how to measure aircraft cable tension

If the final alignment and adjustment of a system are correct, it should be possible to withdraw the rigging pins easily. Optional features including: Analog Output and Serial Output, All models typically available from stock, Includes easy to use, cable diameter gage to accurately determine correct cable size, Numerous application specific models available, Durable, lightweight carrying case with protective foam inserts, All instruments factory-calibrated and ready for use. Trim tabs and other tabs should be checked in a manner similar to the main control surfaces. The plunger will move up and the riser will contact the cable at a right angle to the clamping points on the anvils. Bhavya Velani is the Founder of Aviation A2Z. The indirect reading tensiometers require the use of several different removable risers that are used to measure different cable sizes. After a system has been adjusted, the full and synchronized movement of the controls should be checked. Usually there are two sets of stops for each of the three main control surfaces. Adjust the cable tension, maintaining the rudder, elevators, or ailerons in the neutral position. There are various types of Polyethylene, polyurethane, polyester elastomer, cellular fluoro polymer fluoroelastomer, Mylicon poly Cables for different purposes. A pointer lock is built into the tensiometer to view the cable tension measurement when the dial is facing away from the operator. First select the cable size from the instruments menu. So, why arent aircraft falling out of the sky with up to 30-percent error rates in their cable tensions? The dial reading is converted to pounds of tension as follows. Rugged units require no oiling & require a minimum of care. The calibration card is created for each specific tensiometer. 1 riser is used with 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8 cable. For more information on Cable Tensiometer calibration, contact e2b calibration. Jeff is also the creator of SocialFlight, the free mobile app and website that maps over 20,000 aviation events, $100 Hamburgers, and educational aviation videos www.SocialFlight.com. Tension meter are designed for a variety of systems including measuring tension of young man cables, wire cord, tower output, overhead lines and more. Calibrations for 7/32 and other cable sizes can be added to the cable selection menu upon request. When actually taking a reading of cable tension in an aircraft, it may be difficult to see the dial. Tensitron instruments are designed to quickly check the tension on aircraft cables from 1/16 in. Definition :- the axial force transmitted by a rope, cable, chain, or similar continuous object in a single orbit. He has spent the last 22 years promoting owner-assisted aircraft maintenance and recently certified the FlexAlert Multifunction Cockpit Annunciator. The process is simple: Clamp the tensiometer on the cable, take a reading, compare it to the calibration chart with the tool (referencing cable size), and you get the resulting tension. Modify your browser's settings to allow Javascript to execute. To measure the tension on a cable, the cable to be tested is placed between the two anvils and the tensiometer handle or trigger is closed. Included with each tensiometer is a conversion chart, which is used to convert the dial reading to pounds. If jackscrews are used to actuate the trim tab, check to see that they are not extended beyond the specified limits when the tab is in its extreme positions. These ruggedly constructed, durable instruments are accurate and reliable. Or on the other side of a rod, truss member, or similar object with three sides. There are various tools used for measuring surface travel, including protractors, rigging fixtures, contour templates, and rulers. When checking the range of movement of the control surface, the controls must be operated from the flight deck and not by moving the control surfaces. When rig pins are not provided, the neutral positions can be established by means of alignment marks, by special templates, or by taking linear measurements. However, the weight actually moved up a little bit to account for the deflection that the tool placed on the cable. The force that is required to do this is indicated by the dial pointer. Then, place the cable to be tested under the two anvils and close the trigger (move it up). Aircraft Mechanic School Study Supplement for Future Aviation Maintenance Technicians. These work as override stops to prevent stretching of cables and damage to the control system during violent maneuvers. This protractor is made up of a frame, disk, ring, and two spirit levels. 5/32: 140-800 lbs. Most In Stock Items ordered before Noon CST ship same day. This feature allows the user to select the duration the instrument takes tension readings over and posting that average to the display. Tensiometers are hand-held devices used to measure cable friction. DGCA has begun 2 month special audit of airlines, due to rising tech snags, NASA Boeing 747 damaged in New Zealand Due to Severe Weather, Air France aircraft back to Paris after Technical issues | Exclusive, Exclusive: Aviation Minister inaugurates Spicejets Jabalpur-Kolkata flight, Airlines cant charge extra for a boarding pass at check-in desks in airports: Civil Aviation, DGCA releases Air Traffic Data for June Month, 237% monthly Growth | Exclusive, Jet Airways lenders threaten to go bankrupt, Regarding rental revenue | Exclusive, Exclusive: Pilot Kamal Kumar surprises his family by flying them home | watch what the Pilot did, Indian startup ePlane Company to launch a flying taxi by 2023 | Exclusive. Various types of protractors are used to determine the travel of flight control surfaces. Today, the organization has its own website & App, and it is available on multiple platforms. To prove the point, I asked the technicians to run a test. H-Type Cables: These cables are designed for Hochstaedter and are used for 22 and 33 kV systems. Selectable units (lb., kg, or daN) Cables are used in an aircraft to connect the flight controls in the cockpit with the movable parts on the aircrafts wings and stabilizers, such as the ailerons, elevators and rudder. The disk and ring turn independently of each other and of the frame. This page requires Javascript. Calibrations for other cable sizes are available upon request. Feel free to ask a question or simply leave a comment. One set is located at the control surface, either in the snubber cylinders or as structural stops; the other, at the flight deck control. However, on some aircraft, the specifications may