Auxilary Power unit
APU
The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is a self-contained gas turbine engine consisting of a compressor,
turbine, and accessory drive section. It is installed within a fireproof compartment located in the tail of
the aircraft. Gear driven units in the accessory drive section control the APU from startup to shutdown.
The APU can be operated up to the aircraft maximum certified altitude.
The APU supplies bleed air for engine starting and air conditioning. In flight or on the ground, the APU
can supply bleed air to one air conditioning pack.
An AC electrical generator on the APU provides an auxiliary AC power source. While on the ground, both
generator bus 1 and generator bus 2 can be powered from the APU. In flight, only one generator bus can
be powered from the APU.
ACCESSORY
COOLING AIR
DUCT
EXHAUST OUTLET APU DUCT
AIR DIFFUSER DUCT
EXHAUST MUFFLER VORTEX GENERATOR
APU FUEL LINE
AIR INLET DOOR
APU BLEED AIR DUCT
APU
When the AC powered fuel pumps are operating, fuel to start and operate the APU comes from the left
side of the fuel manifold. If the fuel pumps are not operating, fuel is suction fed from the No. 1 fuel tank.
During APU operating, fuel is automatically heated to prevent icing.
APU engine air is routed to the APU through an automatically operated air inlet door located on the right
side of the fuselage. APU exhaust gases are discharged overboard through an exhaust muffler. A
portion of the air entering the air inlet door is drawn in by a gear driven fan and then routed to cool the
electrical generator and engine oil.
ACCESSORY
COOLING AIR
DUCT
EXHAUST OUTLET APU DUCT
AIR DIFFUSER DUCT
EXHAUST MUFFLER VORTEX GENERATOR
APU FUEL LINE
AIR INLET DOOR
APU BLEED AIR DUCT
APU
APU operation requires the following:
• APU fire handle on the overheat/fire panel must be “down”.
• APU fire control handle on the APU ground control panel must be “up”.
• Battery (BAT) switch must be ON.
Electrical power to start the APU comes from the aircraft battery.
While on the ground, if the battery (BAT) switch is positioned to OFF, the APU will shutdown due to the
loss of power to the APU fire detector loop.
ACCESSORY
COOLING AIR
DUCT
EXHAUST OUTLET APU DUCT
AIR DIFFUSER DUCT
EXHAUST MUFFLER VORTEX GENERATOR
APU FUEL LINE
AIR INLET DOOR
APU BLEED AIR DUCT
APU
The automatic start sequence begins by moving the APU start switch momentarily to the START position.
This initiates opening of the APU fuel shutoff valve (located in the wheel well) and the air inlet door.
When the air inlet door is fully open, the start sequence begins. If the APU does not reach the proper
speed with the proper acceleration rate within the time limit of the starter, the start cycle automatically
terminates. The start cycle may take as long as 135 seconds.
When the APU reaches the proper speed, ignition and fuel are provided for combustion. When the APU is
ready to accept a bleed air or electrical load, the APU GEN OFF BUS light illuminates.
It is recommended that the APU be operated for at least one full minute before utilizing as a bleed source.
This one minute stabilization period is to extend the service life of the APU.
APU
The APU will automatically shutdown if it encounters LOW OIL PRESSURE, HIGH OIL TEMP (FAULT),
OVERSPEED or a FIRE. These four auto-shutdown features stop the operation of the APU by closing the
fuel solenoid valve, which is attached to the APU fuel control unit.
A combination of electrical loads and bleed air extraction may cause the EGT to rise above acceptable
levels. In this scenario, the APU bleed valve will automatically modulate towards the closed position,
which will result in a lower EGT.
1 1
1 AS INSTALLED
1 1
APU Engine Cross Section
Accessory Compressor Turbine
section section section
H G
B
C D
A) Output shaft
B) Inlet plenum I
C) First stage compressor
D) Second stage compressor
E) Turbine plenum
F) Bleed air valve
G) Fuel nozzle A
H) Igniter
I) Combustor
J) Turbine
F
APU Schematic 3-WAY
ACCELERATION / LOAD CONTROL THERMOSTAT CONTROL NO. 1
VALVE
FUEL TANK
IGNITER
OVERBOARD
ACCELERATION
S FUEL SOLENOID
VALVE
CONTROL
FCU
SPEED CONTROL
M
FUEL PUMP
FUEL
STARTER
SHUTOFF
ACCESSORY GEAR BOX
OIL PUMP
VALVE
OIL COOLER
GENERATOR TO ELECTRICAL
LOADS
TURBINE COMPRESSOR
SPEED SWITCH
BLEED
AIR VALVE
1
TO BLEED
FUEL LOADS
APU BLEED AIR
APU CONTROL AIR
AIR INLET
RAM AIR
DOOR
M
1 AS INSTALLED
