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Apu auto shutdown это что

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  • No Start «Auto Shutdown» Message:

(No Acceleration) Reason-Apu Speed On Speed «Auto Shutdown» Message:

  • Action #1 = Inspect 108VU panel for water ingestion and contamination of «APU EMERGENCY SHUT DOWN» button (1KL). R/R 108VU panel per AIRBUS SB A320-92-1011.
  • Action #1 = Inspect mag plug for metal contamination R/R lube and generator filter elements.
  • Action #2 = If auto shut down continues, R/R both differential pressure switches.
  • Action #3 = If metal contanimation found on mag plug and auto shut down continues, R/R APU.
  • General info = Oil brand changes have been linked to filter clogging auto shutdowns. (no adverse inpact to APU).
  • Action #1 = Most Overtemp auto shut downs are due to E/C-(engine cooling) shroud delamination failures.
  • Action #2 = If shroud is delamed, replace the shroud.
  • Action #3 = If shroud is ok and auto shut downs continue, R/R APU.
  • Action #1 = If the fault is in conjunction with an auto shut down(No Flame/No Acceleration/or Underspeed) see ASD T/S recommendations above.
  • Action #2 = If the fault continues however the APU still starts, R/R A/C Fuel Pressure Switch(5030QM).
  • Action #3 = If the fault continues, check for possible defects with the A/C Fuel Pressure Switch (7QC). APU Fuel Pump, or Air Release Valve.
  • CAUTION: LIMIT APU STARTS TO 3/HR, OTHERWISE STARTER MOTOR DAMAGE CAN OCCUR.

No, Low, or Fluctuating Bleed Air Pressure:

  • Action #1 = If no APU LRU faults are found in the CFDS, restart APU and verify bleed air operations in ECS 2-Pack mode.
  • Action #2 = If NO AIR continues, R/R A/C Bleed Switch.
  • General info = Most «NO AIR» defects should have a Faulted LRU observed in the CFDS last leg reports.

FCN(Fault Code Number) = TSM Task.

(007, 008, 009, 010)=TSM49-70-00-810-816.

(016, 017, 018, 019)=TSM49-00-81-810-853.

(026, 027, 028, 029)=TSM49-00-81-810-854.

(031)=TSM49-00-81-810-852.

(076, 077, 215)=TSM49-00-81-810-835.

(079)=TSM49-00-81-810-802/806/813/824/836.

(081, 082)=TSM49-00-81-810-858.

(083)=TSM49-00-81-810-811/840.

(088, 096, 097)=TSM49-00-81-810-861.

(089, 091)=TSM49-00-81-810-856.

(099, 245)=TSM49-00-81-810-818/820/867.

(100)=TSM49-00-81-810-808/822/839.

(102)=TSM49-00-81-810-849.

(105, 106, 107)=TSM49-00-81-810-807/823/857.

(109, 110)=TSM49-00-81-810-851.

(113, 114)=TSM49-00-81-810-834.

(120)=TSM49-00-81-810-832.

(123)=TSM49-00-81-810-831.

(128, 146)=TSM49-00-81-810-825.

(204)=TSM49-00-81-810-805.

(205)=TSM49-00-81-810-810.

(206)=TSM49-00-81-810-812.

(208)=TSM49-00-81-810-819.

(209)=TSM49-00-81-810-821.

(211)=TSM49-00-81-810-829.

(212)=TSM49-00-81-810-830.

(215)=TSM49-00-81-810-835.

(216)=TSM49-00-81-810-847.

(218)=TSM49-00-81-810-850.

(240, 241, 242, 243, 244)=TSM49-00-81-810-821.

Apu auto shutdown это что

The APU may be started with DC from the batteries or with AC. The APU panel is located at the bottom centre of the overhead panel. External APU controls are located on the external power panel in the nose gear bay.

To start the APU, first press the master switch button, then the start button. The start sequence begins when the APU inlet flap is fully open.

To shut down the APU, turn off the master switch. If the APU bleed has been used, the shutdown sequence incorporates a delay of between 60 and 120 seconds before shutting down. As long as the AVAIL light is still displayed, the shut down sequence can be cancelled by turning the master switch back on. If APU bleed has not been used, the shutdown is immediate.

