Aircraft Pneumatic Systems

4 Power source types

3 Power networks on aircraft

Power rationalisation
should be feasible

Example: Power used on A330

Pneumatic power
Electrical power - Air conditioning
- Avionics Hydraulic power Mechanical power - Pressurisation
- Commercial - Flight Controls - Engine Fuel Pump - Ice Protection
- Pumps - Landing gear - Engine Oil Pump
- De-icing - Braking
- Lights - Reverse - Engine start
- Doors 200kW (peak)
 Introduction
Also known as vacuum or pressure systems.

Similar to hydraulic system but used air instead of fluid

Difference
Air is compressible
Fluid is not compressible

In comparison with hydraulics system there are advantages to be found by

using air instead of hydraulic fluid to transmit power.

A pneumatic system carries power by employing compressed gas, generally

air, as a fluid for transmitting energy from an energy-generating source to an
energy-using point to accomplish useful work.
 Applications

It powers the heading and altitude indicators in most general aviation (GA)
aircrafts.
Used for Engine Starting.
Cabin pressure and Air conditioning purposes.
Ice protections
Used for operating emergency devices
Powers Auto Pilot operations
Also powers flaps, windows, for opening and closing doors etc.
Emergency Brakes (some aircrafts)
Used when, for example, the landing gear hydraulic systems fails for a
reason. A backup pneumatic system uses a storage bottle with air and an
actuator as an emergency means to extend the gear.
 How Pneumatic Systems Works

The principle of operating Pneumatic system is (Pascal's law) i.e. same like
hydraulic fluids.
Air is drawn from the atmosphere through an air filter and raised to required
pressure by an air compressor.
Filtered Air is pulled through system by vacuum pump
Evacuated air passes through instrument case causes gyro to spin
Spinning gyros provide rigidity in space for instrument references
Air exhausts through Gyro Pressure Gauge exhaust port
Gauge measures system pressure

The type of unit used to provide pressurized air for pneumatic systems is
determined by the systems air pressure requirements.
As the pressure rises, the temperature also rises; hence, an air cooler is
provided to cool the air with some preliminary treatment to remove the
moisture.

The treated pressurized air then needs to get stored to maintain the pressure.

With the storage reservoir, a pressure switch is fitted to start and stop the
electric motor when pressure falls and reaches the required level, respectively.
Only certain flight instruments
are powered by the
vacuum/Pneumatic system.

The vacuum pump is mounted

on the rear of the engine.
Filtered Air is pulled through
system by vacuum pump
The air pump is engine driven.
The pump draws air through a
filter.
The air moves over the gyros
for the heading and attitude
indicator.
The air causes the gyroscopes
to move at 10,000 RPM.
The air goes out through the
vacuum regulator.
The air finishes its trip by
passing through the air pump
and overboard vent line.
 Elements of a basic compressed air pneumatic system

A Air Compressor B. Check Valve

C. Accumulator D. Directional Valve E. Actuator
We will also find a moisture separator, dryer and filter to keep the air clean and
free from water before it is stored in the high pressure bottles.

The functions of various components shown in Fig are as follows:

1. The pneumatic actuator converts the fluid power into mechanical power to
perform useful work

2. The compressor is used to compress the fresh air drawn from the
atmosphere.

3. The valves are used to control the direction, flow rate and pressure of
compressed air.

4. External power supply (motor) is used to drive the compressor.

5. The piping system carries the pressurized air from one location to another.
A Compressor
On some aircraft, permanently installed air compressors have been added
to recharge air bottles whenever pressure is used for operating a unit.
Several types of compressors are used for this purpose. Some have two
stages of compression, while others have three, depending on the
maximum desired operating pressure.

B Check valve
One-way valve - allows pressurized air to enter the pneumatic system, but
prevents backflow of air toward the Compressor when Compressor is
stopped (prevents loss of pressure).

