A new generation of e-APUs

from Noelle 60 to e-APU

Bernard BLANC

Nicolas PIRO

Jean-Franois RIDEAU

Technical Department
MICROTURBO , SAFRAN Group
TOULOUSE, FRANCE

Abstract For more than fifty years, Microturbo has designed,

developed, manufactured and supported small gas turbines
supplying mechanical, pneumatic or electrical power to both
military and civil airborne applications. From the early Noelle
family, where the air turbine starter was integrated in the
turbojet inlet nose, to the Saphir Auxiliary Power Unit family,
Microturbos successful experience has paved the way for the
development of a new generation APU, based on reliable and
robust high pressure ratio architecture.
The e-APU family, launched end of 2007, perfectly fits the
requirement of more electrical aircraft and proposes an electrical
power output never achieved for this size of APU.
This new generation of APU, designed for demanding new
business jets and helicopters, takes advantage of Safran
experience and proven technologies on turboshaft and turbofan
engines, gathered for the first time in a small gas turbine. The
choice of these technologies was made to comply with the ever
increasing performance requirements (power/weight ratio,
compacity, fuel consumption, reliability) and low possession cost
(acquisition cost, direct maintenance cost).
This paper presents the background of existing MICROTURBO
APUs, the development of the e-APU family and the key
features of the chosen architecture.

I.

event of failure of an electrical generator. This is its safety

characteristic.
The More Electrical Aircraft is becoming a reality
which implicates to redefine APU concept and functions. The
e-APU family, launched end of 2007, perfectly fits the
requirement of more electrical airborne equipments and
proposes an electrical power output never achieved for this size
of APU.
II.

MICROTURBO STARTING SYSTEMS AND APU UNITS IN

SERVICE

Microturbo has a complete range of low power starting

systems for military and some civil applications designed for
fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.
A. Microturbo Starting Systems in service
Depending on the architecture of the aircraft, power is
transmitted to the engine using either a mechanical or a
pneumatic energy (Fig.1). Microturbo designs and
manufactures a wide range of starting systems, mainly
composed of two families.

STARTING SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE

INTRODUCTION
Mechanical power

The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is an auxiliary source of

power installed on airborne or ground vehicles. The power
provided is permanently available whatever the location of the
vehicle, conveying complete autonomy to the user and
ensuring full completion of a mission. This is its main function
and its mission reliability characteristic.
The APU is a fuel-efficient auxiliary power source.
On ground, during mission preparation, or momentary
interruption of it, use of the unit avoids running the vehicle
main engines. This potentially increases mission range and
extends the time interval between maintenance and overhaul of
the engines. As the APU delivers power to the control and
maintenance systems the vehicle is totally independent of the
ground service facilities. This is its economic characteristic.
The APU is also an emergency power source used in
extreme situations such as main engine flame-out or in the

Mechanical power

Compressed air

APU
1 / lecture Rev1 - Nicolas PIRO - october 2011
This document and the information therein are the property of Turbomeca, They must not be copied or communicated to a third party without the prior written authorization of Turbomeca.

Figure 1. Starting Systems Architecture.

1) Mechanical Starting Systems

MICROTURBO was founded in 1961 with the studies and
the development of the NOELLE 60, a mechanical starter for
the SNECMA ATAR engine, powering the MIRAGE III
military aircraft.
The 60 SHP-rated starter transmits shaft power to the
engine AGB through a shaft linked to an axial power turbine.
The turbine is driven by the exhaust gases of a gas generator
comprising a centrifugal compressor, a reverse combustion can
and a HP turbine.
This simple gas turbine starter (GTS), exclusively dedicated
to main engine starting and occasionally to engine cranking,
had relatively reduced dimensions and weight so that it can be
forgotten during flight. This model was the first of a gas
turbine starter family constructed on the same mechanical
power transmission principle, in the same dimensions and the
same weight, but with constantly increasing power and
reliability characteristics.
The latest model, the NOELLE 180 is installed on the
SNECMA M53 engine, powering the MIRAGE 2000 aircraft.
This unit is rated at 180 shp.

B. Microturbo APU in service

Following aircraft systems development, the Auxiliary
Power Unit (APU) has evolved to provide compressed air and
electrical or mechanical power, in addition of the original
function of aircraft starting (Fig.2)

APU ARCHITECTURE
Compressed Air 4bar
Mech Pw

Compressed Air 4bar

Mech Pw

Mech Pw
Mech Pw

Compressed Air 4bar

Increased pressure ratio 8

0/
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Figure 2. APU Architecture.