The APU control is completely automatic. Auto-shutdown is available whenever the APU is running. Automatic deployment of the APU extinguisher is also available on the ground. APU emergency shutdown is initiated by pressing the APU fire button or by pressing the APU SHUT OFF button on the external panel. An APU fire in flight will show the APU FIRE procedure on the ECAM, followed by the APU EMER SHUT procedure. On the ground, a fire will cause the APU AUTO SHUT DOWN procedure to be shown after the APU fire procedure.

The LOW OIL LEVEL on the ECAM indicates that the APU can only be used for a further 10 hours before maintenance is required. The amber FUEL LOW PR indication occurs during start if fuel pressure is low. It is only an advisory.

Apu auto shutdown это что

Wed May 03, 2000 6:38 pm

Could someone please enlighten me on the procedure for APU startup / shut down (any aircraft that has them, or specific if different aircraft use different procedures). I am looking not only for how, but more importantly when.

The reason I ask the question is because the other day I heard an aircraft go over the house and looked out the window to see what it was (as one always does). While I was watching it (an A320), I saw a vapor like trail come from what seemingly was the APU outlet. I was wondering if this was unburned fuel passing through the turbine in the startup procedure. The house is about 18-20Nm from the airport.

Also, does the APU use ram-air to start it turning?

Guest

RE: APU Start-up / Shut Down
  • Quote
  • #2

Wed May 03, 2000 8:30 pm

jim Posts: 448 Joined: Thu Jul 29, 1999 8:12 am

RE: APU Start-up / Shut Down
  • Quote
  • #3

Thu May 04, 2000 12:16 am

The already-posted information is entirely correct. I only wish to add that on larger aircraft the generator is NOT interchangable with the engine driven ones.

The engine driven generators use some sort of Constant Speed Drive unit to turn the generator at a constant speed regardless of the engine RPM (think automatic transmission stuck in a gear) whereas the APU speed is increased or decreased to maintain proper APU generator speed.

Generator speed is vitally important because large aircraft systems use 115vac at 400Hz. The frequency MUST be correct or else electronics malfunction.

As to altitude restrictions, that is more for using the APU as a pneumatic source. Above say 15,000 ft, the air is too thin for many APUs to be effective at providing adequate air for pack operation, so it is used exclusively for electrical power above that altitude. The GCTP331-400B for the 767-400 is rated full electric up to the aircraft service ceiling (43,100 ft), but can only provide air up to 17,000 ft.

Ram air is a big part of performing an in-flight start, which is one of the reasons that the 727 apu is ground-use only. As the APU is located in the main wheel wells, there is no way to get a ram effect (or enough air to operate) with the gear doors closed.

As to shut down, all APUs I’m familiar with have a cool down cycle, either required or automatic, to reduce wear and tear on the unit. After removing all air and electric loads, the APU isallowed to run for x number of seconds (usually 90) to cool the turbine area. The one exception to this is if there is a fire warninig indication, in which case the APU is shut down immediately.

Apu auto shutdown это что

The APU may be started with DC from the batteries or with AC. The APU panel is located at the bottom centre of the overhead panel. External APU controls are located on the external power panel in the nose gear bay.

To start the APU, first press the master switch button, then the start button. The start sequence begins when the APU inlet flap is fully open.

To shut down the APU, turn off the master switch. If the APU bleed has been used, the shutdown sequence incorporates a delay of between 60 and 120 seconds before shutting down. As long as the AVAIL light is still displayed, the shut down sequence can be cancelled by turning the master switch back on. If APU bleed has not been used, the shutdown is immediate.

The APU control is completely automatic. Auto-shutdown is available whenever the APU is running. Automatic deployment of the APU extinguisher is also available on the ground. APU emergency shutdown is initiated by pressing the APU fire button or by pressing the APU SHUT OFF button on the external panel. An APU fire in flight will show the APU FIRE procedure on the ECAM, followed by the APU EMER SHUT procedure. On the ground, a fire will cause the APU AUTO SHUT DOWN procedure to be shown after the APU fire procedure.

The LOW OIL LEVEL on the ECAM indicates that the APU can only be used for a further 10 hours before maintenance is required. The amber FUEL LOW PR indication occurs during start if fuel pressure is low. It is only an advisory.

