Customizable Aircraft Fuel Pumps Reduce Cost and Boost Reliability

Friday, September 21, 2018 by Aerospace Team

Reducing Costs and Increasing Reliability with Customizable Aircraft Fuel Pumps - Fuel Pump - Parker Fluid Systems Division Parker Aerospace’s Fluid System Division has a long history of supplying fuel pumps to both the civilian and military aviation markets. Detailed analysis and testing, combined with extensive hours of field operational experience, ensure our off-the-shelf pumps provide a proven, low-risk, and cost-effective solution for aircraft fuel system design.

Whether a fuel system requires a boost or transfer pump, each design within Parker’s product-line family has unique features and can be fully customized to meet specific operational requirements for fuel type, delivered flow, inlet/discharge pressures, and temperatures (fluid and ambient). Variations in mounting configuration, available electric drive power, and allowable installation weight can be accommodated to provide a fully customized solution if an existing design is not satisfactory for any new or retrofit applications. All pump models are designed to the requirements of MIL-STD-704, MIL-STD-810, ARP-5794, and RTCA DO160.

Parker Aerospace fuel pumps typically perform two functions within the fuel system. A “boost pump” supplies pressurized fuel from the main supply tank directly to the engine. A “transfer pump” moves fuel from one tank to another to maintain the center of gravity of the aircraft and to ensure the primary tanks remain full during flight. Pump selection is based on the requirements for delivered flow and pressure, as well as the available electric power system of the aircraft. To supply the optimal off-the-shelf solution, any specifications associated with a new application should be sent to Parker so the best available option can be selected and presented to the customer.

Parker’s fuel pump product lines

28 VDC brushed fuel pump

Designed for general aviation, business jet, and rotor aircraft, these brushed pumps run on a 28 VDC power system and perform both the boost and transfer functions in the fuel system. The direct-drive motor features carbon brushes that power a wound armature shaft. Hydraulic elements include centrifugal and vane assemblies. Pump mounting arrangements are tank submerged (wall and floor), in-line (outside the fuel tank), and cartridge/canister (wall and floor mounted with the pumping element removable without draining fuel from the tank).

Programs supported:

Beechcraft A100, B100, B200, E90
Bell 204, 205, 212, 412
Bell Canada 407
CASA CN235
Cessna Sovereign
Dornier 228 series
Embraer E170/E190, ERJ145, Super Tucano
LearJet 45
Leonardo AW109, AW139 series
Piaggio P.160, P.180
Sikorsky UH-60/SH-60

28 VDC brushless fuel pump

Designed for civilian and military aircraft, these brushless pumps run on a 28 VDC power system and perform both the boost and transfer functions in the fuel system. The pump is powered by a brushless DC drive system that consists of a permanent magnet motor and an analog electronic controller. Hydraulic elements are centrifugal assemblies. Pump mounting arrangements are tank submerged (floor), and cartridge/canister (floor mounted with pumping element removable without draining fuel from the tank).

Programs supported:

Embraer Legacy 450, 500
Northrop Grumman Global Hawk

270 VDC brushless fuel pump

Designed for military aircraft, these brushless pumps run on a 270 VDC power system and perform both the boost and transfer functions in the fuel system. The pump is powered by a brushless DC drive system that consists of a permanent magnet motor and a digital electronic controller that runs on configuration-controlled software. Hydraulic elements are centrifugal assemblies. Pump mounting arrangements are tank side-wall (bracket) mounted.

Programs supported:

Lockheed Martin F-35

Constant frequency AC (large frame and small frame) fuel pump

Designed for regional jets, rotor aircraft, and military aircraft, these pumps run on a 200VAC (L-L), 400 Hz constant frequency power input and perform both the boost and transfer functions in the fuel system. The electric drive is a classical induction motor with a copper-wound stator and squirrel-cage rotor. Hydraulic elements include centrifugal and gear assemblies. Pump mounting arrangements are tank submerged (wall and floor), in-line (outside the fuel tank), and cartridge/canister (wall and floor mounted with the pumping element removable without draining fuel from the tank).

Programs supported:

Airbus A340
Boeing A-160
COMAC ARJ-21
Bell Boeing V-22
Boeing C-17, CH-47
Bombardier Global Express
Bombardier Q400
Embraer ERJ170, Lineage
Lockheed Martin F-16
Northrop Grumman F/A-18
Sikorsky S-70, S-92, CH-148
Westland EH101

Variable frequency AC (small frame and large frame) fuel pump

Designed for small and large commercial transport aircraft, regional jet, and military aircraft, these small frame and large frame pumps run on a 200VAC (L-L) and 400 VAC (L-L), variable frequency power input (360 to 800 Hz) and perform both the boost and transfer functions in the fuel system. The electric drive is a classical induction motor with a copper-wound stator and squirrel-cage rotor. Hydraulic elements include centrifugal assemblies. Pump mounting arrangements are tank submerged (floor), and cartridge/canister (wall and floor mounted with pumping element removable without draining fuel from the tank).

Programs supported:

Airbus A350, A220
Bombardier Global Express, C Series
Raytheon Hawker 4000

Capability to support market demand

Parker Aerospace is increasing its production capability to supply fuel pumps to every market segment, from general aviation to military and large commercial transport. Our FSD-Elyria, Ohio, facility works with numerous key sub-tier companies to form a solid supply base, coupled with fabrication, assembly, and test facilities to supply every customer with products from small to large order quantities. Parker is committed to keeping pace with our customers’ needs.

For more information about Fuel Systems Division fuel pumps, please visit the Parker Aerospace off-the-shelf product page.

Customizable Aircraft Fuel Pumps Reduce Cost and Boost Reliability - Author Image - Parker Fuel Systems Division This post was contributed by senior principal engineer Bill Heilman of the Parker Aerospace Fluid Systems Division.