2000 – 2011 News Archives

Global Energy Technologies Limited (GETL) and Osborne Engineering Limited with subsidiary Turbo Power Services (TPS) have been appointed as an authorized distributor and service representatives for JASC industrial gas turbine products.

UAE-based GETL will cover territories in the Middle East and North Africa. In addition to component sales, GETL will provide on-site installation/commissioning support, repair, and overhaul services for JASC products.

UK-based TPS will cover territories in Europe. In addition to component sales, TPS will provide on-site installation/commissioning support, repair, and overhaul services for JASC products.

JASC specializes in the design and manufacturing of new technology for process control problems in industrial, aerospace, and aviation applications. For more information on JASC products and services, go to www.jasc-controls.com.

JASC once again attended the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Joint Propulsion Conference (JPC) that was held in Hartford, CT this year.

The aim of this year’s conference was “… to identify and highlight the propulsion systems, components, and technologies required to enable the next generation of aerospace vehicles.” The focus of these technologies includes civilian and commercial aerospace applications, supersonic and hypersonic propulsion research as well as the newly emerging commercial space field.

For the second consecutive year, JASC had a booth amongst some of the propulsion industry’s giants that also attended the conference, including UTC (with both their Pratt & Whitney and Hamilton-Sundstrand divisions), GE Aviation, Rolls-Royce and Aerojet.

JASC’s booth this year proudly displayed some of our more technologically innovative design solutions. These included: our Bi-Propellant Thrust Control Valve (a cryogenic, turbo-pump throttling valve for a commercial space application), our Thrust Vector Control and Fin Control System actuators (also for commercial space applications), as well as an example of our Electronic Pressure Regulator and Hot Gas Valve (the fuel metering valve for the X-51A SED/Waverider hypersonic scramjet research vehicle, currently scheduled to fly in the first half of 2009).

Not only did JASC have a booth at this year’s conference, but JASC is also proud to commend two of our engineers who presented papers. JASC’s engineering manager, John Calleja, presented a paper on the development of our innovative Electronic Pressure Regulator. As mentioned above, this device is used on the X-51A SED/Waverider hypersonic scramjet research vehicle, its function is to control (to a very high degree of accuracy) the pressure of the gaseous nitrogen inside the vehicle’s fuel tank. John’s presentation was well received and sparked quite a bit of interest by those who attended.

JASC Controls Engineer, Matt Caspermeyer, presented his paper on the modeling and analysis of a high-temperature, pneumatic actuator. Matt’s modeling was used to verify the intended performance of a pneumatic actuator designed to control the Inlet Guide Vanes and First Stage Stator of a technology demonstrator turbine engine. Through Matt’s excellent analytical and modeling skills, he was able to identify a performance deficiency before any hardware was machined. This allowed a redesign of a critical section within the actuator, resulting in a complete actuator system (control valve, a pneumatic actuator, and digital electronic controller) that worked the first time it was tested. Matt’s presentation was well attended and also piqued quite a bit of interest.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about any of the items mentioned above (or any other innovative JASC designs) please visit our website: www.jasc-controls.com.

If you’re ever in the Phoenix area, please stop by and visit our facility.

Printable .pdf version (requires the free Adobe Reader)

With the first A380 flying daily between Singapore and Sydney, Airbus has delivered the second A380 to Singapore Airlines this month. Each A380 has a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW-980 APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) installed in its tail. JASC designed and builds the Fuel Metering Valve and Inlet Guide Vane Actuator used on the PW-980.

The APU provides power for such things as the air conditioning, hydraulic systems and the plane’s electronics when the main engines are not running. This also includes the capability of providing emergency power during flight.

Pictured during the A380’s visit to LAX in November of 2007, the tail section houses the PW-980 APU which provides power for the plane’s air conditioning, hydraulic systems and electronic systems when the plane’s main engines are not running.

JASC’s extensive design experience with aerospace fluid controls as well as fueldraulic and pneumatic actuators have led to numerous design innovations that are helping expand the envelope of powered flight. From providing control components on commercial aircraft (Airbus A320 and A380, Boeing 717 and 787) to our cutting-edge fuel control and actuator innovations (used on NASA’s X-43A Hyper-X and SED X-51A and the ONR RATTLRS program), we’re helping pave the path to the future in aerospace.

JASC’s Fuel Metering Valve is used on the Airbus A380’s APU to provide precise fuel flow to the engine.

JASC’s Inlet Guide Vane Actuator is used on the Airbus A380’s APU to help regulate the load placed on the fast turning turbine engine.

Printable .pdf version (requires the free Adobe Reader)

JASC has delivered the first Variable Guide Vane Actuator (VGVA) system for the Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks YJ102R engine. The YJ102R will power the RATTLRS quick-strike technology demonstrator vehicle developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S Navy. The JASC Variable Guide Vane Actuator is used to adjust the angle of the engine’s guide vanes and will operate throughout the vehicle’s speed envelope, ranging from subsonic launch to speeds greater than Mach 3.

When traveling above Mach 2, friction between the air and the vehicle generates high temperatures requiring the use of non-traditional materials and techniques. The same holds true
for components mounted on and around the RATTLRS engine. The extreme temperatures the VGVA will be exposed to required JASC to develop an innovative solution. This design involved the use of a multi-piston actuator as well as the electronic controller used to position the actuator.

Pictured during Fleet Week 2006, a mock-up of the RATTLRS vehicle and the YJ102R (which will power the RATTLRS vehicle) are on display. Noteworthy in the vehicle’s overall shape is the design heritage drawn from the SR-71’s engine nacelles and moveable inlet spike. Image courtesy ONR

Printable .pdf version (requires the free Adobe Reader)

JASC has been awarded a contract to design and develop a novel pressure regulator for use in the X-51A Hypersonic Research Vehicle. This device will provide highly accurate pressure regulation to extremely tight tolerances (less than 1 psi) over the mission – despite the rapidly and widely changing pressure and temperatures at the inlet. This is accomplished via a single-stage in a very compact, lightweight package, through the use of active feedback and integral control electronics.

Initial units will be ready for ground testing of a flight engine in 3Q07, while flight hardware will be delivered during 1Q08.

For more information on this and other high-tech JASC products, please contact us at
engineering@jasc-controls.com.

More information about the X-51A Program.

Printable .pdf version (requires the free Adobe Reader)