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The APU is a source of bleed air and AC electrics for the aircraft, this gives independence during turnarounds, electrical backup in the event of engine failure and provides air conditioning & pressurisation during an engine bleeds off take-off. It’s electrical power source is the battery, many series -500 aircraft have an extra, dedicated APU battery to preserve main battery usage.

There are many different APUs available for the 737. The Garrett GTCP (Gas Turbine Compressor [air] Power unit [electrics]) 85-129 was standard for the series 1/200 but when the -300 was introduced it was found that two to three times the energy was needed to start the larger CFM56 engines. Garrett produced the 85-129[E] which had a stretched compressor, ie the impellers were lengthened and the tip diameters increased. When the 737-400 was introduced, even more output was required and Garrett produced the 85-129[H]. This has an Electronic Temperature Control which limits hot section temperatures depending upon demand and ambient temperatures. By 1989 the 85-129[H] was the most common APU, although there are actually 14 different models of the 85-129 in service with 737s (see table below).

Other APUs available for the Classic were the Garrett GTCP 36-280(B) and the Sundstrand APS 2000; NGs have the Allied Signal GTCP 131-9B. The main difference between them is that the Garrett is hydro-mechanical whereas Sundstrand and Allied Signal are FADEC controlled. I am told by engineers that whilst the Garrett is more robust, the Sundstrand and Allied Signal APUs are easier to work on. On the 3/4/500s, we pilots prefer the Sundstrand because it has no EGT limits and faster restart wait times. The easiest way to tell which is fitted is to look at the EGT gauge limits; the GTCP 85-129 has an 850C limit and also runs at 415Hz, the GTCP 36-280 has an 1100C limit if no EGT limits are marked you have a Sundstrand. Later aircraft have MAINT instead of LOW OIL QUANTITY and FAULT instead of HIGH OIL TEMP warning lights.

The AlliedSignal APU has a 41,000ft start capability and incorporates a starter/generator, thus eliminating a DC starter and clutch. In practice this means that it can be started either by battery or AC transfer bus 1 (the classics are battery start only). It has an educter oil cooling system (see Bottom of page advert) and therefore has no need for a cooling fan. It is rated at 90KVA up to 31,000ft and 66KVA up to 41,000ft. The Garrett and Sundstrand APUs are only rated to 55KVA.

The fuel source is normally from the No 1 main tank and it is recommended that at least one pump in the supplying tank be on during the start sequence (and whenever operating) to provide positive fuel pressure and preserve the service life of the APU fuel control unit. Boeing responded to this need by installing an extra DC operated APU fuel boost pump in the No 1 tank on newer series 500 aircraft which automatically operates during APU start and shuts off when it reaches governed speed. You can quickly tell if this is installed by looking for the APU BAT position on the metering panel and the APU BAT OVHT light on the aft overhead panel.

It is recommended that the APU be operated for one full minute with no pneumatic load prior to shutdown. This cooling period is to extend the life of the turbine wheel of the APU.

Garrett 85-129 APU panel

EGT limits marked and oil temp & pressure captions.

Garrett 36-280 / Sundstrand / AlliedSignal APU panel

No EGT limits and MAINT & FAULT captions.

Components

Sundstrand APS 2000

APU Timer

Some aircraft have APU timers fitted on the aft overhead panel, since APU running time cannot be measured by aircraft logbook time.

Fire Protection

There is only one APU fire bottle, despite the fact that the handle can be turned in either direction! It is filled with Freon (the extinguishant) and Nitrogen (the propellant) at about 800psi. When the fire handle is turned, the squib is fired which breaks the diaphragm on the bottle, the pressure of the nitrogen then forces the freon into the APU compartment which suffocates the fire. Note that after a squib has been fired, the yellow disc on the fuselage may not blow completely clear, see photos below.

The APU fire extinguisher bottle indicators comprise of one yellow disc to show if the squib has been fired and one red disc to show if the bottle has over temperatured (130C) or over pressured (1800psi). Some aircraft are fitted with the sight glass to the bottle pressure gauge.

Note: Sight glass and bottle indicators are not fitted to NG’s.

