Small Auxiliary Power Unit Design Constraints,

Abstract

Self-sufficiency for military aircraft operating from remote advanced bases can be attained with small on-board air breathing gas turbine auxiliary power units (APUs) supplying main engine start and aircraft secondary power. The small, fixed shaft, gas turbine configuration comprising the single-stage radial compressor and radial inflow turbine, mounted back-to-back, and overhung from a 'cold end' bearing capsule has found favor in providing this duty due to inherent attributes low cost, simplicity and high power-to-weight ratio. This configuration of APUs first entered service in the early 1950s, and derivatives have been designed, developed and produced to meet aircraft industry demands. Extensive experience with these APUs has led to the formulation of several major design constraints, within the objective of minimum life cycle costs, that enhance development of both modified and derivative versions. This paper highlights some of these design constraints and identifies advantageous areas of research and development for future APUs. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1983
Accession Number
ADP002286

Entities

People

  • C. Rodgers

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Breathing
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Auxiliary Power Units
  • Breathing Gases
  • Costs
  • Engines
  • Gas Turbines
  • Gases
  • Life Cycle Costs
  • Life Cycles
  • Military Aircraft
  • Turbines

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Electrical Engineering