Manufacturer / Exporter / Supplier Of high pressure solenoid valve, Solenoid Valve, Thrust Reverser, Solenoid Cartridge Valve, Solenoid Shut-Off Valve
Year of Establishment
1974
Primary Business
Supplier
Number of Employees
10-49
At Westfield Hydraulics, we have been pioneering advances in aerospace technology since 1974. An example of this innovation can be seen in the projected highlighted here. This project was the result of an engineering referral and entailed the design and manufacturing of a high pressure solenoid valve that is used on V22 military aircraft. At the time this valve was designed, valves designed for 5, 000 psi operating environments were virtually unheard of. We were able to design a steel valve that met the specified pressure requirements while keeping weight and size to a minimum. The valve measures 1.25” in height, 1.650” in width, and weighs only 0.4 lbs. The steel components were machined using CNC milling and turning centers and then further refined using lapping plates to create the precision finish required. Press fit tolerances were required to be as tight as ±0.0001” in order for the valve to function as designed. As with all new designs, the valve was tested under the expected operating conditions, in this case 5, 000 psi with a differential pressure of 200 psid at 0.1 GPM, to verify its performance and durability. We are adept at designing new and innovative flow control solutions, and carry the high quality certifications, including ISO 9001:2008, AS9100C, and NADCAP accreditations, required by customers in the aerospace and defense industries. In addition to the challenges associated with the pressure requirements of this project, the customer required an expedited timeframe in which a final design had to be produced and qualified. We were able to meet these challenges, and have continued to have a longstanding relationship with this customer. For additional information about this high pressure solenoid valve development project, see the table below, or contact us directly.
Many of the projects that are brought to our team at Westfield Hydraulics come to us from customer referrals, as was the case in the project highlighted here. We were asked to design and manufacture a prototype for a cargo door lift conversion kit for the Boeing 737 aircraft. The lift kit is a 4 way, 3 position, 3, 000 PSI system that uses Skydrol hydraulic fluid. The design is based on a derivative of an early military design and features a precision manufactured steel and copper solenoid valve that is machined using milling, turning, honing, and lapping equipment. The assembled valve has a height of 3.500”, a width of 2.710”, and a height of 2.500”. To operate reliably and in the tight space allowed, the spool and sleeve clearance was held to ±0.000070”. Quality testing for this product includes testing at an operating pressure of 3, 000 PSI with a differential pressure of 40 PSID and a flow rate of 0.1 GPM. In many respects, designing retrofits or conversion kits is more challenging than designing new products as there are additional constraints placed on the design. In this case, the lift kit had to fit within a very compact space to prevent interference with other structures and components on the aircraft. We managed the qualification of the unit and provided the complete prototype in the short time frame specified by the customer. Since the project was approved, we have produced over 300 of these cargo door lift conversion kits for our customer. For additional details about this custom aircraft retrofit project, contact us directly.
Servicing customers in the aerospace industry requires the ability to deliver the highest levels of quality and comply with very stringent requirements and standards. That is exactly what was needed to complete the project highlighted here. Thrust reversers are a key feature in modern jet aircraft and facilitate faster deceleration and allow for the use of shorter runways. For the commercial airline industry, thrust reversers are also considered an important safety feature. The thrust reverser shown here was designed for use in a series of MacDonald Douglas aircraft (MD-80, 87, & 88). The MD series is a workhorse for many airlines, and since MacDonald Douglas built almost 1200, the availability of quality spare parts is critical. It goes without saying that to slow down a 150, 000 lb. $50 million aircraft moving at 120 knots requires a system with robust features. At Westfield Hydraulics, we specialize in engineering and manufacturing precision hydraulic systems for virtually any requirement. This product required various manufacturing processes and the combination of many materials into each of the 400+ assemblies we manufactured. Composed of high strength alloys, an aluminum housing, steel, and stainless steel components, creating this product called for a number of high precision machining and finishing operations. The machining phase called into use our high precision milling, turning, and grinding capabilities, as well as the use of lapping plates. Dimensional accuracy was verified throughout the manufacturing process through the use of CMM inspections. Machined parts and components also required various plating applications; these included electroless nickel plating, passivation, and anodizing. There was also an electrical aspect of the project that required winding of solenoid coils and soldering. All of these processes were completed in-house, providing this customer with a simplified solution for their manufacturing requirements. This project also helped to solidify the positive relationship that we have cultivated with this customer. The overriding factor in our success as a manufacturer is a deep commitment to quality. We operate an ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100 certified facility, and hold an FAA Repair Certificate. To learn more about this project or the processes use to create it, contact us directly.
At Westfield Hydraulics, we have a long history of providing premium quality advanced flow control products to customers in the defense and aerospace industries. The solenoid cartridge valve shown here was designed for a target drone that is part of the military’s AFSAT program. When the customer presented us with this project, there was a significant constraint on the time allowed to develop and provide a prototype part. The customer contacted us because we have an established reputation for not only providing the best quality products in the industry, but doing so quickly. The requirements for the fuel valve design included a high flow rate and very low internal leakage allowance. The valve is manufactured by machining precision components from steel and aluminum alloy materials using CNC milling and turning centers. Advanced honing and lapping equipment allows us to hold very tight tolerances and refine the surface finishes to meet the stringent leakage requirements. Passivation is used on stainless steel components and aluminum components are anodized to increase the corrosion resistance and durability of the valve. The copper wire solenoid is soldered and the valve is assembled in-house to create the finished product. The finished valve has a height of 4.56”, a width of 2.305” and a weight of approximately 2 lbs. Our manufacturing quality is backed by ISO 9001:2008 and AS9100C certifications and all applicable processes are NADCAP certified. Pressure testing at 30 PSI and functional testing at 0.5 GPM and 2 PSID is used to verify the quality of the valve prior to shipment. Since the initial prototype was approved over ten years ago, we have produced over 300 of these valves. For additional information about this custom valve design project, contact us directly.
At Westfield Hydraulics, we specialize in the design and fabrication of custom hydraulic valves and components for customers in the aerospace industry. The component shown here is a shut-off valve that is used in a piece of hydraulic fluid power equipment which contains Skydrol 500B-4 fluid in accordance with MIL-PRF-5606 specifications. The valve is rated for an operating pressure of 5, 000 psi with a proof pressure of 7, 500 psi and a burst pressure of 12, 000 psi. We manufacture the valves using precision CNC milling methods and assemble the valves in-house for the customer. The valves are designed to function in a wide temperature range from -65 °F to 700 °F and operate using an 18 – 30 V DC power source. The quality checks for this part include dimensional inspection and acceptance testing. We have produced over 2 million of these valves and maintain a minimal stock of 300 units for immediate release to the customer as needed. Our team is dedicated to providing innovative custom hydraulic solutions with personal and responsive customer service. This project demonstrates our ability to provide a high volume custom part and manage inventory to fit a customer’s specific needs. For additional information about this solenoid shut-off valve, see the table below, or Contact us directly.
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