This photo shows the condition of the discs after the APU fire bottle had been discharged. Notice how the yellow disc is displaced slightly but has not been blown away, this could easily be missed on an external inspection. Since the bottle only contains nitrogen and freon, there was no other external evidence of the bottle having been used since the evidence had evaporated away.

General

The APU will auto-shutdown for the following reasons:

  • Fire
  • Low oil pressure
  • High oil temperature / Fault
  • Overspeed

The OVERSPEED light may illuminate for any of the following reasons:

  • An aborted start (overspeed signal given to shutdown). � Further restart may be attempted.
  • A real overspeed while running. � Do not restart.
  • On shutdown (failed test of the overspeed circuit). � Do not restart.

There is no CSD in the APU because it is a constant speed engine.

If the APU appears to have started but no APU GEN OFF BUS light is observed then you may have a hung start.

The current limit is 125A -air and 150A -ground, due to better airflow cooling on the ground. The galley power will automatically be load shed if the APU load reaches 165A. Because of these limits, the APU may only power one bus in the air. However, if you should accidentally take-off with the APU on the busses then it will continue to power both busses. If the APU EGT reaches 620-650 � C, the bleed air valve will modulate toward closed. (This can lead to an aborted engine start if the electrics do not load shed first.)

LOW OIL QTY/MAINT � When illuminated, you may continue to operate the APU for up to 30 hrs. Note: this light is only armed when APU switch is ON.

FAULT � Although the malfunction will cause the APU to auto-shutdown, additional restarts may be attempted.

Max recommended start altitude � 25,000ft Classics; No limit NG’s.

Each start attempt uses approx 7mins of battery life.

Classic: Switching the battery off will shutdown the APU on the ground only.

NG: Switching the battery off will shutdown the APU in the air or on the ground.

The APU is enclosed within a fireproof, sound reducing shroud which must be removed before access can be gained to its components.

There are two drain masts. The one just aft of the port wheel-well is shared with the hydraulic reservoir vent and is a shrouded line enclosing the APU fuel supply line, this collects any leakage of fuel into the shroud which can be drained when a stop cork is pushed up in the wheel-well. If fuel drains when the stop cork is pushed, it indicates a leak in the APU fuel line.

The drain mast on the APU Cowling (see photo left) mates with the APU shroud and drains oil from the forward accessory and the compressor bearing.

The opening at the top of the photo is the cooling air vent.

The APU shroud (center), fuel supply line (left), bleed air duct (right) and cooling air vent (outlined in red). Note this metal shroud is replaced by thermal fire protection blanket on the NG.

 

The APU cowling showing the lines to the discharge discs and the cooling air overboard exhaust. The small access panel above the cowling is the line of sight oil filler, this is sometime located ventrally in front of the cowling for easy access from the ground.

NG Eductor cooling system

The 737 NG APU is recognisable by the “eductor” cooling air inlet above the exhaust. This and a redesigned silencer make the NG APU 12dB quieter than the Classics.

The eductor works by using the high speed flow of the APU exhaust which forms a low pressure area. The low pressure pulls outside air through the eductor inlet duct to the APU compartment. The cooling air then goes through the oil cooler and out the APU exhaust duct below, eliminating the need for a separate cooling air vent or fan.

The protrusion on the lower right hand side of the photo is the vortex generator on the APU air inlet door.

Limitations & Operating Techniques:

APU life can be shortened by incorrect operating techniques. This can be helped by allowing the correct warm-up & cool-down times and bleed configuration for each type of APU. They all differ slightly due to engine core and design differences, but the manifestation of the failure is usually a turbine wheel rotor and/or blade separation. The following table is based on manufacturers recommendations.

aircraftengineering

The APU is a source of bleed air and AC electrics for the aircraft, this gives independence during turnarounds, electrical backup in the event of engine failure and provides air conditioning & pressurisation during an engine bleeds off take-off. It’s electrical power source is the battery, many series -500 aircraft have an extra, dedicated APU battery to preserve main battery usage.

