AGK Systems

Lesson 10: Pneumatic Systems

 Introduction
• Aircraft equipped with some form of pneumatic system fed by
compressors or gas turbines
• Light aircraft often use pneumatics to power gyroscopes
• Light twins used pneumatics to inflate de-icing boots
• Large aircraft use pneumatic systems for cabin conditioning,
pressurisation and ice protection
• Gas turbine use engine bleed air to power pneumatic
• Bleed air reduces engine efficiency. Boeing 787 Dreamliner uses
electrically driven compressors
Pneumatic System Uses
• Pneumatics are commonly used for:
• Operating air driven gyroscopic instruments
• Heating and cooling cockpit, cabin and cargo
• Pressurisation
• De-ice and anti-ice
• Emergency back-up(landing gear)
• Inflating cabin door seals
• Pressurising hydraulic reservoirs
Pneumatic System Uses
• Gas turbine engine starting and operation of
thrust reverse
• Rain repelling nozzles on the windscreen
• Water tank pressurisation
• Toilet system pressurisation
• Air driven hydraulic pumps
Light Aircraft Pneumatic Sources

• Light aircraft often have air driven gyroscopic

instruments
• Small engine driven vacuum pump used to generate
supply
• The pump is driven by the engine via a quill shaft
• Quill shaft design to shear if torque load become
excessive
• Vacuum gauge on instrument panel confirms that
the pump is operating satisfactorily
Light Aircraft Pneumatic Sources

• vacuum pump can also be used to inflate rubber

boots on the leading edges of the wing to break of
any ice.
Dry Pump Design
 Gas Turbine Air Supplies
• Three usual sources of compressed air for gas turbine:
• Bleed air from the main engines
• Compressed air from the auxiliary power unit (APU)
• Compressed air supplied by a ground power unit
 Ground Power Unit
• Compressed air from ground power unit is used to
provide conditioning air for the cabin before the APU
has been started.
• Also used to provide compressed air to start the main
engines.(air starter motor)
APU Air Supplies
• Located in the rear of the fuselage
• Primary purpose is to supply electrical power and
compressed air to the aircraft when the main
engines are not running.
• APU generates compressed air by driving a
compressor
 The Source of Bleed Air
• Bleed air is bled from the engine compressor
• Pressure and temperature vary markedly in different
parts of the compressor
• Air is taken from different compressor sections
• Bleed air is very hot (up to 600 degree) so it has to be
cooled before use then channelled in ducts which are
monitored for leaks
The Bleed Tapping
• Bleed air passes through High Pressure Shut-off
Valve
• This limits the pressure to about 100psi
• Then through a Pressure Reducing Shut-off
Valve
• Which reduces the pressure to about 40psi
• Pre-cooler which uses LP fan air to reduce
temperature
The Bleed Tapping
Pneumatic System Architecture

• Air is distributed in ducts

• Shut-off valves control the supplies to different
systems
• Cross-over valve allows air to supply services
on other side
• The APU has its own SOV
• Non-return valves used extensively to ensure
no back flow
Pneumatic System Architecture
 Overheat Detection and Warning
• Hot bleed air leaks from ducts represents serious hazard, so it is
essential to monitor the ducting for leaks.

• This is done by overheat detection loops which are located in all

the sensitive areas(zones)

• There will be two loops in each zone (LOOP A, LOOP B)

• It is usually permissable to operate with one loop inoperative but
only for a limited period.

• Latest technology is able to pinpoint a hot gas leak from 0.3 m

Overheat
Detection
 Bleed Air Controls Indications
EICAS

Temperature, pressure and valve position sensors fitted throughout the

pneumatic system feed information back to the flight deck where the
information (and, if necessary, warning) is displayed.
Bleed Air Controls Indications
• Bleed air system is controlled from the bleed air panel
• Malfunction detected affected bleed supply can be isolated
• The principal bleed air malfunctions are:
• Over temperature
• Over pressure
• Low pressure
• Overheat/ duct leak
• Warning captions are displayed on the control panel
Bleed Air Control Panel
Duct Construction
• Stainless steel for high temperature and
high pressure ducts
• Light alloy for intermediate temperature
pressure ducts
• Plastic or fibreglass for low temperature or
pressure ducts