Lufthansa Technik: "Silencer" Reduces Noise During Aircraft Maintenance

Lufthansa Technik AG and Franke Care System GmbH have signed an exclusive license agreement for the series production and global marketing of the Silencer noise attenuation system, for which a patent is pending. Use of this system developed by Lufthansa Technik significantly reduces the level of noise generated during the maintenance of aircraft electronics in the hangar and as a result noticeably improves working conditions for the mechanics.

A first prototype of the silencer was developed by an employee of Lufthansa Technik at the Munich site for the Airbus A340-300. The noise attenuation system was then further refined by Franke Care System and in the future it will be produced not only for the original type but for other aircraft as well. Silencer is suitable for use during maintenance of the Airbus A330, A340, A380 and Boeing 777 types. "On the strength of this Lufthansa Technik has filed an application for a patent for the idea of a silencer of virtually universal applicability," said Dr. Frank Zirn, head of the Patents department at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg.

Silencer is the first device of this kind to significantly attenuate the sound pressure level of the avionics cooling air that escapes from aircraft during maintenance. The sound pressure level directly by the air outlets on the aircraft fuselage is reduced from 105 db(A) to 74 db(A). Because the noise attenuation system is height-adjustable and can be fitted with additional adapters, it can be used on virtually all the widebody aircraft so that all the relevant maintenance companies can benefit from it. Thanks to its low weight and the rollers, it is particularly suitable for mobile use.

Silencer not only optimizes working conditions by facilitating communication between operators in maintenance hangars, but it also significantly improves the health and safety protection of all the employees involved.

Lufthansa Technik

With more than 30 subsidiaries and affiliated companies and over 26,000 staff worldwide, the Lufthansa Technik Group is one of the world's leading manufacturer-independent providers of aircraft-related technical services. Lufthansa Technik's portfolio covers the entire service spectrum of maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification and conversion, engines and components for passenger aircraft.