Internal and ambient pressure conditions, temperature extremes, materials, speed, weight, and fluid compatibility are some of the primary considerations in aircraft design.

Hydraulic Systems: The Heart and Arteries of Aircrafts

Hydraulic systems are used on aircraft to move and actuate landing gear, flaps and brakes. Larger aircraft rely heavily on these systems for flight controls, spoilers and thrust reversers. These systems are reliable due to using hydraulic fluid that is virtually incompressible and able to transmit

2020 was not the year any of us anticipated. It presented challenges and tested each and every one of us. Rather than focusing on the negative, we as a company think it's important to reflect on the positive things we accomplished together, to inspire hope as we enter the new year.

Hydraulic System Components in Aircraft

Though the same basic components are typically used across most aircraft, from a twin engine Cesena to a Boeing 787, hydraulic systems will vary depending on the size of the aircraft and the complexity of the application.

As with many other major industries such as automotive and medical equipment, the tier supplier network in aerospace is comprised of those who provide a variety of essential materials and commodities that are used to manufacture a finished product. There are three primary levels of segregation for tier suppliers; Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. Each of these tiers plays a significant role in the supply chain to aerospace OEMs and the support of U.S. military readiness. First we need to understand who the OEM is.

U.S. Aerospace & Defense Comprises 5 Major Segments

Commercial Aviation
The general aviation commercial aircraft segment is comprised of private companies that design, manufacture and service commercial aircraft, helicopters, commercial unmanned aerial vehicles, business jets & personal aircraft. 

The past couple of years have been years of growth and change for Brennan— from the construction of a new Global Headquarters facility, to updates in layout and processes in our facilities across the globe. Most recently, Brennan's Canadian Manufacturing facility has undergone new changes and a new layout to support a more efficient way of doing business and continued growth. With these changes, the facility was able to receive its ISO certification this November. 

The U.S. Aerospace & Defense industry is the world’s largest manufacturer of highly advanced aircraft, space systems and defense equipment. For over a century the aerospace and defense industries in America have been pivotal in creating the most superior military on the planet. As the technological leader in design and development the United States’ significant achievements have lead the way for today’s modern communication, transportation and medical achievements throughout the world. The Aerospace & Defense industry continues to be one of the largest employers and serves as the nation’s economic baseline through its vast supply chain; from the world’s largest defense contractors, down through the three primary manufacturing tiers. From major contractors such as General Dynamics, to tier one manufacturers such as little known Inseego’s IoT products and more widely known industrial manufacturers such as Babcock & Wilcox, all the way to local machine shops, the military industrial complex is the strongest segment in U.S. manufacturing. The system is tightly controlled, requiring participants to follow rigorous specifications such as ITAR registration (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), be in good standing on the QPL (Qualified Parts List) and Nadcap accredited (National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program).

In recent decades women have been playing an ever increasing role in industry; from sales, to the production floor, to engineering and the C-Suite. Women provide a major influence on the success of companies ranging from machine shops, to mid-size industrial manufacturers to Fortune 100 companies. The role of women today is unprecedented and long overdue. In what has traditionally been a man’s world, the growing contribution of women to our economy is being fostered by organizations such as:

Beginning October 5th, Brennan Corporate employees will begin a 10-day wellness challenge. This challenge is designed to give employees a chance to not only improve their own physical health, but also change their daily habits to better the environment, and challenge them to learn something new everyday. 

Saturday, September 26th is National Human Resources Day. If your HR department is anything like ours, they've been working tirelessly—especially these past few months. Not only have they been communicating new practices and procedures to keep employees safe and informed, our HR department has also been looking for new ways to boost employee morale. 

Forged Fittings Versus Casting

A cast fitting is made by pouring molten metal into a mold of the desired shape. Forged steel is stronger and more reliable than castings because the grain flow of the solid steel piece is altered to conform to the shape of the part in the die. Because of this, forging provides a uniformity of the structure and composition of the finished part. The refinement that occurs is due to the thermal cycle and deformation process which is what strengthens the final part in respect to internal working pressure, and external impact and shear strength.