Rotary actuators control 26 axle transporter steering

Citation

(1998), "Rotary actuators control 26 axle transporter steering", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770fad.009

Rotary actuators control 26 axle transporter steering

Rotary actuators control 26 axle transporter steering

Keywords Actuators, Parker Hannifin, Transporters

A total of 26 Parker Hannifin hydraulic rotary actuators are the major components in the steering control system for the 26 steerable, two-wheeled axles on the transporter built by French company, Gaussin, for transportation and handling of European Airbus assemblies at the Aerospatiale manufacturing facility at St Nazaire in France (Plate 4).

The remote controlled transporter measures 23 metres long by 4 metres wide and has an unladen weight of 36 tonnes ­ maximum laden weight is 81 tonnes. Eight tonnes of batteries supply power to the main generators ­ two 185kW batteries per transporter.

Each of the 26 axles has two wheels whose steering is controlled by a Parker Hannifin HTR10 hydraulic rotary actuator. Positional control of each rotary actuator is provided by a proportional valve driven from an encoder mounted directly onto the actuator pinion. All 26 Parker HTR10 rotary actuators are synchronised to ensure a tolerance of ± 10 over 360º of rotation. The rotary actuators self-centre the steering in the straight-ahead position.

Further details are available from Parker Hannifin. Tel: +44 (0) 1923 492000.

Plate 4 The transporter built by French company, Gaussin, for transportation and handling of European Airbus assemblies