Crane Aerospace & Electronics has received a pair of new contracts to supply power conversion products. In the first of two deals announced here on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) signed with Crane to use Interpoint power converters for the Mars 2020 mission. The California-based company plans to use a variety of space dc-dc converters and filters including Crane’s SMRT product, which features a built-in EMI filter, independent outputs and adjustable output voltage.
The previous Mars rovers, Opportunity, Spirit and Curiosity, have all used Interpoint space dc-dc converters. Interpoint converters feature a variety of screening options up to MIL-PRF-38534 Class K and various radiation hardness assurance (RHA) options up to RHA R, 100krad(Si) at both high and low dose rates.
Crane (Hall 4 Stand F14), which is based in Washington State, also announced a deal to supply the auto-transformer rectifier unit (ATRU) for the Rockwell Collins horizontal stabilizer control unit (HSCU) supplied to Embraer. The airframer plans to use the HSCU on the Embraer E-Jet E2 series scheduled for entry into service in 2018. The crane product is an ac-dc multi-pulse ATRI with power factor correction. The ATRU converts 115VAC, 400Hz, three-phase input power to +/- 135Vdc, providing conversion efficiency of more than 95 percent at a continuous load of 1.5kW.
Other recent commercial successes at Crane involved its SmartStem wireless tire pressure and brake temperature monitoring systems. Its tire pressure system for Bombardier CRJs, Challenger midsize business jets and Global large business jets received a European Aviation Safety Agency supplemental type certificate, while Boeing has chosen an integrated tire pressure and break temperature system for all models of the new 737 Max.
The European approval adds to Crane’s growing list of certifications for its tire pressure sensors, including those used in virtually all Cessna Citation models, the Dassault Falcon 50, and Bombardier Learjet 40/50 and 60. SmartStem has also won approvals for the Boeing 737NG, 747-400, 777 and 787, as well as Bombardier Q-Series turboprops.
“We dive deep into highly technical niche markets, producing highly-engineered, flight critical hardware,” Crane Aerospace president Brendan Curran told AIN. “We do things that absolutely have to work and have to work every time.” Almost 35 percent of Crane’s workforce consists of engineers and the company invests around 9 to 10 percent of its annual revenues in research and development.
The 737 Max tire and brake monitoring system is integrated as part of the new narrowbody’s overall airplane health monitoring system. Crane also provides specialist equipment such as indication and proximity sensors for engine fan cowls. For Pratt & Whitney’s Geared Turbofan it has developed a fuel flow transmitter and for the Airbus A320 it provides the landing gear control unit.
“Aircraft are costing more and more to develop so when you look at how you can develop further functionality I like where we are placed because I see further opportunities for technology insertion that doesn’t necessarily require a full upgrade to an entire system with all the cost of new certification,” said Curran.
Separately, Crane recently announced the appointment of Carl Trustee as vice president of landing systems solutions for the aerospace group. With his new position, Trustee accepted responsibility for driving the continued growth and strategic direction of the business, which includes brake control systems with associated electronic and hydraulic equipment and ancillary products.
