Basic Aircraft Hydraulic ( Rat System)

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Hydraulic systems take engine power and convert it to hydraulic power by means of a hydraulic pump. This power can be distributed throughout the airplane by means of tubing that runs through the aircraft. Hydraulic power may be reconverted to mechanical power by means of an actuating cylinder, or turbine. As we know primary control surfaces of aircrafts are controlled by hydraulics, therefore a failure of both or all engines can cause complete loss of control of the aircraft. Every control system on an aircraft has its own hydraulic system; therefore failure of one component would not affect others. Aircraft still manages to fly even with one engine failure, as the remaining engine can still provide power to the hydraulic system. On modern Aircrafts a small centrifugal engine called Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is placed at the rear of the aircraft, preferably at the tail. This small engine is responsible of starting of the main engines in case of failure doing the flight, also providing electricity to the hydraulic systems ( if electrically driven ) and also provides air pressurization to maintain cabin comfort at all times . Engines on aircraft do the same job as APU by providing power and air pressurization, Therefore, and only in cases of all engine failures including the APU (if an aircraft has one), shall a small rotor call Ram Air Turbine ‘RAT’ be automatically be deployed from under the aircraft’s belly (on most aircrafts) and exposed to the air to provide emergency power to the hydraulic systems and other components. RAT is a small wind turbine with 2 blades, when exposed to the air with speed shall its blades rotate and generate power for the hydraulic systems. The power RAT generates electricity is dependent on the speed of the aircraft, the slower the speed the less power it generates and vice versa. In an event of failure of engine , and deployment

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