The main parameters impacting fuel consumption,

compressor pressure ratio and GG Turbine inlet temperature,
are relatively modest to avoid excessive technical and
technological complexity for a gas turbine starter for which the
only function is to supply power in the smallest possible
volume. The time-limited use of the unit does not impact the
fuel consumption of the aircraft.

1) SAPHIR 2,4,6
In the mid-60's, working in collaboration with aircraft
manufacturer DASSAULT AVIATION, MICROTURBO
studied and manufactured APU for the FALCON 20 aircraft.

2) Pneumatic Starting Systems

In the late 60's, early 70's, MICROTURBO developed a
second generation of engine starters, separate from air
generator.

SAPHIR 2,4,6 was built around a modular conception as a

function of required power and nature of use. It comprises
basically an air producer with a centrifugal compressor, a
reverse combustion can, one or two axial turbines, supplying
compressed air and driving two electrical generators, one DC
and/or one AC.

The engine starting power is obtained using the expansion

of compressed air across a turbine coupled through a free
wheel to the main engine gearbox. The compressed air is
delivered by a remote air producer located in a dedicated
volume in the aircraft.

2) SAPHIR 10
The Saphir 10 is an evolution of pneumatic starting System
HAWK 047 to improve the function of APU by delivering
electric power and bleed air for environmental control System
and electric power. It is used on HAWK 200 Trainer Aircraft.

The best examples of this MICROTURBO engine starting

system are incontestably the JAGUAR 007 and HAWK 047
models designed to start the ROLLS-ROYCE/TURBOMECA
ADOUR engine powering the JAGUAR (SEPECAT) twin
engine aircraft and the HAWK (BAe) and T45 GOSHAWK
(BOEING) single engine aircraft.

3) RUBIS 3
Faced with a demand from an aircraft manufacturer for an
APU delivering 5 bar in standard conditions on ground, with
reduced size and weight compatible with the available aircraft
space, to be used for main engine starting and ECS supply,
MICROTURBO designed, developed and produced the
RUBIS3 APU. This unit is a one-shaft, gas turbine with a
centrifugal compressor and two axial turbines rated to deliver
air for combustion and bleed air to an air starter and other
consumers.

The compressed air delivered by the air producer is used for

main engine ground and in-flight starting, engine cranking on
ground and may also be used to ensure certain equipment
services when the main engines are stopped.
Note also that this compressed air engine starting system is
not as powerful as mechanical starting through direct link to
the engine or through an AGB.

This APU is used on the twin-engine RAFALE

(DASSAULT AVIATION) fighter aircraft powered by two
M88 (SNECMA) engines. The APU is used to start the engines
and deliver compressed air for the air-conditioning system
(ECS) of the aircraft.

4) SAPHIR 20
The SAPHIR 20 has been designed for various
applications. The latest is the SAPHIR 20 APU with a
centrifugal compressor, reverse combustion can and centripetal
turbine designed to deliver bleed air from the compressor and
shaft power through its gearbox. This APU is used on the ECF
civil and military helicopter MK2 Super Puma and Canadair
CL415.
5) SAPHIR 100
Based on the vast experience gained by MICROTURBO in
the domain of APU design for various applications, it was
decided at the beginning of the 90's to work on a APU able to
adapt to applications requiring pneumatic and/or mechanical
output.

STARTING & SPECIAL SYSTEMS

SU PPLIES

MODEL
Ra ted Output Power (k W)

Air Flow (kg/s)

3 9 kW
(5 3 shp)

A TS-32 3

0 .4 15 k g/s
(5 5 ppm)

3 9 kW
(5 3 shp)

0.4 3 kg/s
(5 7 ppm )

ATS-M

1 18 k W
(16 0 shp)

0 .9 k g/s
(1 19 ppm)

ATS-3 0 5

1 26 k W
(1 71 s hp)

ATS- 34 6

1.1 k g/s
(14 6 ppm )

1 30 k W
(1 7 6 s hp)

A TS -33 4

1 00 k W
(1 35 s hp)

ATS -33 7

H awk 1 00 & 20 0
BAE Sys tems

Adour - Turbome ca / R olls-R oyc e

F12 4 - Honey we ll

EJ 20 0 - Eurojet

M88 - Sne cm a

0.4 4 kg/s
(5 8 ppm)

TP40 0 - E PI

0 .2 8 kg/s
(3 7 ppm)

