APO

AUXILIARY POWER UNIT

The auxiliary
power unit (APU) is a
compact unit,
tail section of an aircraft as
and shown
provides electncal power (200 beiow, which
, 3 Phase, 400
is
usualy fitted in the
Airer Hz) on the ground
ECU

BLEED
FREE TUREBINE AIR
SPEED SENSOR (2)
FREE TURBINE
ENGINE LOAD
COMPREssOR GINE
SOR TURBINE COMPRESsOR
1OV ACTUATOR
FREE TURBINE
5PEED CONTROLLER
LOAD COMPRESSOR
Ng SPEED cONTROLLER
SENSOR

FUELCONTROL INLET GUIDE

VANES
ENGINE
ACCESORRY
SECTION

COMBUSTION
SECTION cooLING FAN

The APU can also be used to

electrical power
supply compressed air on the ground for
in fight duñng an engine startng and
emergency.
Most APUs have their own
dedicated 24-volt battery for
from ground power. The main staring or can altematively be started
aircraft
circuits. The APU can drive one or bwo battery switch must be on to operate the APU control
are the same generators, depending on the type of aircraft, and these
type as those fitted to the main engines. The APU does not
maintain a constant frequency
the drive from the APU runs at a require
a CSDU to
a
output, since
constant speed via
govemor, and can be used up to 25 000 ft.

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Chapter25 Stabrl2

Auxiliary Power Urlt (APU 6 t sd

andFan Air Turbine (FIAT)
A
SF
AUXILIARY POWER UNIT (APU)

Skv Chefe.

Fig. 26.1

These units are fitted to provide a source of electrical power, pressurised air (air conditioning and
n e &S2 main engine starting), and in some cases hydraulic power (via an integral pump) on the ground
when
n
the main engines are shut This makes the aeroplane less dependent on ground
down.
support equipment. In some instances, the APU is used in flight to provide emergency power,
especially for ETOPS operations.enterde Awn eagiOeahaPerforn
Stunda
When used in fight, the maximum operating and maximumstarting altitude parameters published.
in the fight manual must be adhered to. The maximum starting and operational heights vary from L a h v a
type to type but for modern aeroplanes can be as much as 43 000 ft and 45 000 ft, respectively.
The minimum to maximum declared airspeed range ofthe declared relight envelope should cover ndhhe.
at least 30 kt. Maintenance is similar to that used on the main aeroplane power units.

Powerplant
apero i 26-1

S v le
 Te

Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and Ram Air

Turbine (RA7 Chapter26

ne APU Is a self-contained unit that nomally of a small constant-speed gas turo

ngine coupled to a gearbox. This gearbox drivesconsists
a generator of a similar type
and power
O tne main engine-driven generators. This gearbox also drives the APU accessories, sucn
te fuel
pump, oil pump, tachometer d
generator, and a centrifugal switch.
ne purpOse of the centrifugal switch is to control the starting and ignition circuits, the governed
speed indication circuit, and the
overspeed protection circuit of the AP.
LOCATION
INTET DOOR
I N L A I R

INLET PLENUM
APU EXHAUST
AIR DUCT
INLET DOOR
ACTUATOR
DUCTINET
APU
FIREWALL

ACCESS DOoRS
(CLAM SHELL DOOR)

PNEUMATIC
CONTROL SYSTEM AIR
ACCESS SUPPLY DUCT
DOOR

Fig. 26.3

The APU is normally located in an

unpressurised compartment of the fuselage, usually in the tail
section. This compartment is separated from the remainder of the Co
unit is secured to the structure by rubber-bonded fuselage by a firewall, and the
anti-vibration mountings. Access to the
compartment is normally via hinged cowling panels.

25
Fig. 26.4

Powerplant
26-3
 Chapter 2 Auriliary Power Unit (APU) and Ram Air Turbine
(RAT)
AIR SUPPLY
Air for the APU
compressor is drawn in through
either single or twin
ducting to the intake section.
Doors intakes, connected via
electrical actuators. These actuator provided in these
intake sections usually
ensure the correct circuits,
interconnected with the APU master open and close by
operating sequence control switch,
depending on the installation, connect during starting and
to micro-switches shutdown. Indicator lights, which,
locations, indicate door positions. or
proximity switches at the door
The APU
compressor discharges air not
connected via ducting to the air required for
combustion into a plenum
the aeroplane. conditioning system and the chambeer
Overloading the APU.
The air supply automatically regulates to main engine air-starting system of
provide the correct amount without
FUEL SUPPLY
Fuel supply is from one of the
regulated by a fuel control unit tanks in the main fuel
that controls the system via a solenoid-operated valve
by proportioning fuel flow to load acceleration of the APU and and is
conditions. maitains the speed
LUBRICATION
A self-contained system, consisting of an
the gears and oil tank,
bearings within the APU. pump, filter, cooler, and oil
instruments associated with Indicator jets, lubricates
functions such as oil lights monitor the system all
pressure, temperature, and operation, as well as

STARTING AND IGNITION quantity.

An electric starter motor
connected to a
for the starter motor drive shaft in the accessory
for starting. Power
external power source. The is drawn from the gearbox rotates the
master control switch. ignition system is of the aeroplane's batteries, its APU,engine
high-energy type and is controlled
or an
from the
Note: The APU can
already be running, but not started, during refuelling
COOLING operations.
A fan driven by the APU
compartment. accessory gearbox normally
This air also ducts from the fan for provides cooling and
oil.
cooling the AC generatorventilation
and APU
of the APU
lubricating
ANTIHCING
In some APU
supply of hot airinstallations, the air intake area is
from the
compressor over the inlet protected
surfaces.
against ice formation by bleeding a
FIRE DETECTION AND
wire detection EXTINGUISHING
A continuous
detection and system and a single-shot fire
circuits is extinguishing
so that,
of a fire in an
APU extinguisher normally accomplish the
APU. The fire
in addition to
actuating compartment. The
warning systems, they arrangement of detection
extinguisher bottles can be discharged automatically shut down the
manually or automatically.

26-4

Powerplant
@
AAA A A A AAAA
 Teeh
18
t

Chapter 26 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and Ram Air Turbine (RAT)

n some installations, the APU can also be shut down in an emergency by using a FIRE switch on
the control panel, or by pulling a FIRE handle on the flight deck panel. Take care when using a
FIRE switch, which arms the fire
extinguisher discharge circuit, not to inadvertently discharge the
extinguishant. If an automatic shut down has occurred, select the master switch to the OFF or
STOP position.

RAM AIR TURBINE (RAT)

The RAT is used to supply the
aeroplane with an
flight controls, etc, in the event that all systems emergency source of hydraulic power to the
fuselage. The RAT can be deployed in flight by manualfail, and normally stows in the underbelly
hydraulic systems' pressure drops, it deploys selection at any time. However, if all the
deployment of the RAT on the ground.
automatically. Ground sensors inhibit automatic

**

RAT LOCATION

Fig. 26.6
The RAT consists of a variable
pitch propeller, driven by the airflow.
govern propeller speed, producing a constant
fine pitch allowing the
Bob-weights and springs
speed. When initially deployed, the blades are in
its governed speed ofpropeller spin up to the governed speed as quickly as
to
approximately 4000 rpm, the possible. When at
propeller blade pitch increases to prevent
Over-speeding.

26-6
Poto
 Teh

Sd
Chapter 6
18
released.
brake

or
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to
automatically b o u n c e
or

i r c r a f t B r a k e s

is wheel

a
pressure of
event am
brake
he
aded.

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