Problem
The company KAR Kunz Aviation Refueling GmbH is a manufacturer specialising in airfield tankers with tank and hydrant operation. Until now, it was common for the hoses and cables on the special vehicles to be used without guidance. A six-stage telescopic crane was installed on this tanker, which has the advantage of high flexibility during refuelling. Not only can the boom be moved precisely to the aircraft to be refuelled with the filler neck. It is also particularly flexible in height and length and can be pivoted, making refuelling quick and easy. However, the standard delivery for guiding the cables did not meet the expectations of the KAR designers, as it was only available in standard widths for guiding heavy hydraulic cables. Therefore, a better cable guidance system was sought which, on the one hand, could easily follow all movements of the flexible crane boom and, on the other hand, could be installed in the smallest installation space of this very space-saving construction.
Solution
As a new solution for the cable guidance, the KAR designers finally decided to use several energy chains. Specifically, our
E2/000 series e-chains with
chainflex control cables of the CF10 series and a pneumatic hose are used in the application. The E2 chain solution is suitable for confined spaces and combines this with a high level of strength, quiet operation and a long service life. Assembly and equipping have been simplified by various elements such as a folding mechanism of the folding bars and well thought-out interior division by means of separators within the chain. The chainflex cables inside the chains, like the chain itself, allow the tightest bend radii and can therefore be used in the flexible crane boom in confined spaces.
