Aircraft Hose and Tube Test Stand

The Aircraft Hose and Tube Test Stand developed by Hydraulics International, Inc. (HII) is a highly specialized, precision-engineered testing unit designed specifically to validate the integrity, performance, and reliability of aircraft hydraulic hoses and tubes. Hydraulic hoses and tubes play a critical role in aircraft safety, controlling essential systems such as landing gear, flight control surfaces, braking systems, and fluid transfer lines. To ensure these components function reliably under extreme operating pressures and conditions, rigorous testing and certification are mandatory.

This robust testing stand provides precise pressure control, capable of generating hydraulic pressures typically up to 15,000 PSI or even higher, depending on customer specifications. This high-pressure capability ensures hoses and tubes are thoroughly tested under conditions that accurately replicate their operational environment, revealing potential weaknesses, leaks, or defects before installation or after maintenance procedures.

The Aircraft Hose and Tube Test Stand features an advanced hydraulic pump system, commonly driven by an electric motor or an air-driven hydraulic booster, providing smooth, stable, and adjustable pressure delivery. The precise control over the hydraulic pressure ramp rate allows technicians to perform careful evaluations of hoses and tubes, verifying burst pressures, leakage rates, and sustained pressure hold performance.

An integral component of the test stand is its high-capacity stainless steel reservoir, equipped with filtration systems to maintain the cleanliness and integrity of hydraulic fluid. Typically, dual-stage filtration (high-pressure around 3 microns and low-pressure at approximately 25 microns) is employed to remove contaminants, ensuring accurate test results and prolonging equipment lifespan.

The test stand also incorporates comprehensive instrumentation, featuring high-accuracy pressure gauges, digital flow meters, temperature indicators, and leakage detection sensors. Real-time data acquisition systems are available, allowing operators to record detailed test results, monitor trends, and analyze performance metrics comprehensively. This ensures documentation meets aviation regulatory requirements and provides traceability for maintenance and quality assurance purposes.

Its robust, ergonomic design is tailored for ease of use and portability. The frame is constructed from heavy-duty materials capable of withstanding harsh operational environments commonly encountered in maintenance facilities. Convenient mobility features, such as wheels and lifting points, ensure the stand can be easily repositioned or transported between work areas within hangars, production facilities, or maintenance workshops.

The Aircraft Hose and Tube Test Stand is compatible with a broad range of aviation hydraulic fluids, including MIL-H-5606, MIL-H-83282, Skydrol, and other custom-specified fluids, allowing versatility across different aircraft types and hydraulic systems.

Applications:

• Component Certification: Verification and certification of newly manufactured or repaired hydraulic hoses and tubes before installation onto aircraft, ensuring compliance with stringent aerospace industry safety standards.

• Preventive Maintenance and Inspection: Periodic testing of existing aircraft hydraulic hoses and tubes to detect deterioration, potential leaks, or material fatigue, facilitating preventive maintenance and enhancing flight safety.

• Quality Assurance in Manufacturing: Used in aircraft component manufacturing facilities to assure consistent quality and reliability of hydraulic hoses and tubes through systematic testing and validation.

• Research and Development: Assists in development and validation of new hose and tube designs, materials, and construction methods, ensuring compliance with aviation standards and optimizing product performance.

Technical Specifications Table: