In aerospace applications, every critical component must adhere to stringent standards to ensure overall system safety and reliability. Cooling fans are essential to many systems, keeping sensitive equipment operating at optimal temperature. Typical fan applications include avionics cooling, navigation cooling, radar system cooling, control system cooling, and compartment temperature control. Since cooling fan operation is often critical to each application, fans are often designed (and qualified) to their unique application requirements against rigorous regulatory standards.
At AMETEK Rotron, we have supported the aerospace requirements for over 75 years. We understand that reliability is essential in an airborne application. In this blog, we will explore some of the standards that a cooling fan may be required to meet, including a standard that Rotron created ourselves.
MIL-STD-810 (Military Standard 810)
MIL-STD-810 outlines environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests to ensure equipment can withstand the harsh conditions it may encounter. Aerospace fans must pass rigorous tests including temperature extremes, altitude, shock, vibration, salt fog, humidity, and sand and dust exposure. These tests ensure that fans can endure extreme conditions that might occur during military operations.
RTCA DO-160 (Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment)
RTCA DO-160 tests the environmental performance of various commercial cooling systems. This specification identifies requirements that fans may be required to comply with, including temperature, altitude, vibration, humidity, and radio frequency interference. These stringent tests ensure that the fans do not interfere with avionics and other critical systems while maintaining effective cooling under all flight conditions.
FAA Regulations (Federal Aviation Administration)
The FAA sets regulations to ensure the safety and airworthiness of all aircraft operating within the United States. Cooling systems, including fans, must comply with FAA standards related to fire safety, reliability, and performance. For example, FAA regulations require cooling systems to have fail-safe mechanisms to prevent overheating of critical components. These standards are in place for the safety of the crew and passengers.
EASA Standards (European Union Aviation Safety Agency)
EASA develops common safety and environmental rules at the European level for civil aviation. Like FAA regulations, EASA standards ensure that cooling fans are designed to meet high safety and performance standards. This includes compliance with noise regulations to minimize acoustic emissions within the aircraft cabin, contributing to passenger comfort.
Rotron’s Standards: MIL-B-23071 and MIL-B-28873
MIL-B-23071 is a US military specification for AC fans and blowers used primarily for cooling electronic equipment. This standard was developed to support specific operating requirements essential for military communication and special electronic equipment.
The specification covers alternating current fractional horsepower fans and blowers, which are essential for cooling applications in electronic systems. Over time, MIL-B-23071 has undergone multiple revisions to ensure it meets evolving technological and environmental standards.
A DC fan and blower version of this specification (MIL-B-8773) also exists, mirroring the AC specification.
These standards were developed and set by Rotron in 1960’s and are still used to this day.
Designs Driven by Standards
When designing and developing new products, engineers at AMETEK Rotron always have these standards in mind. Rotron fans are subject to rigorous testing to ensure compliance with these regulations.
Materials are thoughtfully selected for durability, and resistance to corrosion and extreme temperatures. Common materials include aerospace-grade aluminum alloys, stainless steel, and specialized composites.
To reduce noise, cooling fans must be designed with aerodynamic blades and advanced motor technologies to minimize noise without compromising on cooling efficiency. To reduce EMI, designers use shielding, grounding, and filtering techniques.
To meet MIL-STD-810 and RTCA DO-160 standards, cooling fans must be able to operate effectively under conditions of high vibration and shock. This is particularly important for military applications where aircraft may experience extreme maneuvers and rough landings.
The Future of Aerospace Standards
As technology changes, requirements and standards change as well. AMETEK Rotron engineers are always looking for ways to reduce the size and weight of our products, while keeping within the stringent guidelines that our customers are looking for. Above all, we aim to be the ultimate in reliability for aerospace cooling.
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