The connector of a backshell is a mounted accessory that serves to protect contacts and wires as well as enhance the operational characteristics of the electronic component. The connector backshell is paramount for strain relief, ensuring that the stress induced on a particular cable is minimized for its integrity. Depending on the application and its requirements, there are a variety of backshell types that may serve a particular connector. Furthermore, variations may present different protection capabilities such as moisture resistance or EMI/RFI guarding. In order to find the right backshell component for your needs, it can be useful to understand their functionality and common types.


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A ball valve is a type of quarter-turn valve that uses a hollow, pivoting, perforated ball to control flow through it. When the ball’s hole is in line with the flow it is considered open, and when the ball is pivoted 90-degrees by the valve handle it is considered closed. The handle is flat in alignment with the flow when open, and perpendicular when closed, making it very easy to visually confirm the status of the valve. Ball valves are highly durable and reliable, performing well even after many cycles and closing securely even following long periods of extended use. Both of these qualities make them ideal for shut off and control applications, where they are often preferred to gate and globe valves.


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A coupling is a mechanical device used to transmit power or torque from one shaft to another. Their other uses include connecting separately-manufactured components, providing flexibility while transmitting power, providing overload protection, and reducing transmission shock loads from one shaft to another. While there are many types of couplings, we will discuss the six most common: muff/sleeve couplings, split muff couplings, flange couplings, bush pin flexible couplings, gear couplings, and fluid couplings.


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Bleed air is the air that is released from the compressor stage of an engine. When released, the bleed air is approximately 200-250°C and at a medium-high pressure of approximately 40 psi. This heat and pressure means bleed air can be used to power many different aircraft systems. As bleed air is a readily available energy source (as long as the engines are working, bleed air will be available), it is constantly used throughout modern aircraft. Bleed air’s two main benefits are its heat, which is used for things like anti-ice and de-icing systems, and pressure, which is used for things like cabin pressurization and air conditioning. 


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During normal operation of a power system, such as a transmission line, distributor, generating plant, or other, it is often necessary to switch the various circuits on or off in both normal and abnormal conditions. In older power systems, this function was carried out by a series of fuses within the circuit. However, this method of control brought multiple disadvantages. For one, when a fuse blows out, it can take a great deal of time to replace it and restore the system. Second, fuses are not capable of interrupting heavy fault currents that result from faults on modern, high-voltage, large capacity circuits. Because of this, fuses’ uses are limited to low-voltage and small capacity circuits where only intermittent operation is expected.


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Rotary engines are a type of internal combustion engine often found in a number of small aircraft and sports automobiles alike. The rotary engine is similar in its operation to a more conventional piston engine, though the combustion process is carried out through individual cylinders that are assembled in radial formation. While the engine has long been surpassed by many newer types, recent years have seen a comeback of the engine in certain performance automobiles. Additionally, some light aircraft may still utilize radial engines as well, thus having a knowledge of how they work can be beneficial for any owner or prospective owner. In this blog, we will provide a basic overview of how the rotary engine works, allowing you to understand their primary components and functionalities.


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Whether a manufacturer is developing a single-seat piston aircraft or a large military transport, all aircraft follow a similar design process from start to finish. Through engineering designs and rigorous testing, a number of steps are taken to ensure that a particular proposed aircraft meets airworthiness standards as set forth by aviation authorities. Generally speaking, the three main steps of aircraft design that are followed before a model can be produced include the conceptual, preliminary, and detail design phases.


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Utilizing aircraft fasteners for assembly can benefit a number of systems and apparatuses, allowing for parts to be affixed together in order to form joints, build structures, and more. While components such as threaded fasteners are crucial to the construction of many aircraft, they are often paired together with other hardware components in order to achieve better results. One of these important paired parts is the washer, that of which often comes in the form of a thin, disc-shaped metal piece with a hole in the middle. Alongside aircraft fasteners, washers provide load distribution, spacing, vibration absorption, liquid protection, and other benefits to the assemblies they are installed on.


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If you work in the train, marine, or aircraft sector, you might be familiar with steam or turbine engines. Despite the amount of people who do actively work in these industries, there are still many who do not understand what the actual distinct differences are between the two.


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A helicopter's principal rotor is the most significant piece of the vehicle. It gives the lift that permits the helicopter to fly, just as the control that permits the helicopter to move along the side, make turns and change elevation. To deal with these undertakings, the helicopter rotor should initially be staggeringly solid. It should likewise have the option to change the point of the rotor edges with every upset they make. The pilot imparts these modifications through a gadget known as the swash plate gathering.


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