As such, all components within an aviation-related system must operate perfectly for everything to run smoothly.
Certain components that make up the proverbial “chain” may inspire newscasts, whereas others occupy oblivion. One such “invisible” component, and arguably the most significant, is the precision aircraft bearings that enable thousands of aircraft, support vehicles, and deployed operations to function.
Different precision bearings are used across various aerospace applications, including commercial and military aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Below, we will discuss the importance of using precision bearings for aviation systems, the different bearing types, and the various engineering considerations/technology trends that accompany modern aviation as it grows more sophisticated.
What Are Precision Bearings?
Precision bearings refer to specialized rolling-element bearings that are manufactured to very stringent standards. These are different from standard industrial bearings, which are designed to operate within constraints. Precision bearings are manufactured to withstand very high operating parameters. Simply put, these bearings are made to perform at high specification parameters. High-speed, high-load, heavy vibrations, and extreme temperatures are some examples that are often par for the course in the aviation industry.
The Role of Precision Bearings in Aviation Systems
Aircraft are intricate machines with many moving parts, chief among them being machinery with rotating parts. These parts must be frictionless and need to operate in extreme conditions. This is where precision bearings play a role in the operation of aircraft systems.
1. Engines and Turbomachinery
Aircraft engines operate under extreme temperatures and pressure. Precision bearings in aircraft engines take the load of the main shafts and provide operation without very close limits of clearance, so the compressor and turbine rotate without difficulty. These bearings are supposed to put the rotating templates in place at speeds crossing tens of thousands of RPM, yet operate even in the face of high axial and radial loads.
2. Landing Gear Assemblies
Landing gear systems require fast, high-force bearing movement during deployment and retraction. Suitable bearings must be able to absorb shock, carry varying loads, and resist wear, all while supporting efficient movement for an aircraft taxiing, taking off, or landing.
3. Flight Control Systems
Flight actuators, like ailerons, rudders, and elevators, use small, high-performance bearings to move with minimal friction. These bearings must be able to accommodate varying loads and endure low torque rotation. Because they are used in systems that control an aircraft’s movement and safety, a bearing’s sensing capabilities must be high.
4. Avionics and Instrumentation
Gyroscopes and inertial navigation systems depend on miniature precision bearings to operate with maximum accuracy. In these delicate instruments, even the slightest deviation or vibration caused by a bearing error could lead to inaccurate flight data and geolocation. To validate such high-precision systems, engineers often use GPS simulation tools like those offered by Safran. GPS simulators allow for testing navigation and positioning systems in controlled, repeatable environments – ensuring avionics perform flawlessly before real-world deployment.
Types of Precision Bearings Used in Aviation
The aerospace industry typically uses bearings of all types and functions for a variety of operations—ball bearings for the high-speed, delicate balancing of components. Roller bearings for heavier loads. Thrust bearings for axial loading requirements. Spherical or flanged bearings for the operation of control linkage mechanisms.
Hybrid bearings are also a critical component in aircraft design since they are high-temperature and corrosion-resistant. All of these must work together perfectly to ensure an aircraft’s performance and reliability under harsh conditions.
Why Precision Matters
When it comes to precision bearings for aerospace applications, the term “precision” isn’t simply about tight tolerances. This is about bearings that simply must perform under conditions where failure is not an option. A single bearing flaw may not entirely degrade a supporting system, but it will cause it to wear more quickly. Or, it could cause a catastrophic system failure if the system is flight-critical.
So, aviation engineers and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) must rely on precision bearings that outperform aviation industry standards. There are stringent requirements in terms of reliability, traceability, and the supply chain, including testing and certification processes.
From the engines and gear cases to control systems and sensors, precision bearings for aerospace applications are the workhorses of aerospace engineering. The function of lessening the friction required to enable the movement and maintenance of operational and functional reliability is crucial. Perhaps even more so than in the past, as the technology of aircraft and the complexity of aircraft systems continue to advance.
Which aviation component would you like us to deep-dive into next? Let us know in the comments below!
