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NASA's X-59 QueSST: Exxelia is on board

In recent weeks, NASA has communicated extensively about its X-59 QueSST experimental aircraft program, as the demonstrator nears completion of assembly at aircraft manufacturer Lockheed-Martin. An essential link in the Low Boom Flight Demonstration (LBFD) project, the X-59 will begin flight test.

✈ If the program lives up to its promise, it could lead to the emergence of supersonic transport aircraft capable of flying over land, without the limitations imposed on Concorde in its day. For this project, Exxelia mainly produces coils from our US sites. Our components are intended for the aircraft engine.

 

 

With its elongated nose, its "humped" wings and its small scattered lifting surfaces, the X-59 is unlike any other aircraft. An exceptional configuration for exceptional capabilities.

Credits: NASA

 

It will fly at a speed of 1.5 Mach (1.5 times the speed of sound), or more than 1,800 kilometers per hour. NASA hopes that its aircraft will eventually be used in civil aviation.

 

If the tests are successful, the X-59 QueSST could have two revolutionary effects on the U.S. and even the world's aeronautical landscape:

  • The test aircraft could serve as inspiration for future mass-produced transport aircraft, whether airliners or business jets.
  • The LBFD project as a whole could lead to an evolution of current aviation regulations. Rather than banning all civilian supersonic flights over the U.S., as is the case today, NASA is proposing to introduce noise-based regulation.

 

Credits : Lockheed Martin, NASA

Published on 26 Jan 2022 by Stephane PERES

What is a capacitor ?

▲ WHAT IS A CAPACITOR ?   Definition from the dictionnary: « Capacitor »: Device able to accumulate charges and to relaunch them in a very short time.    > See our capacitors in catalog    What it really is: It's an electrical component made of 2 conductive armatures (called electrodes) separated by an isolating layer. Its main property is to store electrical charges on its armatures. There is a direct link between the voltage put on the capacitor and the value of the charge at the armatures This coefficient C, the capacitance, is the value caracterizing mathematically the capacitors. As we can identifie a direct link between U and I in the capacitor we can caracterize it as a dipole this way: 3 main dipoles : In the physical reality:   Contacts with the PCB (terminations) + Other internal contact suh as the metallic contacts, or the physical internal resistivity of the used materials. → Resistance in the circuit   Other losses due mainly to the leads → inductive effect in the circuit. Example of possible caracterization: That’s why the Esr is always written « at a certain frequency »  which should be the resonnance frequency. This is also why the capacitors have frequency optimal ranges. The higher the resonance frequency is, the higher the frequencies are withstanded by the capacitor.   In terms of energy Efficient energy is Ec.   In reality E= Ec+Er+Ei with: Ec = Energy due to the ideal capacitor Er = Energy to the ESR Ei = Energy due to the leakage.   So Er and Ei are caracterized by heating (Joule effect). So even if that’s not always a key paramter, the lower the esr the better it is for the circuit.                                                                                                                                                                               If the capacitor is polarized : If the capacitor is not polarized : > See our capacitors in catalog   ▲ MAIN CARACTERISTICS 1) Voltages (V) 2) Capacitance of Capacitor   3) Capacitance / volume 4) Tan Delta / ESR   5) Price of the function Whatever the function, the price of capacitors is important ! A cheap function does not mean a cheap product: 10 caps at 10€ is less expensive than 1 cap at 50€ …    > See our capacitors in catalog   ▲ FINAL OVERVIEW   Technology                                         Benefits of capacitors                          Constrains  Aluminum The least expensive The highest energy density Polarized Difficulties in storage High ESR and tan Delta Lowest temperature range  Ceramic   Ideal for high frequencies The biggest range of values (CAPA voltage)   Highest Price of the functions Low energy density Low values of capacitance  Film Highest ripple curents Highest voltages Lowest ESR and tan Delta Most expensive Lowest energy density High price of the function  Tantalum Lower ESR than aluminum, Good energy density and price of the function Polarized Solid can burn High ESR and tan Delta       > See our capacitors in catalog

Exxelia Micropen Expands Manufacturing in Honeoye Falls

To accommodate current and future demand for its technologies, Exxelia Micropen has completed construction to expand its Honeoye Falls facility by more than 20 percent. The 9,000-square-foot addition includes 5,000 square feet of new cleanroom space, enabling the company to double the capacity of its manufacturing operations.   Exxelia Micropen utilizes its proprietary technology to “print” ultra-precise lines of conductive inks on three-dimensional and flexible surfaces, including advanced medical devices. The technology is also used to make high-performance resistors for a wide range of demanding applications in aerospace, imaging, and electronics. Since 2017, the company has experienced double-digit growth every year as demand for its innovative engineering, design, and manufacturing services has escalated.   “As we continue to develop new partnerships to meet the unique needs of customers across the globe, we outgrew our space,” “The expansion allows us to boost our production volumes while we continue to provide the innovative technologies and exceptional service and delivery times that our customers have come to rely on.” said Ed Petrazzolo, CEO, Exxelia Micropen.   Exxelia Micropen partnered with Hamilton Stern Construction and Hanlon Architects for the expansion, which began in the spring. In addition to the manufacturing space, the project includes a new lobby, employee breakroom, and more office space. Parking also grew to a total of 140 spaces.   “The expansion of Exxelia Micropen’s facility is a prime example of the success of our Design-Build service, which provides clients with a cohesive, one-stop-shop experience to save time and reduce costs,” said Justin Hamilton, Principal, Hamilton Stern. “Our close partnership with Hanlon Architects, Marathon Engineering, and Exxelia Micropen enabled this project to be completed in roughly 13 months all while fully maintaining the facility’s production volumes. We are grateful for Exxelia Micropen’s trust in our firm to be part of their continued growth.”   “We are proud of what we have built in Honeoye Falls,” said Petrazzolo. “The talented employees we’re able to recruit from the Rochester area are critical to our success, and the expansion only reinforces our commitment to further develop our presence here. We look forward to a long, prosperous future as part of this community.”
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