U.S.-based ITT Corporation (Hall 4 Stand A11) is showcasing the expanding aerospace portfolio of its Aerospace Controls, Cannon, and Enidine divisions here at the Farnborough Airshow, highlighted by the debut of new valves, actuators and vibration control technologies.
ITT Aerospace Controls is introducing two new valves for aircraft fuel systems, a shrouded valve and fuel spar valve. Both valves eliminate fuel leakage and minimize vapor formation, thereby enhancing aircraft safety. The valves “are designed for production and OEM application, but our desire and strategy is to use these applications [also] for retrofitting and upgrading,” said Sable Arega-Hutton, director of sales and product management at ITT Aerospace Controls. This enables operators to comply with Airworthiness Directives related to fuel systems.
The division is also debuting three updated actuators. An improved opto actuator includes redundant sensing, which makes it more fault-tolerant and less prone to operational glitches. An enhanced dual motor actuator features a higher torque rating, improved reliability and longer service life, while an updated linear actuator features a more rigid housing and is more vibration resistant.
ITT’s Cannon division has been concentrating on new standards and critical applications for shock and vibration, as well as evolving technologies around wireless control and entertainment systems in aircraft. Here at the airshow, the division is debuting a trio of new connectors for the aerospace industry.
The new Cannon K-Lock ultra-high vibration, locking coupling system drastically reduces the possibility of decoupling during exposure to extreme high shock and vibration environments, such as found around aircraft engines, wheel wells and braking systems. The K-Lock connector can withstand more than 100 gs of shock, 2,000 Hz of vibration and up to 2,0000 hours of exposure to salt spray. Non-locking connectors “create the opportunity for failure, which could be catastrophic,” said Wes Morgan, ITT Cannon, director of product management, aerospace and defense.
The company is also previewing the ITT Cannon EN 3645, available in January 2015, a key interconnect for global aviation market developed around the 38999, which will be qualified for the European EN 3645 specification. The third new connector, the ITT Cannon EN 4165, releasing in Q1 2015, is a key cabin disconnect that will comply with European norm specs EN 3645.
For “connected cabins,” the company is displaying its Micro RF products, connectors that combine data and RF signals in single rectangular connector, minimizing the weight and footprint needed for a wireless access point for transmitting wireless data inside or outside of the aircraft.
ITT’s Enidine brand is debuting a selective lift-assist system the lightens the amount of force needed to lift large, drop-down stowage bins in modern aircraft, and a strut-integrated isolator that incorporates a fail-safe elastomeric cartridge directly in a strut, eliminating the need for separate elastomeric mounts.