require that the trim tabs be offset a degree or two from streamline when in the neutral position. endstream endobj startxref to 500 lb. Features: Manufactured of rugged anodized aluminum, this gauge is corrosive resistant and will give years of service. The entire cable is covered with a lead shaft through the extraction process to prevent moisture from entering the cable. Low Strength Cables: Low power cables up to 1 kV for paper use oil-coated; varnished cambric and refined bitumen are some of the antibodies used in low-strength cords. In many cases, hydraulic rams or pull test machines can be used to apply the varying forces for the calibration, and load cells can be used to accurately measure the force on the cable. Power supply operates with input voltages from 100 240V and includes several, interchangeable adapters allowing use with European, Australian, US, English and other plug configurations. In many cases, a graphical chart will be generated from the calibration data. The specific riser needed for the appropriate cable size is listed on the calibration card for each tensiometer. When it has been determined that the aircraft is symmetrical and structural alignment is within specifications, the cable tension and control surface travel can be checked. Jeff Simon is an A&P, IA, pilot, and aircraft owner. They are often used in the aviation industry during cable rigging in aircraft by aircraft manufacturers and for periodic cable maintenance by aircraft maintenance technicians. /contenthandler/!ut/p/digest!eMG_dF9W7VSZbxRv9aZp4g/pm/oid:--portletwindowid--@oid:Z6_GHK6HJC0OG6S20Q8HU3K6R0G63, /contenthandler/!ut/p/digest!eMG_dF9W7VSZbxRv9aZp4g/um/secure/currentuser/profile?expandRefs=true. %PDF-1.5 % Battery Chargers ,Inverters , Converters, Power Supplies. A rig pin is a small metallic pin or clip. Extend a horizontal line from the point of intersection to the right edge of the chart. With that mystery solved, I can sleep well at night knowing that my aircrafts bolts are tight, its linkages are within spec, and its cables are under the exact tension that the designers wantedwhatever that might truly be. The calibration machine now read 20 pounds. However, when the tool is calibrated, Essco technicians clamp the tool onto the cable first, then pull the cable until the cable is under a known load (with the cable tensiometer attached). For more information about COVID-19 please visit: COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal, For more information about POPI please visit our Privacy Policy page. Another variable that must be taken into account when adjusting cable tension is the ambient temperature of cable and the aircraft. Fits cable sizes 3/32, 1/8, 5/32. We are Indias leading aviation organization dedicated towards supporting and helping aviation professionals. Both types are designed to measure various types of cable, cable sizes and cable tensions. Large, easy to read graphic display clearly shows selected cable size, tension & battery charge level. Special thanks to the wonderful folks at Essco for opening their doors to my visit during these challenging times. An inexpensive yet accurate method of checking cable tension. 6375 Dixie Road, Unit 7 A riser or plunger is pressed against the cable to form the offset. Approximately 12 hours of continuous use depending upon backlighting intensity. To determine the amount of tension on a cable, a tensiometer is used. Your email address will not be published. Dialing will have some graduation that shows the cable incompatibility with each cable size the instrument can measure. Lightweight, portable Tensitron is a KTC Instruments Company, founded in 1935, which designs, manufactures, sells, and services digital, mechanical and electronic tension measuring instrumentation. Aviation A2Z provides the Latest News, Exclusive Blogs, Verified Jobs, and More. In addition, most control cables are not used anywhere near their load limits. He now shares his expertise through his articles on the Aviation A2Z Website. See your browser's documentation for specific instructions. Rechargeable NiMH batteries with power supply provided. The answer is simple: They know that the numbers our gauges are reading arent accurate in an absolute sense. They design cable tensions so our gauges will read 15 pounds when they actually want the cable to be under 10 pounds of tension. Either of these may serve as the actual limit stop. We attached the tensiometer, then brought the tension up to 15 pounds on the calibration machine. @`=}c5:jNvx. 38 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<5AF8AFEF096FAFB1A7D6AD993AF57978>]/Index[23 38]/Info 22 0 R/Length 84/Prev 139937/Root 24 0 R/Size 61/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream The value at this point indicates the tension (rigging load in pounds) to establish on the cable. After the tab and tab control are in the neutral position, adjust the control cable tension. Ranges 3/32: 70-300lbs, 1/8: 100-500 lbs. However, when it came time to calibrate my cable tensiometer, the process I witnessed blew my mind. Central - Fort Worth, TX After observing the reading, pull the lock out and the pointer returns to zero. Extremely accurate custom calibration procedure employing up to a 10-point multilinearization procedure. #g J5 Tensiometers should be calibrated at a minimum of one year or sooner depending on how often the tensiometer is used. In my last column, I covered the why and how for calibrating common shop tools such as torque wrenches during my visit to Essco Calibration Laboratory in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. They design it so that everything moves smoothly and safely, then clamp on a tensiometer, see what it says, and put that number into the maintenance manual. Cable rigging involves the setting of the travel limits and cable tensions of the cables in the aircraft control system. East - Peachtree City, GA Canada, L5T 2E7. Each riser is of a different height which makes it possible to accurately measure tensions of different cable sizes. If you didnt catch on yet to why my mind was blown while witnessing this process, let me explain. To compensate for temperature variations, cable rigging charts are used when establishing cable tensions in flight control, landing gear, and other cable-operated systems. Tensitron is pleased to announce its 5th generation of digital aircraft cable tension meters, using the latest technology, software, and design improvements providing unsurpassed accuracy and resolution for numerous material sizes and tension ranges.

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