DC3-TP67 Pilots Ground School

Block 12-- Oxygen System(s)

System(s) description

System(s) Components

System(s) Operation
 Systems Description
While initially offered only with (essentially) three different
variations of a hi-pressure bottle, constant-flow type system,
Basler has more recently developed other system options to
meet customer demand. We will examine these various system
types somewhat separately:

The original hi-pressure bottle and constant-flow

arrangement (and its variations), which we shall
lump together as the “Standard System.”

 The “Standard System” modified to add individual

diluter-demand regulators and masks at each station
(this is as much as we will say about this variation).

 On Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS).

 Standard System
Systems to be found in various airplanes will
essentially and significantly differ only in the
number of bottles installed, and the number of
outlet ports served. The optional systems offered
as standard are listed below, but others exist:

 One 115-cubic foot (3257-liter) cylinder with three crew

compartment outlets (short-term crew use).

 Four 115-cubic foot cylinders [460-cubic foot (13,028

liters) total] with three crew compartment outlets (long-
term crew use).

 Four 115-cubic foot cylinders with three crew

outlets and varying numbers of cabin outlets.
 Standard Single Bottle System

All systems utilize the identical shutoff

valve/regulator, which provides a
(potential) low pressure, constant flow
of oxygen to any outlet.
115-CF
Outlets are only opened BOTTLE
to flow by the insertion of
a mask hose connection
nipple into the outlet.

Bottles are always installed under the

cabin floor (various locations).
 Four Bottle System

Varying numbers of passenger outlets

(from none to 40) may be connected
into the system, or it may serve only
the flight crew.
System Filler Ports

OTHER ALTERNATE
LOCATIONS

Service ports are

to be found at
various locations
on different
airplanes. All will
have both a fill
port, and a system
pressure gauge.
Thermal discharge
indicators will also
be found in various
locations.
 Crew Member Ports

The 3rd crewmember port will

Pilot’s Port usually be found on the lower, left-
rear cockpit bulkhead. A pressure
gauge will also be found there
(normal full-service pressure is 
1,850 psi). In certain airplanes, the
service port may also be located
near this location (previous slide).
Endurance Chart Example
 Standard System Operation
Operation Is Simple!
• Open bottle valve/regulator with switch
on copilots overhead switch panel.

• Put mask(s) on, and plug into port(s).

• Monitor flow to mask(s) with flow-indicator

built into each mask supply line.

• Monitor system pressure via pressure

gauge in crew compartment.
 On Board Oxygen Generating System
(OBOGS)

OBOGS offers certain advantages as an alternative to

a high-pressure gaseous system. Among these:

Eliminates the requirement for periodic replenishment of

the on-board gaseous supply (along with eliminating the
requirement for availability, storage and transport of
the replenishment gaseous oxygen).

Eliminates the potential for accidents, or other mishaps,

related to the storage of high-pressure gases (not an
insignificant concern, if you are regularly being “shot
at,” as certain users of this airplane are)!
 OBOGS System Principals
OBOGS uses engine bleed air (P3) that is pressure and
temperature conditioned and then routed to a “Concentrator” (the
heart of the system) that produces an oxygen-rich gas.

The concentrator has a rotary valve that alternately directs air flow
over one of two molecular sieve beds. These sieves absorb
Nitrogen, while allowing Oxygen to pass through to a plenum
assembly (while one sieve is absorbing Nitrogen, the other is
releasing its absorbed Nitrogen).

The plenum assembly acts as a surge tank and accumulator, and

also functions as a heat exchanger to condition the Oxygen to
approximate cockpit/cabin temperatures.

Oxygen is next routed through an “Oxygen Monitor” that will

determine the Oxygen partial pressure and provide a low-pressure
warning if sensed, and then on to crew stations.
OBOGS Concentrator
End of Block!