Ram Air Turbine 737: A Key Component in Aircraft Safety

The Ram Air Turbine 737 is a critical component in aircraft safety, designed to provide power during emergency situations.

It's a compact, lightweight device that can be automatically deployed in case of an engine failure or other emergency.

The turbine is powered by the air flowing over the aircraft's surface, generating up to 20 kilowatts of electricity.

This power is used to charge the aircraft's batteries, which in turn power essential systems such as the flight controls and communication equipment.

The Ram Air Turbine 737 is a redundant system, meaning it can take over in case of a primary power source failure, ensuring the aircraft remains controllable.

Additional reading: Ram Air Turbine

A Ram Air Turbine, or RAT, is a clever device that provides aircraft with alternate or emergency power. It uses the airstream to generate power, which is a pretty cool concept.

The RAT is designed to kick in when the aircraft's main power sources are unavailable, and it's typically used for hydraulic or electrical power. This is a crucial feature for commercial aircraft, which is why you'll often see large RATs on them.

The size of the RAT affects its power output, with larger ones capable of producing up to 70 kW of power. This is a significant amount of power, especially considering it's generated from the airstream.

The 737 Ram Air Turbine System is a remarkable backup power source. It's connected to an electrical generator or a hydraulic pump and uses the airstream to generate power by ram pressure from the aircraft's speed.

At higher speeds, more power is generated, while lower speeds produce less power. This is a crucial aspect of the system's functionality.

In an emergency situation where both primary and secondary power sources are lost, the RAM air turbine is used to power the aircraft's crucial systems. This can include flight controls, instruments, and aircraft hydraulic systems.

Some types of RAM air turbines only produce hydraulic power, which is then used to power generators. This is a key consideration for aircraft operators and maintenance personnel.

Check this out: Ram Air Turbine Schematic

In the event of an emergency, the RAT on a 737 aircraft generates power from the airstream due to the speed of the aircraft.

The RAT produces power by activating a hydraulic pump or electric generator, which provides energy to vital systems.

Only vital systems, such as navigation, flight-critical instrumentation, and communication equipment, are energized by the RAT due to the limited amount of energy it can obtain.

The RAT is usually found on the fuselage of a 737 aircraft, and sometimes under the wing.

In normal conditions, the RAT is retracted into the fuselage, and is deployed manually or automatically following complete loss of power.

Batteries are used in the time between power loss and RAT deployment to provide temporary power to essential systems.

The RAT is designed to provide power to flight control systems, linked hydraulics, and flight-critical instrumentation in case of an emergency.

In some cases, the RAT may produce only hydraulic power, which is then used to power electrical generators.

Ram air turbines are a crucial component in many commercial airliners, including the Boeing 737. They're used to provide emergency power in case of engine failure.

The Airbus A380 has the largest RAT in the world, with a diameter of 1.63 meters. This massive turbine is capable of producing up to 70 kW of power.

RATs have been used to power centrifugal pumps on crop dusters, allowing them to deliver liquid agents to cropland without modifying the engine or power systems. This is a major safety advantage.

Here are some notable civilian incidents involving RAT deployment:

The Airbus A320 and 737 are two of the most popular commercial aircraft in the world, but they have some key differences.

The A320 is powered by a single-engine configuration, whereas the 737 has a two-engine configuration.

One of the main differences between the two aircraft is their design, with the A320 having a more aerodynamic shape and the 737 having a more robust build.

The 737 has a longer fuselage than the A320, which allows for more passenger capacity.

Related reading: Engine and Generator

In the Airbus A320 and A330, the Emergency Electrical (EMER ELEC) Configuration is a serious emergency situation. The aircraft loses AC BUS 1 and 2, which are normally supplied by electrical generators on engine number 1 and 2 respectively.

The RAT will deploy automatically to supply hydraulic power to the emergency generator (EMER GEN). The emergency generator will supply electrical power to essential systems via the AC and DC ESS BUS.

A MAYDAY should be declared to ATC using appropriate phraseology. Prolonged flight in this configuration is not recommended.

The available systems are much reduced, and the Autopilot and Flight Director (AP/FD) are lost. The auto thrust (ATHR) is also lost, so the crew will have to manually fly the aircraft.

The majority of the screens are lost, and the crew will have to rely on the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) for a summary of the remaining available systems.

The Airbus A320 has a Ram Air Turbine (RAT) that can be deployed manually or automatically in the event of a dual engine failure or serious electrical problem. It supplies electrical power to the essential busses, which provide equipment needed to land the aircraft.

The RAT deploys automatically at an airspeed greater than 100 knots, and it can supply power to the aircraft even when it's slow. This means the approach is flown at a minimum speed of 140kts until landing is assured.

As the aircraft slows, the RAT will stay extended until it reaches 125kts, at which point it will no longer supply power to the emergency generator.