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Auxiliary
Power Unit
The material covered in this document is based off information obtained from
the original manufacturers Pilot and Maintenance manuals. It is to be used
for simulation purposes only.
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Table of Contents
APU Overview
APU Engine Primary Components
APU Fuel Supply
APU Start
APU Operational Modes
APU Altitude Operational Limits
APU Shutdown
APU Normal Shutdown
APU Protective Shutdown
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Table of Illustrations
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6
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13
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APU Overview
The Auxiliary Power Unit, or APU, is a gas turbine engine
capable of providing electrical and pneumatic services
on the ground and in the air. It allows the aircraft to be selfsufficient on the ground without the need for ground power.
The 737NG uses the AlliedSignal, now Honeywell, 131-9B
APU.
The 131-9B is able to start and operate up to the
aircrafts maximum certified altitude of 41,000 feet.
The APU is installed within a fireproof compartment in the
tail of the aircraft.
A firewall isolates the APU compartment from the aircraft
fuselage and the horizontal stabilizer assembly.
The APU air inlet door is located on the right side of the aft
fuselage and is automatically controlled. This is a NACA
type inlet, a concept originally developed by the US
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1945.
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Air enters the APU through the air inlet, and is directed
into the centrifugal compressor which throws it outwards,
compressing it.
The compressed air is directed into the combustion
chamber where it is mixed with fuel and ignited. Ignition and
expansion of the gas in the combustion chamber forces it
through the turbines, spinning them.
The turbines are connected to a single shaft, which in turn
is connected to the centrifugal compressor. Also attached
to this same shaft are a starter-generator, gearbox, and the
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The key difference here is that the two main engines supply
bleed air from the power section, while the APU has a
dedicated compressor for the job.
Because the pneumatic load compressor is attached to
the same shaft as the engine compressor, they both spin at
the same RPM.
In order to vary the amount of bleed air taken from the
APU, the ECU opens and closes Inlet Guide Vanes in the
load compressor inlet. These control the amount of air that
enters the load compressor, and consequently the amount
of air taken from the APU for aircraft systems.
The Inlet Guide Vanes move from 15 degrees to 110
degrees as bleed air demand changes.
The accessory gearbox is also mounted to the APU shaft.
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Notes
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COMPRESSOR
AIR INLET
SURGE CONTROL
VALVE
EDUCTOR INLET
STARTER
GENERATOR
FROM FUEL
SYSTEM
FCU
FROM EDUCTOR
INLET
OIL COOLER
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With the Crossfeed Valve open, fuel may also be fed from
Main Tank 2. Operation of the DC Fuel Boost Pump is
automatic, but the AC Pumps must be manually selected
ON or OFF on the Forward Overhead Panel. When an
AC pump is used and pressurizes the system, the DC pump
automatically shuts off.
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TO APU
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APU Start
APU start is controlled by the ECU, Electronic Control Unit.
It is a fully automatic start sequence.
The Battery Switch on the Forward Overhead Panel must
be set ON before the APU can be started.
The APU Fire Switch on the Aft Electronics Panel must
also be IN, and the APU Fire Control Handle in the main
landing gear wheel well must be in the UP position.
Controls and indications for the APU are located on the
Forward Overhead Panel.
The start sequence is commenced by holding the APU
switch momentarily to START. The switch is spring loaded
back to the ON position, and will return there when
released. When the switch is selected to START, the
Electronic Control Unit opens the APU Fuel Shut-off Valve
and the APU Air Inlet Door.
Either 28v DC power from the battery or 115v AC power
from AC Transfer Bus #1 may be used to start the APU. This
passes through the Start Power Unit which converts it to
270v DC power.
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No bleed mode
Duct pressurization mode
Main engine start mode
Air conditioning system mode
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15
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2
3
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Load Compressor
Cross Section
IGVs
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Cross Section
Notes
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APU Shutdown
Like the start process, the Electronic Control Unit, or
ECU, controls the shutdown. There are two types of APU
shutdowns:
Normal shutdown
Protective shutdown
The cool down period preserves the life of the APU hot
section, and prevents coke accumulating in the turbine
bearing and fuel nozzles.
As the APU speed decreases below 30%, the APU Fuel
Shutoff Valve and inlet door start to close.
If the APU Fuel Shutoff Valve does not close, the FAULT
light will illuminate after approximately 30 seconds.
When the APU switch is set OFF, the ECU performs several
actions:
It removes the Ready to Load signal, thus indicating
to aircraft systems that the APU is no longer ready to
accept pneumatic or electric load.
It closes the APU Bleed Air Valve.
Closes the Inlet Guide Vanes to 15 degrees.
Opens the Surge Control Valve.
De-energizes the APU starter-generator.
Starts the 60 second timer for the cool down period.
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Notes
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