Druck wins through product excellence
Customer Type: Druck’s Customer is a major global aircraft manufacturer that provides jet aircraft used for commercial, executive, military and security related services.
Industry: Aerospace
Application: Improving in flight performance of the Environmental Control System (ECS)
Solution: The Druck Aerospace team were able to develop a bespoke low pressure (bi- differential) sensor that would satisfy the specific needs of the customer’s ECS architecture. This was based on adapting a product within Druck’s 3000 series Aerospace pressure sensor platform.
Commercial jets are designed to carry passengers safely and comfortably from one point to another. During flight, external conditions can reach temperatures as low as -70°F at a height of 36,000 ft, with atmospheric pressure equal to 3.3 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch). For aircraft to transport passengers safely and comfortably in these environmental extremities, they are fitted with Environmental Control Systems (ECSs) which provide an environment akin to conditions inside a road vehicle.
The ECS, installed within commercial jet airframes, provides a constant flow of clean air, thermal control and stable cabin pressure for the crew and passengers. For these reasons the reliability of the ECS is paramount in order to guarantee safety and comfort of flight occupants whilst ensuring the normal operation of the aircraft’s electronic equipment on board.
Druck’s Customer was experiencing challenges with their ECS, which required close control of the balanced low pressure within their system. The comparator system used to drive the ECS needed to achieve a PSI reading close to zero from two pressure sources. The bi-directional differential sensor needed to operate within a +/- 4 PSI range balanced around zero. Any deviation from zero would result in a voltage output, providing a signal to the control system to either increase or decrease the flow around the ducting within the aircraft.
Having a reliable pressure sensor that could provide this level of control was proving to be challenging for the customer. Failures within this application could cause AOG (aircraft on ground) conditions, resulting in rising costs for the customer and a potential loss of overall airframe credibility.
Following a full review of the ECS requirements and several face to face discussions, Druck agreed to develop a bespoke pressure sensing solution that would address the Customer’s needs. Based on Druck’s existing Aerospace pressure sensor 3000 series platform, the solution offered was a low risk analogue product that met the tight accuracy requirements currently being served with a digitally corrected device. Since there were no requirements for flight qualified software, the Druck team were able to complete the project within an 18-month cycle – a very short timeframe compared to many Aerospace related projects involving the integration of new components into flight applications.
Benefits from Druck’s bespoke pressure sensing solution included:
- Reliable solution - the rigorous process involved in conditioning the silicon which is used as the basis for Druck’s pressure sensors.
- Sensor reliability - this prevents AOG condition of the aircraft, which results in unscheduled maintenance, associated costs and the potential loss of airline and airframe credibility and reputation.
- Savings in time for the customer to complete the product qualification.
- Competitive pricing point offered by Druck - no high development costs for the customer.
As a result of the successful program, Druck are now selling this product directly to a new major customer in the Aerospace segment and have seen the previously qualified product now being used on another aircraft platform by the same customer.
Next time you adjust the air vent above your seat, remind the person next to you that the process is facilitated by a pressure sensor supplied by the Druck Aerospace team.
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