Author Topic: what is the purpose of a vacuum pump on a aircraft engine?  (Read 552 times)

Offline Skyguns MKII

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what is the purpose of a vacuum pump on a aircraft engine?
« on: November 13, 2013, 05:36:07 PM »
Just a quick question to all of you so I can better understand its function and purpose for aviation use. We only went over it briefly in my AP tech. class and curiosity has taken me over once again.   :P

Offline colmbo

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Re: what is the purpose of a vacuum pump on a aircraft engine?
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2013, 05:45:05 PM »
It provides suction to power the vacuum instruments:  Artificial Horizon, Directional Gyro, Turn and Bank (Needle/Ball).  Those can all be electrically powered as well.  Normally if the AH is suction then the Turn and Bank is electric -- for the sake of redundancy.
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Offline Skyguns MKII

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Re: what is the purpose of a vacuum pump on a aircraft engine?
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2013, 06:14:31 PM »
It provides suction to power the vacuum instruments:  Artificial Horizon, Directional Gyro, Turn and Bank (Needle/Ball).  Those can all be electrically powered as well.  Normally if the AH is suction then the Turn and Bank is electric -- for the sake of redundancy.

thank you sir I can now sleep in peace!

Offline J.A.W.

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Re: what is the purpose of a vacuum pump on a aircraft engine?
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2013, 09:10:50 PM »
Vacuum pumps are also utilized on race-mill crankcases to pull out air volume/reduce power-sapping air churning/improve ring seal..
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