There are many different APU’s available for the 737. The most common is the Garrett GTCP (Gas Turbine Compressor [air] Power unit [electrics]) 85-129. This was standard for the series 1/200 but when the -300 was introduced it was found that two to three times the energy was needed to start the larger CFM56 engines. Garrett produced the 85-129[E] which had a stretched compressor, ie the impellers were lengthened and the tip diameters increased. When the 737-400 was introduced, even more output was required and Garrett produced the 85-129[H]. This has an Electronic Temperature Control which limits hot section temperatures depending upon demand and ambient temperatures. By 1989 the 85-129[H] was the most standard APU in all 737 models, although there are actually 14 different models of the 85-129 in service with 737’s (see table below).

Other APU’s available are the Garrett GTCP 36-280(B) and the Sundstrand APS 2000 on the 3/4/500; and the Allied Signal GTCP 131-9B for the NG’s. The main difference between them is that the Garrett is hydro-mechanical whereas Sundstrand and Allied Signal are FADEC controlled. I am told by engineers that whilst the Garrett is more robust, the Sundstrand & Allied Signal’s are easier to work on. On the 3/4/500’s, we pilots prefer the Sundstrand because it has no EGT limits and faster restart wait times. The easiest way to tell which is fitted is to look at the EGT gauge limits; the GTCP 85-129 has an 850C limit and also runs at 415Hz, the GTCP 36-280 has an 1100C limit if no EGT limits are marked you have a Sundstrand. Later aircraft have MAINT instead of LOW OIL QUANTITY and FAULT instead of HIGH OIL TEMP warning lights.

The AlliedSignal APU has a 41,000ft start capability and incorporates a starter/generator, thus eliminating a DC starter and clutch. In practice this means that it can be started either by battery or AC transfer bus 1 (the classics are battery start only). It has an educter oil cooling system (see bottom of page) and therefore has no need for a cooling fan. It is rated at 90KVA up to 31,000ft and 66KVA up to 41,000ft. The Garrett and Sundstrand APUs are only rated to 55KVA.

The fuel source is normally from the No 1 main tank and it is recommended that at least one pump in the supplying tank be on during the start sequence (and whenever operating) to provide positive fuel pressure and preserve the service life of the APU fuel control unit. Boeing responded to this need by installing an extra DC operated APU fuel boost pump in the No 1 tank on newer series 500 aircraft which automatically operates during APU start and shuts off when it reaches governed speed. You can quickly tell if this is installed by looking for the APU BAT position on the metering panel and the APU BAT OVHT light on the aft overhead panel.

It is recommended that the APU be operated for one full minute with no pneumatic load prior to shutdown. This cooling period is to extend the life of the turbine wheel of the APU.

Garrett 85-129 APU panel

EGT limits marked and oil temp & pressure captions.

Components

Sundstrand APS 2000

APU Timer

Some aircraft have APU timers fitted on the aft overhead panel, since APU running time cannot be measured by aircraft logbook time.

Fire Protection

There is only one APU fire bottle, despite the fact that the handle can be turned in either direction! It is filled with Freon (the extinguishant) and Nitrogen (the propellant) at about 800psi. When the fire handle is turned, the squib is fired which breaks the diaphragm on the bottle, the pressure of the nitrogen then forces the freon into the APU compartment which suffocates the fire. Note that after a squib has been fired, the yellow disc on the fuselage may not blow completely clear, see photos below.

The APU fire extinguisher bottle indicators comprise of one yellow disc to show if the squib has been fired and one red disc to show if the bottle has over temperatured (130C) or over pressured (1800psi). Some aircraft are fitted with the sight glass to the bottle pressure gauge.

General

The APU will auto-shutdown for the following reasons:

  • Fire
  • Low oil pressure
  • High oil temperature / Fault
  • Overspeed

The OVERSPEED light may illuminate for any of the following reasons:

  • An aborted start (overspeed signal given to shutdown). – Further restart may be attempted.
  • A real overspeed while running. – Do not restart.
  • On shutdown (failed test of the overspeed circuit). – Do not restart.

There is no CSD in the APU because it is a constant speed engine.

If the APU appears to have started but no APU GEN OFF BUS light is observed then you may have a hung start.

