless fittings are used to attach sections of tubing. The SAE Aerospace Standards, commonly known as AS Standards, establish the requirements for fittings used in fluid systems throughout many types of aircraft. There are six common thread styles and connections used in aerospace fittings: AN 24 fittings, AN 37 fittings, O-ring bosses (ORBs), National Pipe Thread (NPT), hose barbs, and hose clamps. In this blog, we will discuss each type.

A constant speed propeller is a variable pitch propeller that automatically adjusts the pitch of the propeller to maintain a desired RPM. Unlike fixed-pitch propellers, which only operate at maximum efficiency during a single stage of flight, constant speed propellers are able to adjust to provide peak performance during each phase. Excessive pitch in a propeller creates drag and hinders power, while too little pitch causes the engine to work harder to reach the desired speed. Constant speed propellers eliminate this problem by partially rotating along their longest axis to alter its pitch, thereby increasing or decreasing its exposure to the air depending on airspeed. The vast majority of high-performance propeller-driven aircraft use constant speed propellers to help protect their powerful engines from excessive wear.

Rigid fluid lines are used throughout aircraft for fuel, oil, coolant, oxygen, instrument, and hydraulic lines. They are used in stationary applications where long and relatively straight runs are possible. To function properly, rigid fluid lines utilize a wide range of fittings. These include AN flared fittings, MS flareless fittings, swaged fittings, and cryofit fittings. In this blog, we will discuss each type of fitting and their unique characteristics.

When determining the altitude, altitude trend, or airspeed of a given aircraft, pilots rely on measurements that have been gathered from the capturing of atmospheric air and flight deck instruments. With a device known as the pitot tube, ram air pressure can be measured by instruments in order to attain flight pertinent information that benefits safety and efficiency. To understand how instruments such as the airspeed or altitude indicator function, one must first be knowledgeable of the pitot tube and its operations.

When operating assemblies with moving parts, bearings serve as crucial components that facilitate motion, transfer loads, and provide lubrication to mitigate friction. When designed for use in aircraft, such bearings are made to be highly robust in order to withstand the extreme conditions of flight. As such, aerospace bearings are manufactured to meet military specifications as dictated by the United States government and are often capable of withstanding forces such as corrosion, extreme temperatures, and shock. Depending on the needs of a particular assembly, various types of bearings may be used with different sizes, weights, and load capacity requirements.

A diode is a type of electronic component that features two-terminals, and they allow for current to be conducted in a single direction. With operations similar to that of a fluid valve, diodes may be used within electronic circuits in order to dictate the patch of electricity as it moves through a system. While simplistic in their functionality, a diode’s ability to maintain a single direction of current while impeding any reverse flow is beneficial for a number of electronic systems and applications. In this blog, we will discuss the common types of diodes and their functionalities, allowing you to understand their various uses in electronic systems.

Though ethernet switches, routers, and modems look similar at a glance, they each play a different role within a network. This blog will discuss what each of these three devices are, how they are different, and how they function within a network.

When constructing an aircraft and its various structures, a great number of fasteners are utilized to conjoin parts and components to form assemblies. Screws and bolts are two common aircraft fastener types that are widely used throughout the construction process, and both are often confused with one another due to their similar designs and appearances. Despite their common characteristics, bolts and screws present different uses for aircraft construction, each providing their unique benefits and drawbacks which make them optimal for their respective applications.

Valves are indispensable components of fluid systems, allowing for the regulation and control of fluid flow and pressure. Solenoid valves in particular are a type of electrically controlled valve, allowing for remote control for opening and closing. Solenoid valves are extremely useful, allowing for more complex piping systems that can utilize automatic control to both create an ease of operation, as well as increase safety of workers for plumbing systems that are in hazardous areas.