I see little triangular indentations on aircraft, often near the undercarriage. Does this mean that air can be directed to a turbine inside the aircraft if necessary? On this Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_air_turbine), I see that it is external.
2006-09-09 18:00:41 · 7 answers · asked by presidentrichardnixon 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Upon closer inspection of those inlets I see that there is a small flap that seems to control the air entering the aircraft. Is that correct, and is there a switch for the pilot to control it?
2006-09-09 18:25:17 · update #1
RAT stands for Ram Air Turbine, it is basically an emergency device if the pilot has lost all generated electrical power from the engines, and in some cases it provides hydraulic pressure too, either directly or through an electric pump.
They are there to basically meet the safety requirements since loss of all electrical power is considered catastrophic in some cases, and there cannot be enough reliability relying on just the engine generators, the probably of both of them failing is very very small, but not small enough to meet the requirements.
The RAT is extended into the airstream only in the emergency .
The RAT on the Global Express buisness jet is beside the nose gear wheel well.
Hope this helps
2006-09-10 04:17:53 · answer #1 · answered by PolarCeltic 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The RAT is usually extended into the slipstream, not located internally. The Boeing 757 has it located above a door aft of the main gear. The door opens and it swings out. The turbine is small (about 10" in or so in diameter) and has two variable pitch blades driving a small hydraulic pump.
The triangular indentations are inlets for cooling air for the air conditioning pack heat exchangers.
2006-09-09 18:13:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
On the CRJ the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is known as an Air Driven Generator (ADG) and is located on the forward right side of the aircraft, with a loss of all A/C power it will drop out automatically or if it fails to do so the pilots have a manual release handle check out these photos
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0191739/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0292918/L/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0606713/L/
2006-09-11 08:10:27 · answer #3 · answered by CRJPILOT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
calkickel is right. I inadvertently clicked the bad rate button and can't find a fix for it. Guess this is another of those cases where Yahoo still has a bug or two. I do wish they would get around to fixing the bar graph, seems we are all being under-reported.
Any way- sorry for clicking the down thumb instead of the up one. Hope you get best answer for this.
2006-09-09 19:31:26 · answer #4 · answered by Dusty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those are air intakes for different purposes, shape was dictated by NASA and NACA studies of 50s and 60s, could be for cooling machines inside.
2006-09-09 18:04:56 · answer #5 · answered by Freddy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depend which aircraft u refer to..A310 R.A.T(ram air turbine)located on right hand side almost near to wing root..and A340/A330..on the right wing..it use for emergency only...B777 also on e right hand side..but in fuselage area after wheel well..the little trianguler..dat u mention..im sure it called R.A.I(ram air inlet...)it for airconditioning purpose..
2006-09-10 05:24:41 · answer #6 · answered by HJ N 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
PLEASE don't rely upon wikipedia for solid information.
It is often wrong due to their using opinion as fact.
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As for the vents near the wheel wells, usually it's for cooling the ambient air inside the well.
2006-09-09 18:09:48 · answer #7 · answered by mnm75932 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