The current limit is 125A -air and 150A -ground, due to better airflow cooling on the ground. The galley power will automatically be load shed if the APU load reaches 165A. Because of these limits, the APU may only power one bus in the air. However, if you should accidentally take-off with the APU on the busses then it will continue to power both busses. If the APU EGT reaches 620-650°C, the bleed air valve will modulate toward closed. (This can lead to an aborted engine start if the electrics do not load shed first.)

LOW OIL QTY/MAINT – When illuminated, you may continue to operate the APU for up to 30 hrs. Note: this light is only armed when APU switch is ON.

FAULT – Although the malfunction will cause the APU to auto-shutdown, additional restarts may be attempted.

Max recommended start altitude – 25,000ft Classics; No limit NG’s.

Each start attempt uses approx 7mins of battery life.

Classic: Switching the battery off will shutdown the APU on the ground only.

NG: Switching the battery off will shutdown the APU in the air or on the ground.

The APU is enclosed within a fireproof, sound reducing shroud which must be removed before access can be gained to its components.

There are two drain masts. The one just aft of the port wheel-well is shared with the hydraulic reservoir vent and is a shrouded line enclosing the APU fuel supply line, this collects any leakage of fuel into the shroud which can be drained when a stop cork is pushed up in the wheel-well. If fuel drains when the stop cork is pushed, it indicates a leak in the APU fuel line.

The drain mast on the APU Cowling (see photo left) mates with the APU shroud and drains oil from the forward accessory and the compressor bearing.

The opening at the top of the photo is the cooling air vent.

The APU shroud (center), fuel supply line (left), bleed air duct (right) and cooling air vent (outlined in red). Note this metal shroud is replaced by thermal fire protection blanket on the NG.

NG Eductor cooling system

The 737 NG APU is immediately recognisable by the new “eductor” cooling air inlet above the exhaust. This and the new silencer makes the NG APU 12dB quieter than the classics.

The eductor works by using the high speed flow of the APU exhaust which forms a low pressure area. The low pressure pulls outside air through the eductor inlet duct to the APU compartment. The cooling air then goes through the oil cooler and out the APU exhaust duct below, eliminating the need for a separate cooling air vent or fan.

Limitations & Operating Techniques:

APU life can be shortened by incorrect operating techniques. This can be helped by allowing the correct warm-up & cool-down times and bleed configuration for each type of APU. They all differ slightly due to engine core and design differences, but the manifestation of the failure is usually a turbine wheel rotor and/or blade separation. The following table is based on manufacturers recommendations.

Garrett 85-129

Sundstrand APS 2000

737-1/200 & some 3/4/500’s

737-3/4/500

737-3/4/500

737-NG

With colour bands

850C Gauge (Pre V14.1 FADEC)

1100C Gauge (V14.1 FADEC onwards)

Starter Limits

1 st – 3 rd – No wait

Max alt Elec

37,000ft 37,000ft

*Initiates automatic cool down cycle.

Warm up period: The minimum time to run the APU before a pneumatic load is applied. This allows the turbine wheel temperature to stabilise before a load is applied. Whilst 3 minutes is the recommended figure, 1 minute should be the absolute minimum. Note an electrical load may be used with no warm up period.

Bleed Pack Operation: The number of packs to use on the ground. APU’s which should run both packs have load compressors to supply bleed air. So two pack operation gives both cooler turbine wheel temperatures and a lower fuel burn.

Main Engine Start (MES) to APU shutdown: The cool-down time to allow after main engine start.

Note also that there should be a minimum amount of time between turning off the pack(s) and starting the first engine. Additionally, minimum delay should occur between starting the first & second engine. This prevents the turbine wheel temperature from decreasing and then significantly increasing when the second engine is started.

APU shutdown: The cool-down time to allow after flight, after the packs have been switched off. Note, it is important to allow the APU to complete their shutdown sequence before the battery is switched off.

