Systems
A set assembled from a number of subsystems or individual components connected to each other, and capable of treating physical matter, energy, or information, in order to meet the purpose or number of purposes
Systems Engineering
A holistic interdisciplinary management process, aimed at evolving a lifecycle balanced set of system solutions which satisfy customer needs.
Pyramid of systems (Fill in blanks from top to bottom)
Enterprise, System of Systems, System, Subsystem, Components
Factors influencing system design
Advancement in technologies, Competition, Specialization
Principle of systems thinking (two terms)
Hierarchy, Viability
System engineering problem solving STEP 1
Understand the Problem context
System engineering problem solving STEP 2
Identify and Understand the problem
Structure of Systems Engineering 1
SE Management
Structure of Systems Engineering 2
Requirements and Architecture definition
Structure of Systems Engineering 3
Development of subsystems
Structure of Systems Engineering 4
System integration and Verification
Lifecycle
The evolution with time of a System from idea to disposal
Lifecycle Stage
An identified Objective in the Life of a system, used to manage the resources and activities of a project
Lifecycle proccess
A squence of tasks needed to achieve a defined goal, within the objectives of a lifecycle phase
Generic process model (1st one)
Waterfall model
Process interdependencies in V model (one example)
Systems architecture and system integration
System Design Methodology (3points)
Initiation of creative processes, Envisage all elements needed for system design, Assurance that the design has appropriate consequences on environment and society
Two types of Customer needs
Direct, Latent
Types of Systems Architecture (two types)
Integral, Modular
Two methods used for Concept design
Traditional Brain storming, Brain ball method
Aerospace system
Systems used on board and aircraft or spacecraft
on-board Aerospace system (4)
Hydraulic, Pneumatic, Electrical, Landing gear
How do we classify Aerospace systems? (from perspective of safety)
Primary, Secondary, Auxiliary
What are the design specs for Aerospace Systems? (+ give an example)
Qualitative and quantitative definition of system functions, Definition of environmental characteristics, Maintainability. Example = Temperature
What are the most important constraints for the design of the Aerospace systems? (example)
Weight, Available Volume (in terms of fuel systems)
What does a Functional diagram represent?
It represents the functions performed by system components
Name a technical drawing type
Drawing of parts
Name all the quantities defining power
Mechanical (velocity), Mechanical (Angular velocity), Electrical (Voltage), Fluid-Hydraulic (Pressure), Fluid-Gaseous (specific Enthalpy)
Name an on-board system and the type of power it consumes
On-Board lights, electrical
What is the viscosity of a fluid?
Represents the fluids resistance to flow
What is dynamic viscosity?
Measure of a fluids resistance to flow when an external force is applied to it
What is kinematic viscosity?
Dynamic viscosity per unit density
What is vapour pressure?
a measure of the volatility of a liquid
What is the 'Flash point' of hydraulic fluid or fuel?
the lowest temperature where a fluid evaporates enough to burn if ignited
What is 'Auto-ignition point'?
the lowest temperature when flame is generated in presence of air, with no external ignition.
What is compressibility of fluid
the property of a fluid to change volume when subjected to changing pressure
What is the bulk modulus? (give the unit)
a measure of compressibility, Psi
What is 'effective bulk modulus?'
Bulk modulus that considers gas in the system
Define Pascal's Principle
pressure change in one part is transmitted without loss to every portion of the fluid and to the walls of the container
What is the 'pressure drop' phenomenon?
when a fluid flows in a pipe of constant section and height, with no exchange of energy with the external world, it anyway decreases its pressure
What is Reynolds number?
a dimensionless number used in fluid mechanics to indicate whether fluid flow past a body or in a duct is steady or turbulent
What is the 'hydraulic diameter'?
the cross-sectional area of the channel divided by the wetted perimeter
For turbulent flow, friction coefficient is a function of which parameter?
mean flow velocity
What is the 'loss coefficient'?
measures the minor loss to the change in velocity due to friction through pipes, fittings, and valves
What is the purpose of hydraulic systems?
Transformation, distribution and utilization of mechanical energy through the use of incompressible fluid at high pressures
What type of hydraulic device generates and maintains pressure inside hydraulic system?
pumps, valves, hydro-accumulators
What are the main positive aspects of Hydraulic Systems? (3 points)
high efficiency of the power transmission, ability to withstand overloads without damage, high reliability
Which aircraft systems are powered by hydraulics? (2 examples)
Flight controls, Airbrakes
What are the advantages of high pressure hydraulic installations?
smaller size of actuator/cylinders for the same level of power/force required, less weight
Which types of pump works on fluid-dynamic principle? (2 examples)
centrifugal, axial
Which type of volumetric-positive displacement pump you know? (2 examples)
rotary, reciprocating
What is the required number of pistons for smooth operation of piston pump? (numerical range)
7-9
How operating pressure affects the flow capacity of positive displacement pumps?
