NSN Unlimited Blog

Like anything made of metal, aircraft batteries are always in danger of corrosion. Altogether, harsh operating environments, exposure to moisture, and chemical reactions each pose a risk of corroding battery terminals and their surrounding components. Nevertheless, as a critical aspect of an aircraft's electrical system, it is essential that these batteries remain protected from corrosion to ensure optimal performance and reliability. In this blog, we will explore effective measures to safeguard aircraft batteries from damage, mitigating potential risks and extending their lifespan.

With hundreds of different fastener types available, it can be hard to choose which is appropriate for a given application. Although bolts and screws are the most common and have a broad utility, there are numerous specialty devices that are beneficial to be aware of. One such component is the spring pin which is a cylindrical mechanical fastener capable of compression and expansion as required. In this blog, we will discuss the fundamentals of spring pins, alongside their functionality across various applications.

Wind is the movement of air caused by the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun and the Earth’s orbit, often ranging from light breezes and chilly drafts to hurricanes and tornadoes. More than that, it is a naturally occurring motion, or kinetic energy, that has yet to be fully grasped by humans. However, there is one unchanging fact: wind is an energy force that we can take advantage of. To better understand the immense power of wind, we will outline how it can be used and how we benefit from it.

Fiber optic sensing is a unique way to sense certain characteristics such as temperature and strain by the way they affect light. Using a fiber optic thread as a sensor, a device can measure the physical properties of light across thousands of continuous points along the entire fiber. As a useful detection method along pipelines, power cables, and more, it can be helpful to understand how fiber optic sensing works as well as where it can be used. These questions and more are answered below as we discuss how this vital technology is used in modern applications.

How Does Fiber Optic Sensing Work?

When working with devices that run on electrical circuits, whether AC or DC, it is important to protect your system from excessive current flows. While circuit breakers are a common choice for reuse, electronic fuses are still used in some applications and comply with all necessary codes. Fuses are intended for one time use and work to break a circuit when temperatures or power levels rise too high. Read on to learn more about how electronic fuses work and the applications in which they should be used.

Whether you own a print shop or your business simply requires printing and cutting paper, having a reliable paper cutter or trimmer is important for many applications across a myriad of industries. This being said, there are different types of paper cutters and trimmers for different jobs, so it is useful to understand the functions and purposes of each. With some equipment being better suited for in-home applications and others working well to satisfy paying customers, this blog will offer an overview of five popular paper cutting machines available on the market.

The first paper cutter this blog will cover is the rotary trimmer, that of which offers the most precise cut on up to thirty sheets of paper. Since a rotary trimmer is designed to sit atop a table, you should make sure you have a sturdy surface on which it can be used. They are both inexpensive and efficient, as they are ideal for quickly cutting straight edges. Furthemore, this design is safe to operate and often features self-sharpening mechanisms. With the ability to cut not only paper, but also plastic films, vinyl, and PVC, this tool is easy to use and an easy investment.

Whether a building is used for residential occupation or for office work, it is crucial that there is a reliable fire protection system in place to protect people, belongings, property, and much more from the hazards of fires. One of the most important elements of a standard fire protection system is the system of fire pumps, those of which are pipes that specifically provide a supply of water for fixed-place suppression systems like sprinklers, standpipes, foam systems, and more. As fire pumps are paramount for properly combating flames, they must be certified and well-maintained.

Since the widespread adoption of fiber optics, countless applications have seen major boosts in capability. For example, internet services can now offer speeds and bandwidths that far outmatch previous copper wire options, and other industries are seeing similar benefits. Within the aviation industry, fiber optics have the potential of greatly benefiting various systems, increasing data transfer rates, reducing overall assembly weights, and much more. One area in aircraft that is currently evolving with the implementation of fiber optics is avionics, those of which include all the electronic systems and controls that pilots rely on. In this blog, we will discuss how fiber optics pose to improve avionic capabilities, allowing you to better understand the future of aircraft design and operation.

Aircraft are equipped with various lights for safety, navigation, visibility, and ground taxiing purposes. Moreover, these lights play a crucial role throughout an aircraft’s journey, from take-off to touchdown. Modern airplanes use two basic types of lights for exterior illumination, those of which are categorized as solid and flashing lights, and each is designed and installed to perform specific functions. However, depending on the aircraft model, installed lights can have slight differences based on a vehicle’s operation and manufacturer. In this blog, to better understand why planes use exterior lights, we will briefly discuss their purpose in detail.

Imagining a reciprocating engine without a crankshaft is impossible. A crankshaft converts reciprocating motion from the piston and connecting rod into rotary motion, which is then used to rotate the propeller assembly of an aircraft. A crankshaft consists of one or more cranks placed at specific lengths where the piston is mounted. The crankshaft is placed in the crankcase on a longitudinal axis supported by a bearing between each throw.

Crankshafts need to be extremely strong for proper energy conversion and reliability, so they are often forged using some of the strongest alloys, such as chromium nickel molybdenum steel. They can be constructed in two ways, using either single-piece  or multi-piece construction methods. Furthermore, the number of throws in a crankshaft depends on the engine. For instance, if the engine is a single row type, then a single-throw crankshaft will be used. Meanwhile if the engine is a twin-row type, then a two-throw crankshaft will be applicable. Similarly, there are four-throw and six-throw crankshaft types available for four-cylinder horizontally opposed engines, four-cylinder inline engines, six-cylinder inline engines, 12-cylinder V-type engines, and six-cylinder opposed engines, respectively. Moreover, the crankshaft is a significant part of the reciprocating engine. Irrespective of the number of throws, every crankshaft has three crucial components: a journal, crankpin, and crank cheek. Apart from these, counterweights and dampers are attached to the crankshaft.