Ref: Flt Ops tech Bulletin 99-1

Pack Operation and Fuel Flow

Single pack operation is not recommended with the Allied Signal 131-9 APU. The following 737-700 CDU BITE pages show the reason why:

APU Bite 1 APU Bite 2APU Bite 3
No packs on 1 pack on 2 packs on

A single pack must work harder than two packs to cool the cabin to a given temperature. Hence the APU must supply higher bleed air pressures to assure proper environmental control system operation. This higher pressure requires a greater Inlet Guide Vane (IGV) open position than that required for 2–pack operation. Since there is less airflow required to operate 1–pack than is needed, a significant amount of unused bleed air is exhausted through the Surge Control Valve (SCV). This higher IGV open position and large quantity of unused air translates into higher APU fuel burn and higher EGTs during 1–pack operation. Also, the high airflow levels exhausting through the surge control valve increases the overall APU generated noise by 2dbA. With 2 packs supplying the cabin cooling requirements the pressure requirement is lower, resulting in lower turbine inlet temperatures, EGTs and far less unused air being discharged through the surge valve.

The Future

Boeing has started flight tests of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) APU. The SOFC uses jet fuel as the reformer in the proton exchange membrane to give a 440kW APU that is 75% efficient compared to the conventional 40-45% efficient APU’s. This would give a typical fuel saving of 1,360t for a 737 over a year. It is actually a hybrid gas turbine / fuel cell due to the sudden surges in demand eg engine starts and gear retraction etc. The SOFC will use air from a compressor passed through a heat exchanger for its gas turbine section. A potential drawback is that it has a 40min start-up time, so it would have to remain on for the whole day and depending upon its noise levels this could be a problem at airports which require the APU to be shutdown during the turnaround. The technology for the SOFC APU to replace the current APU is not likely to be available until at least 2015

The APU is a source of bleed air and AC electrics for the aircraft, this gives independence during turnarounds, electrical backup in the event of engine failure and provides air conditioning & pressurisation during an engine bleeds off take-off. It’s electrical power source is the battery, many series -500 aircraft have an extra, dedicated APU battery to preserve main battery usage.

There are many different APU’s available for the 737. The most common is the Garrett GTCP (Gas Turbine Compressor [air] Power unit [electrics]) 85-129. This was standard for the series 1/200 but when the -300 was introduced it was found that two to three times the energy was needed to start the larger CFM56 engines. Garrett produced the 85-129[E] which had a stretched compressor, ie the impellers were lengthened and the tip diameters increased. When the 737-400 was introduced, even more output was required and Garrett produced the 85-129[H]. This has an Electronic Temperature Control which limits hot section temperatures depending upon demand and ambient temperatures. By 1989 the 85-129[H] was the most standard APU in all 737 models, although there are actually 14 different models of the 85-129 in service with 737’s (see table below).

Other APU’s available are the Garrett GTCP 36-280(B) and the Sundstrand APS 2000 on the 3/4/500; and the Allied Signal GTCP 131-9B for the NG’s. The main difference between them is that the Garrett is hydro-mechanical whereas Sundstrand and Allied Signal are FADEC controlled. I am told by engineers that whilst the Garrett is more robust, the Sundstrand & Allied Signal’s are easier to work on. On the 3/4/500’s, we pilots prefer the Sundstrand because it has no EGT limits and faster restart wait times. The easiest way to tell which is fitted is to look at the EGT gauge limits; the GTCP 85-129 has an 850C limit and also runs at 415Hz, the GTCP 36-280 has an 1100C limit if no EGT limits are marked you have a Sundstrand. Later aircraft have MAINT instead of LOW OIL QUANTITY and FAULT instead of HIGH OIL TEMP warning lights.

The AlliedSignal APU has a 41,000ft start capability and incorporates a starter/generator, thus eliminating a DC starter and clutch. In practice this means that it can be started either by battery or AC transfer bus 1 (the classics are battery start only). It has an educter oil cooling system (see bottom of page) and therefore has no need for a cooling fan. It is rated at 90KVA up to 31,000ft and 66KVA up to 41,000ft. The Garrett and Sundstrand APUs are only rated to 55KVA.

The fuel source is normally from the No 1 main tank and it is recommended that at least one pump in the supplying tank be on during the start sequence (and whenever operating) to provide positive fuel pressure and preserve the service life of the APU fuel control unit. Boeing responded to this need by installing an extra DC operated APU fuel boost pump in the No 1 tank on newer series 500 aircraft which automatically operates during APU start and shuts off when it reaches governed speed. You can quickly tell if this is installed by looking for the APU BAT position on the metering panel and the APU BAT OVHT light on the aft overhead panel.