Flow rate decreases due to loss of volumetric efficiency as the pressure increases (variation is small)
Why should we keep pressure constant in hydraulic systems?
the system control is based on regulating the constant pressure in the installation
What are the methods of flow regulation for volumetric pumps?
Pump with constant delivery with a regulator valve, Pump with variable flow delivery
What is the purpose of piping in on-board aerospace hydraulic systems?
Distribution of flow and pressure
What is the role of hydraulic accumulator?
short emergency operation, damping of pressure fluctuations
What types of hydraulic accumulator you know?
Spring, Direct gas-fluid, gas-piston, gas-diaphragm, gas-bladder
Name two types of hydraulic actuators?
Spring, gas-piston
What is purpose of heat exchanger in hydraulic system?
control temperature, and therefore viscosity
What is function of relief valve?
control pressure in a system
What is function of check valve?
Prevent backflow
What is purpose of hydraulic distributor?
Regulate the flow of a fluid
Which on-board systems use pneumatics? (2 examples)
Air conditioning, defrosting
What is the main source of air for pneumatics, and where it comes from?
Bleed air (air from jet engine)
What is purpose of a compressor, explain how compressor works?
Transforms mechanical energy into potential energy (air pressure). Uses kinetic energy of the rotor to slow the flow of a fluid and therefore increase pressure
What is purpose of a turbine, explain how turbine works?
extracts energy from fluid flow and converts it into useful work. airflow moves the turbine blades which transfers energy to a rotor
How should we start a main aircraft jet-engine with pneumatic system?
with a burst of compressed air on the jet-engine turbine
What is purpose of wheels in lending gear assembly?
Support for the tire, connections for bearings axle and brakes
What is purpose of brakes in wheel assembly, and how they function?
Provide slowdown and stopping of the aircraft during landing and taxiing
What type of brakes you know? (2 types)
Drum brakes, disc brakes
What are the main components of Disk Brakes?
Rotor disc, Stator disc
How disk brakes functioning?
The brakes act by introducing a friction torque which tends to slowdown the rotation of the wheel
What materials are used for making disk brakes rotors and stators?
combination of steel and composite carbon base materials
How brakes Anti-Blocking System (ABS) works on aircraft?
avoid wheel locking by modulating the braking system pressure
What are the main parameters we should know in order to estimate how much airplane kinetic energy on lending is dissipated by the brakes?
riving torque, brake torque, tangential or horizontal force on the ground, friction torque
Which aircraft systems use the electrical power as the energy source?
Navigation instruments, cabin lighting, navigation lights, anti-ice protection
What are the electrical power sources on board of the aircraft? (6 sources)
Main aircraft engines, A.P.U, connection with ground network, Pneumatic engines, R.A.T, batteries
How we can convert AC to DC?
AC to DC conversion with Transformer Rectifying Unit TRU
How we can convert DC to AC?
DC to AC conversion with static inverters
How we can store electrical power on board of the aircraft?
Batteries
What types of the batteries you know? (4 types)
Pd, Ni-Cd, Ag-Zn, Li-Ion
How we can prevent electrostatic charges to damage the aircraft? (3 points)
establish electrical continuity between all the external structural elements of the aircraft, introduce electrical charge sinks, aircraft grounding at landing
What is stands for "Ram Air Turbine"?
a small turbine that is installed in an aircraft and used as an alternate or emergency hydraulic or electrical power source
Name one component of Aircraft Electrical System: Generation
Stator
Name one component of Aircraft Electrical System: Regulation
Alternator
Name one component of Aircraft Electrical System: Distribution
Cabling
Name one component of Aircraft Electrical System: Auxiliary Systems
Terminals
Name one component of Aircraft Electrical System: Utilization
Switches
What is the voltage + frequency of AC current used on aircraft?
115/270V, 400Hz or variable
What is the voltage of DC current used on aircraft?
28V
What does IDG stand for?
Intergraded drive generator
Name the flight control surface required to produce pitch
Elevators
Name the flight control surface required to produce yaw
Rudder
Name the flight control surface required to produce roll
Ailerons
What are the Primary Flight controls?
Control of aircraft movement around the principal axes of inertia
What are the Secondary Flight controls?
Flaps, spoilers, airbrake, engine control-thrust reversers, landing gear extraction-retraction
Which combination of the control surfaces represents: Elevon?
Elevator, Aileron
Which combination of the control surfaces represents: Flaperon?
flaps, ailerons
Which combination of the control surfaces represents: Taileron?
Elevator+ Aileron on tail