Auxiliary Power Unit Plane

Turbine engines compressors must be turned to a significant speed for self sustain.

Auxiliary power unit plane.

The airborne auxiliary power is obtained from a gas turbine auxiliary power unit apu. In airliners apu s are usually located at the very rear of the aircraft below the tail. The aircraft apu provides power to start the main engines. Aircraft apus generally produce 115 v alternating current ac at 400 hz rather than 50 60 hz in mains supply to run the electrical systems of the aircraft.

Most of the power produced is used to run an electric generator and provide pneumatic air pressure. An auxiliary power unit apu is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion they are commonly found on large aircraft and naval ships as well as some large land vehicles. Through that hole is the auxiliary power unit the little engine that could. The auxiliary power unit is an actual turbine engine more appropriately called a turboshaft engine.

How an auxiliary power unit works. Unlike the aircraft s main engines the apu outputs almost no thrust. I m assuming you mean the actual apu in the aircraft and not the large separate model used on the ground. The auxiliary power unit safir 5k g mi is designed to supply air to engine starters and environmental control systems to drive the ac generator and to supply power to hydraulic systems.

Last week we explained how jet engines work and this week we ll talk about their little but often indispensable sibling at the back of the plane. As with everything in aviation it s primarily known by its acronym the apu. Others can produce 28 v. Auxiliary power units are usually found on large aircraft and naval ships as well as some large land vehicles.

It also features a dual speed sensor exhaust gas temperature sensor oil and fuel signaling filter contamination and signaling of low oil levels. The unit provides compressed air for air conditioning while the airplane is on the ground and at limited altitude in flight. The apu is a compact self contained unit that provides compressed air for engine starting on the ground.