Overview
Fixed-wing aircraft use engine bleed air systems or compressed air to create pressurized air. No matter the source of the air, the goal is to keep pneumatic systems operating properly and not impeded by contamination introduced or created by system operation.
Donaldson aircraft pneumatic components (filters and assemblies) are backed by decades of experience in filtration system design and development. And with AS9100 certification, we have the technical ability to produce high-quality certified aircraft pneumatic components.
Features
Most aircraft pneumatic systems use engine bleed air systems. The compressed and hot air from the engine is used to perform pressurized tasks or to keep systems de-iced (e.g., the wing lead edge or engine inlets). Bleed air can also be used for other purposes such as fuel tank inerting systems.
Donaldson aircraft pneumatic components can help prevent contaminants from bleed air (or compressed air) from affecting pneumatic system performance. We offer the expertise and flexibility to build filters that meet the needs of OE, system integrator and aftermarket applications.
Pneumatic System Filtration Assemblies
We partner with OEMs and system integrators around the world to design, develop and certify manifolds and related filtration components in assemblies that help manage the conditioning of bleed air or compressed air in pneumatic systems.
One of our assemblies, the Donaldson pressure unit air (PUA), developed for the A-330 and A-340, uses three different air sources:
- Bleed air from the auxiliary power unit (APU) when the aircraft is on the ground
- Compressed air while the aircraft is at the gate
- Primary engine bleed air when the aircraft is in flight
The primary engine bleed air is used in a variety of pneumatic systems, including for operating anti-icing valves, pressurizing hydraulic resources and potable water, and providing air to actuate valves.
The PUA assembly helps ensure that when demand is taken on at the reservoir, there is continuous flow to the hydraulic pumps. The PUA assembly keeps air in the reservoir pressurized, allowing for consistent fluid flow regardless of fluid volume. This Donaldson PUA strategy (head, bowl, filter cartridges) can be applied across multiple platforms and has a manifold with bowls.
Pneumatic System Filters
Donaldson has more than a century of experience in filtration design and development. This includes strainers and screens that need to meet pressure, temperature, and durability requirements, as well as media-based filters. We offer filters for contamination (coarse mesh filters or screens) and water (water or demisting filters), like those in the PUA assembly described above.
