NSN Unlimited Blog

In the vast realm of aviation, industrial machinery, and automobiles, a remarkable yet unassuming component plays a vital role in ensuring smooth and efficient operations: the axle bearing. These small but mighty bearings have far-reaching applications and contribute to the stability and performance of diverse systems. To better understand them, we will explore their versatility and significance in numerous domains, that way you can find the right one for your particular demands.

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.

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.

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.

A jackscrew, also known as a screw jack or jack screw, is a type of linear motion actuator capable of lifting or moving loads along a linear axis. Unlike other actuator types, the jack screw relies on the rotation of a lead screw to lift moderately heavy weights. As such, they are often used to raise vehicles, manage the horizontal stabilizers of aircraft, support housing foundations, and more. In this blog, we will discuss the functionality and common types of jackscrews, allowing you to better understand how they are implemented in various applications.

Gaskets are mechanical seals designed to occupy the space between two or more mating surfaces so that they prevent air or water leakage. They are typically made of a flat material such as rubber, silicone, metal, cork, felt, neoprene, fiberglass, and many others. Some materials are favored over others for their resistance and durability, but that generally relies on the kind of system you are operating on. For this reason, we are covering different types of gaskets and their unique features, how gaskets are used in automotive engines, and what to consider when selecting a gasket for your application.

Electric circuits are the backbone of electronics, and they may be managed through various ways. The use of contactors is a primary method of circuit control, such components being capable of making or breaking the connection between a power supply and load. While similar to relays in their functionality, there are certain differences that set them apart. As contactor components come in various forms and are extremely common to electrical circuits, it can be useful to have a general understanding of their functionality and applications.