It is recommended that the APU be operated for one full minute with no pneumatic load prior to shutdown. This cooling period is to extend the life of the turbine wheel of the APU.

Garrett 85-129 APU panel

EGT limits marked and oil temp & pressure captions.

Components

Sundstrand APS 2000

APU Timer

Some aircraft have APU timers fitted on the aft overhead panel, since APU running time cannot be measured by aircraft logbook time.

Fire Protection

There is only one APU fire bottle, despite the fact that the handle can be turned in either direction! It is filled with Freon (the extinguishant) and Nitrogen (the propellant) at about 800psi. When the fire handle is turned, the squib is fired which breaks the diaphragm on the bottle, the pressure of the nitrogen then forces the freon into the APU compartment which suffocates the fire. Note that after a squib has been fired, the yellow disc on the fuselage may not blow completely clear, see photos below.

The APU fire extinguisher bottle indicators comprise of one yellow disc to show if the squib has been fired and one red disc to show if the bottle has over temperatured (130C) or over pressured (1800psi). Some aircraft are fitted with the sight glass to the bottle pressure gauge.

General

The APU will auto-shutdown for the following reasons:

  • Fire
  • Low oil pressure
  • High oil temperature / Fault
  • Overspeed

The OVERSPEED light may illuminate for any of the following reasons:

  • An aborted start (overspeed signal given to shutdown). – Further restart may be attempted.
  • A real overspeed while running. – Do not restart.
  • On shutdown (failed test of the overspeed circuit). – Do not restart.

There is no CSD in the APU because it is a constant speed engine.

If the APU appears to have started but no APU GEN OFF BUS light is observed then you may have a hung start.

The current limit is 125A -air and 150A -ground, due to better airflow cooling on the ground. The galley power will automatically be load shed if the APU load reaches 165A. Because of these limits, the APU may only power one bus in the air. However, if you should accidentally take-off with the APU on the busses then it will continue to power both busses. If the APU EGT reaches 620-650°C, the bleed air valve will modulate toward closed. (This can lead to an aborted engine start if the electrics do not load shed first.)

LOW OIL QTY/MAINT – When illuminated, you may continue to operate the APU for up to 30 hrs. Note: this light is only armed when APU switch is ON.

FAULT – Although the malfunction will cause the APU to auto-shutdown, additional restarts may be attempted.

Max recommended start altitude – 25,000ft Classics; No limit NG’s.

Each start attempt uses approx 7mins of battery life.

Classic: Switching the battery off will shutdown the APU on the ground only.

NG: Switching the battery off will shutdown the APU in the air or on the ground.

The APU is enclosed within a fireproof, sound reducing shroud which must be removed before access can be gained to its components.

There are two drain masts. The one just aft of the port wheel-well is shared with the hydraulic reservoir vent and is a shrouded line enclosing the APU fuel supply line, this collects any leakage of fuel into the shroud which can be drained when a stop cork is pushed up in the wheel-well. If fuel drains when the stop cork is pushed, it indicates a leak in the APU fuel line.

The drain mast on the APU Cowling (see photo left) mates with the APU shroud and drains oil from the forward accessory and the compressor bearing.

The opening at the top of the photo is the cooling air vent.

The APU shroud (center), fuel supply line (left), bleed air duct (right) and cooling air vent (outlined in red). Note this metal shroud is replaced by thermal fire protection blanket on the NG.

NG Eductor cooling system

The 737 NG APU is immediately recognisable by the new “eductor” cooling air inlet above the exhaust. This and the new silencer makes the NG APU 12dB quieter than the classics.

The eductor works by using the high speed flow of the APU exhaust which forms a low pressure area. The low pressure pulls outside air through the eductor inlet duct to the APU compartment. The cooling air then goes through the oil cooler and out the APU exhaust duct below, eliminating the need for a separate cooling air vent or fan.

Limitations & Operating Techniques:

APU life can be shortened by incorrect operating techniques. This can be helped by allowing the correct warm-up & cool-down times and bleed configuration for each type of APU. They all differ slightly due to engine core and design differences, but the manifestation of the failure is usually a turbine wheel rotor and/or blade separation. The following table is based on manufacturers recommendations.

 

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