Aircraft Systems That Rely On Permanent Magnets
Permanent magnets are a staple of the aerospace industry. They’re primarily used in aircrafts’ electric actuation systems. In other words, permanent magnets — namely neodymium magnets — are used in the motors of these driving systems, such as braking, flight control, environmental control, oxygen production, and fuel.
With rare earth permanent magnets, you can establish a strong magnetic field without additional energy post-magnetization. This motor, created by replacing the electric field of a more traditional electric motor, is more efficient, reliable, responsive, and sleek. It’s also smaller in size, making it much more convenient.
Actuation Systems
There are four types of actuation systems used in a typical aircraft. These include hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, and mechanical. While the hydraulic actuation system is most commonly used, the electric actuation system probably has the most competitive potential. This comes along with the development of permanent magnets, as well as semiconductors and microprocessors.Aircraft Driving Systems
Below, we’ll discuss the different aircraft driving systems that use magnets and brushless DC motor technology:- Flight control system: in the 70s, frequent systems failures prompted the US to develop rare earth permanent magnet electric actuators. In the next generation of flight control wings and rudders, they used neodymium permanent magnet brushless DC motor technology in an electro-hydraulic actuator.
- Environmental control system: Since the early 80s, the US has been creating and testing an electric steam cycle system. It uses high-voltage rare earth permanent magnet brushless DC motors.
- Oxygen production system: the US has one of the most advanced oxygen concentrators for airborne equipment. It uses a slow, high-precision brushless DC motor stabilization system.
- Brake system: In 1998, there was a new electric brake system that used four permanent magnet brushless DC motors in the electric actuator.
- Fuel system: These days, fuel systems also use brushless DC motors made with neodymium or samarium-cobalt magnets. The pump is completely immersed in fuel, while the controller and magnet rotor are sealed in the same shell.