Federal-Mogul Systems Protection Group offers a variety of wrap-around sleeving products for wire protection, made of Nomex and monofilaments. The sleeving is easy to install and can be removed later for maintenance. Roundit is available in different materials, depending on the application. Roundit 2000NX, for example, is made for use at temperatures from —70 to 200 degrees centigrade. The 2000NX HT version incorporates oil and water repellent treatment and can be used at temperatures up to 250 degrees C. Federal-Mogul Systems Protection Group offers many different kinds of material for wire protection, from Expando sleeving to Roundit 2000 EMI, which includes thin copper drain wire to provide EMI protection. The Roundit products come in sizes from 3/16 to 1.5 inches. Manufacturer approvals for Roundit include Airbus, Boeing, Dassault, Eurocopter, Fairchild Dornier, BAE Systems, GKN Westland, and MD Helicopter. Federal-Mogul Systems Protection Group, phone: 800-964-2424, 610-363-2600, web: www.federal-mogul.com.

US Global Nanospace Filters Nano-size Particles

US Global Nanospace (formerly US Global Aerospace) is developing filters than can catch tiny particles as small as the viruses that cause SARS, anthrax, and other diseases. Global Nanospace’s new Nanofilters use technology developed for space station air filtration by Ultra-Filter. The filter works by enveloping the porous filter media with an electronic field, which ends up helping the filter capture sub-micron-sized particles–as small as 0.5 microns–such as bacteria, viruses, smoke, dust, and odorants. According to Global Nanospace, the Nanofilters cost less to use compared to current HEPA filter technology. Nanofilters deliver a 35-percent reduction in energy consumption and have a service life-cycle cost half that of HEPA filters, according to the company. Applications for the new Nanofilter include long-range Boeing and Airbus airliners. US Global Nanospace, phone: 775-841-3246, web: www.usgn.com.

Tempest Vacuum Pump Redesigned with New Features

Aero Accessories has updated the design of its Tempest-series vacuum pumps to reduce premature failure potential and make the pumps easier to install and maintain. The new Tornado 3000 vacuum pump features an enclosed sleeve surrounding the coupling instead of the typical open sleeve found on many vacuum pumps. The advantage of the closed sleeve is that it doesn’t permit the entry of dirt or cleaning fluid, which can shorten the life of the coupling. Aero Accessories engineers designed a new channel in the pump’s front end, which allows oil leaking from the engine drive pad seal to drain harmlessly away from the pump without contaminating the coupling. "Oil contamination is the leading cause of premature pump failure," Aero Accessories stated. Another benefit of the new design is that mechanics can see oil leaking from the drain channels and thus detect a leaking seal before it gets worse. The cover plate has been redesigned, adding chamfered edges that make it easier to install the washers and nuts on the studs that secure the pump to the accessory case. The body of the pump is new, too, with monolithic construction that eliminates the centering bands that used to keep the parts aligned. This eliminates the previously required seals and permits the use of through bolts that secure the entire pump and help maintain pump alignment. Aero Accessories, phone: 800-822-3200, 336-449-5054, web: www.aeroaccessories.com.

Polykleen’s System Makes Windows Shine

Nigel Whitaker, president of U.K.-based Kleentech International, has developed a plastic-window cleaning system that brings old plastic back to life. The system includes various levels of cleaning, polishing, and protective coatings plus special cloths for application of the Polykleen products.

I tried the Polykleen system on two aircraft windshields. The first step was to rinse the plastic with clean water, then wash with Polykleen #1 detergent wash using the terry cloth provided. With the cotton cloth, I then polished the windows using Polykleen #7, which must be done in a circular motion. "If you go straight," said Whitaker, "you’ll end up polishing the grooves. Circular, you’re bound to go across, which will remove scratches and marks." Window problems, he added, are caused by "a fine haze of millions of little scratches." Whitaker advises polishing multiple times with #7 to remove the fine scratches. "It took a long time to get into that condition," he said, and it will take some effort to counteract the effects of age.

After using #7, the residue is removed using a clean terry cloth. Then I protected the window with Polykleen #8, which is a polymer sealant. For best results, the #8 should be allowed to dry for 48 hours, and no rain should contact the drying window.

The results were splendid, although I wouldn’t say that the windows had been "restored" to their original condition.

Polykleen products are available for window cleaning and protection, plus anti-static, brake-dust removal, and graffiti removal. Kleentec International, phone: 44-(0)8705-134745 (U.K.), 908-725-9619 (U.S.), web: www.polykleen.co.uk