C Accumulator
Stores compressed air,
Prevents surges in pressure.
D. Directional valve
Controls pressurized air flow from Accumulator .
Some valves are one way shut tight
Some valves are two way, allowing free exhaust from the port not selected
valves can be actuated manually or electrically.

E. Actuator
Converts energy stored in compressed air into mechanical motion
Example is a linear piston (piston limited to moving in two opposing
directions)
Other examples are alternate tools including: rotary actuators etc.

Relief Valves
Relief valves are used in pneumatic systems to prevent damage. They act as
pressure limiting units and prevent excessive pressures from bursting lines and
blowing out seals.
 Pneumatic System Components

Air Pump
Vacuum Regulator
Inlet Air Filter
Overboard Vent Line
Gauges
System Indicators
Attitude Indicator
Heading Indicator
Relief Valves
Vacuum Air Filter
Gyro instruments
 Pneumatic Air Filter

- Prevent system contamination.

- Remove air particulates

- Clean air is essential for good operations.

Pneumatic Pressure Regulator

- Prevents System over pressurization

- Ensures proper calibration

 Air Pump

Heart of pneumatic system is pressure or vacuum air pump (Usually engine driven)

Two basic types :

Wet air pumps use engine oil to lubricate pump.

Dry air pumps - more common Dry pumps have graphite vanes which lubricate
as they rotate.

** These pumps power the Heading and Attitude Indicators.

 Causes of Pneumatic System Failure
System Contamination

-Solid particles in pneumatic system damage

pump and plug valve openings

Liquids from oil, water, or engine cleaning

solvents

Restriction/ leaks within the system

- A loose fitting or damaged hoses

- Worn out, misused, or incorrectly

routed hoses

Sudden changes in engine speed

- Abrupt engine deceleration

- Sudden engine stoppage
 Actions Before Every Flight

Check for oil leaks

Check the hose

And clamps for
Check for Oil leaks
loose fittings
that allow
contaminants
into the Check for
system external
damage
 System Failure Alerts

Pneumatic System health can be determined by the indications on either the

vacuum gauge or flags on the attitude indicator
 Early Recognition

Inaccurate/conflicting Instrument information

Suction/pressure gauge indicates outside normal operating (green) range

Spotting pneumatic system failure early reduces chances of spatial

disorientation
 Emergency Procedures
Activate a back up power supply for pneumatics (auxiliary vacuum pump if
have)

Maintain partial panel instrument flying

- Cover up or simulate loss of flight instruments

Make timed turns

Notify ATC

In IMC seek and fly VMC .

Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) is an aviation flight category that
describes weather conditions that require pilots to fly primarily by reference to
instruments rather than by outside visual references under visual flight
rules (VFR).
The weather conditions required for flight under VFR are known as visual
meteorological conditions (VMC). IMC and VMC are mutually exclusive.
 Redundancy Options

Electrical Power Instruments

Secondary Air pump ( Electric Auxiliary Vacuum Pump)

Pressure differential Switch

 Advantages of Pneumatics System
Simple
Reliable
Light weight
Safe (if properly maintained)
Eco-friendly
Small (can be)
Unaffected by atmospheric changes
Inexpensive components
Pressure seals are usually problem free
Forces transmitted are easy to manage (within acceptable PSI limits)
A clean system (no fluid).
No fire problem - Air will not burn by itself, however, bottles can explode and
cause damage
 When everything else goes wrong!
The most important pneumatic system for pilot survival !!!

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Comparison between Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems

Usually hydraulic and pneumatic systems and equipment do not compete.

They are so dissimilar that there are few problems in selecting any of them that
cannot be readily resolved.

Certainly, availability is one of the important factors of selection but this may be
outweighed by other factors.

In numerous instances, for example, air is preferred to meet certain conditions,

that is, in "hot spots where there is an open furnace or other potential ignition
hazard or in operations where motion is required at extremely high speeds.

It is often found more efficient to use a combined circuit in which oil is used in
one part and air in another on the same machine or process.

Table shows a brief comparison of hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Thank You