400-Series wet vacuum pump for reciprocating aero-engines

Citation

(2006), "400-Series wet vacuum pump for reciprocating aero-engines", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778aad.004

400-Series wet vacuum pump for reciprocating aero-engines

400-Series wet vacuum pump for reciprocating aero-engines

Keywords: Aircraft engines, Pumps

Airwolf Filter Corp reports that it has successfully completed all certification testing required by the FAA for its 400 Series wet vacuum pump, a follow-on to its 200 Series wet pump launched in 2004. According to Airwolf the new 400 Series is applicable for all piston aircraft fitted with de-icing boots and is expected to find wide acceptance with the pilot community due to its long life and guaranteed reliability.

The Series 200 and 400 are stated by Airwolf to be the only certified new wet pumps available on the market, and the only ones approved for all piston aircraft engines. Series 200 pumps drive the vacuum system, while the 400 Series activate deicing boots.

The certification tests included continuous runs of 300 h, including one of 2,000 h; proof of successful, repeated operation at temperatures of -50°F; and maintenance of maximum vacuum during all runs. Airwolf guarantees its newly-manufactured wet pumps for 2,000 flight hours or 10 years, allowing them to operate reliably for the TBO of the engine.

Computer-aided manufacturing allows Airwolf to meet tighter tolerances and more accurately machined chambers and vanes than was possible on pumps designed more than 40 years ago.

Airwolf wet vacuum pumps are machined from aluminum billet and employ cast-iron liners, and precision ball bearings. The soft, oil-impregnated graphite vanes are robust – and are lubricated by a thin mist of filtered engine oil.

Airwolf Filter Corp also reports that it has been awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from the US FAA for its air-oil separator as installed on the Cirrus SR 22 piston engine aircraft. With over 2,000 Cirrus aircraft already flying, Airwolf expects a strong market acceptance from this quarter.

The Walker Air-Sep, now manufactured by Airwolf, acts both to distill and re-circulate crankcase oil vapor generated by normal operation, and also to remove corrosive water vapor from the crankcase, for longer engine life and integrity.

“Our Air-Sep keeps oil vapor from venting overboard in flight”, said Airwolf's John Kochy, “with the added benefit of cleaner belly skins. The significant reduction in oil consumption, and removing harmful water vapor are very useful byproducts of the process”.

The company's air-oil separators are STC approved on a wide variety of aircraft. Airwolf systems are endorsed and recommended by engine overhaul shops such as Covington, Air Repair, Penn Yan, Mattituck, G&N, Aero Engines, Aero Recip, Aircraft Cylinder & Turbine, Sun Air Parts and Tulsa Aircraft Engines.

Details available from: Airwolf Filter Corp., Tel: +1 800 3261534, web site: www. airwolf.com