Pneumatics and Bleed Air

What is pneumatics
Safety precautions when working on bleed
air systems
Advantages of using pneumatics systems.
Typical Pneumatics system
Engine bleed air

Pneumatics
Pneumatics systems are fluid power systems, that use compressible fluid, air
Low pressure used to operate, gyro and instruments
High pressure used for emergrncey backup, lowering landing gear and
brakes
Safety precautions.
Bleed air is hot
Replace seals (crush seals)
Dont lever against ducts, as dents can cause hot spots.
Tighten clamps to torque figure, quoted in MM

Advantages of pneumatic systems over hydraulic and

electrical systems.

Unlimited supply of air

Pneumatics systems are simple and light weight

No return lines (like hydraulic system) therefore saving more weight

No fire hazzard

Contamination limited by use of filters

Typical high pressure pneumatic system

An air compressor is driven from the engines accessory drive.

Compressed air is discharged through a bleed valve to a pressure relief
valve.
Bleed valve is closed by oil pressure, if bleed valve fails, it will open to
off load the compressor
Pressure relief valve maintains system pressure at around 3000psi
Shuttle valve between compressor and main system, to make it
possible to charge system from ground source.
When engine not running shuttle valve slides over to isolate
compressor.
Air is stored at max system pressure (3000 psi) to supply landing gear
and brakes in emergency
Reducing valve fitted to reduce air pressure down to operating
pressure for majority of components (1000 psi)

As air pressure drops when a component actuates moisture in a compressed

system will freeze.
Water separator fitted, which collects moisture from air onto a baffle, water
then drains over board.
Electric heater prevents water separator from freezing.
Any remaining moisture is removed as air flows through desiccant or chemical
dryer.
Air is then filtered before it enters system.
Air then can be fed into storage bottles for emergency systems
Manually operated Isolation valve, allows air supply to be shut off so that
maintenance can be carried out without having to discharge the storage
bottles.

Bleed Air

Used in turbo jet aircraft

Hot air bled from engine compressors to cabin
Before enters cabin , passes through a pressure and temperature control
system, which reduces pressure and temperature. Then mixed with RAM air
Two tapings taken from engine. One from LP stage and the other from, HP
stages, to maintain reasonable pressure band at all engine speeds.
At low engine rpm the LP air is of insufficient pressure for use. Therefore air is
tapped from HP stages.
When engine speed increases so does the Lp air pressure. Then ata
predetermined pressure Hp air will be shut off .
When operating at maximum engine speeds air will be taken purely from the
LP stages.
In normal stages of flight the bleed air will come from the LP stages.

Bleed Air

In bleed air pressure is regulated by a high pressure shut off valve, range of
pressure is from 10 psi at ground idle and 65 psi at takeoff power
Bleed air ducts are manufactured from stainless steel, pipelines are made from
titanium.
Over temperature of bleed air is prevented by electrical sensor downstream of
engine bleed valve. Overheat will be indicated to pilot on CWP and associated
control panel.

Bleed air and air con

Bleed air provides hot air to air conditioning packs.

Hot air passes through primary and secondary heat exchangers
Mixes with cold air to provide conditioned air for aircraft
As hot air passed through system it flows across a turbine which drives the
system compressor.

Bleed air also used for cabin pressure

Air drives compressor which pressurises air before fed into cabin.
Flow control valves double up as shut off valves in case of a fault.

Pneumatic System