Parker Hannifin the leader in control and motion technologies has announced their support for the pioneer Bloodhound SSC project which will work on developing a car that is able to reach speeds of up 1,000mph on land which would break the current record for top speeds.
As a large sponsor of the programme Parker will offer a supply of cutting edge hydraulics gear that will be used during both the initial test stages and into the final system that is designed for the car. The company has also contributed equipment that will make up the air braking system, the aerodynamic trim of the car, and offer ground support equipment when it comes time for the car to make its attempt at breaking the record.
The Bloodhound project believes that they will be able to break the current speed record of 763mph and far surpass it with the lofty goal of 1,000mph in mind. The mission statement states that the goal is look the impossible in the eye and then go beyond it using a combination of mathematics, technology, and science engineering. This statement aligns with the business philosophy of Parker which is to control technology and develop innovate solutions to offer customers the best commercial and technical items on the market.
Bloodhound is intended to become a platform for the best of British engineering and to inspire and motivate the engineers of the future. It is being built around cutting edge technology, including a Eurojet EJ200 jet engine, to accelerate the vehicle to 300mph, and a Falcon rocket, which boosts speeds to 1000mph or more. Centrally mounted in the car is an 800hp auxiliary F1 engine that provides power to the hydraulics, starting of the jet engine and feeds High Test Peroxide through to the Falcon rocket. Combined, these engines provide an impressive 135,000hp and give a 0-1,000mph time of just 42 seconds.
Parker is working with the Bloodhound engineering team to develop a series of test rigs, which will provide critical test data for the subsequent evolution of hydraulically powered air brakes and control of winglets situated over the front wheels to maintain aerodynamic stability. In addition, the company will be supplying dedicated hydraulic power packs and specialised ground support systems for use during the test and world record attempts, which will be carried out in 2012 at the Haskeen Pan in the Northern Cape, South Africa.
Mark Cattermole, Product Manager – Industrial systems for Parker Hannifin, commented, “We are delighted to be involved in this ground breaking project and be part of the team that will see Bloodhound’s goals come to fruition. It is great to watch our leading edge technology delivering the power to drive innovation in one of industry’s most fast paced sectors. Another key element is the enthusiasm and inspiration that this project is sparking in the next generation of engineers, something we are always keen to support.”