Sa M14 6 - P owe rJ et

M - 34 6 Alenia Aerma cc hi

Eurof ighter Ty phoon

R afa le - D as sa ult Avia tion

A4 00 M - Military Airbus

Superjet 10 0 - S uk ho

SUPPLIES (N /A = N on Applica ble )

MOD EL

S2 0 -G

Elec trica l Power

A ir C onditionning

10 k W - 2 8 Vdc /30 k VA - 40 0 Hz

N/A

Approxima tely 9 0,0 00 m3 of s moke in

le ss tha n 3 mns

SG1 8

APPLIC ATION
Engine Starting

N/A

A PPLICATION

Armoured Ve hic le

Sm ok e gene ra tor

1 /

The SAPHIR 100, delivering essentially shaft power

through its gearbox, with in parallel a small amount of
pneumatic power was developed. The mechanical power can
drive a load compressor or can provide electrical assistance for
main engine starting, the power being delivered by an APUdriven alternator fitted on the helicopter accessory gearbox.
The SAPHIR 100 APU is used on NH90 Helicopter.

Th si d ocu m en t a nd the in form a tio n th erein are th e pro pe rty of Tu rbo m ec a, The y m u st n ot be c o pi e d o r c om m un i ca ted to a thi rd party w ti h ou t th e pr o
i r w ri tten au tho ri zati on of Turbo m e c a .

Figure 4. Microturbo Starting Systems.

Power Systems & Starting Systems applications

Composition of systems :
Star ting system
Auxiliar y Power Unit (APU)

Air starter
Associated valves

6) OPALE 3
The Opale 3 APU is an adaptation of the RUBI3 APU to
comply with the needs of Trainer Aircraft AERMACCHI M346
Fig 3, 4 and 5 summarize Microturbo Starting Systems,
Auxiliary Power Units and associated applications.

Ci vil aircr aft

Trainer aircraft

POWER SYSTEMS
Helicopters
MODEL

SUPPLIES
Mec hanica l Power (k W)

Ele ctric al Powe r

(N /A = Non Applic able)

Air Flow (k g/s )
Engine Sta rting

APPLICATION

Military air craft

9 / C OM PANY PR ES EN T A TI ON Sales & Ma rke tin g Dep ar tm en t 10 -2 01 2

Th si d ocu m en t a nd the in form a tio n th erein are th e pro pe rty of M i c ro turbo , Th ey m us t n ot b e c op ie d o r c o m m u nic ated to a th ird pa rty wi tho ut th e p ri or w ritt e n au tho riz a ti o n of M i c ro turbo.

(kW, kVA)
Sa phir 2 / 4 / 6

Sa phir 1 0

S aphir 2 0

Saphir 1 0 0

N/A

9 kW

0,2 4 kg/s
(3 2 ppm )

E le ctr ic al
a ss is tanc e

N /A

12 k W

0 ,4 kg/s
(53 ppm)

Adour Mk 8 71
Tur bomec a/Rolls-Roy ce

0,1 kg/s
(1 3 ppm )

Ele ctric al
a ssist ance

N /A

0 ,1 k g/s
(13 ppm)

N/A

6 k VA

0,9 k g/s
(11 9 ppm)

M8 8
S ne cma

N/A

13 5 kW
(1 83 shp)

R ubis 3

N/A

Opa le 3

N /A

e-AP U6 0

Av ailable

3 0 kW

5 kW

15 t o 12 0 k W

Falcon 20
Das sault Av ia tion
H awk 2 00
BAE System s

EC72 5 Super Pum a

Eurocopter
NH9 0
NH Industries
Rafa le
Das sault Av ia tion

0,9 k g/s
(11 9 ppm )

F1 2 4
Honey we ll

M - 346
Alenia Ae rma cchi

N/A

Ele ctr ica l

a ss is tanc e

Busine ss je ts
AW149 AW18 9
Agus ta Wes tla nd

0 /
Th is d ocu m en t a nd the in form a tio n th erein are th e pro pe rty of Tu rbo m ec a, The y m u st n ot be c o pi e d o r c om m un i ca ted to a thi rd party w ith ou t th e pr io r w ri tten au tho ri zati on of Turbo m e c a .

Figure 3. Microturbo Auxiliary Power Systems.

Figure 5. APU and Starting Systems application.

III.

E-APU FAMILY

On classic aircraft architectures, the APU generates

pneumatic and electric power. More Electric aircraft
architecture only requires electrical power generation.
Microturbo is developing the e-APU Family (Electrical
Auxiliary Power Unit) designed to meet the specific needs of
New Generation Aircraft and helicopter, particularly a higher
demand for electrical power.
The More Electrical Aircraft is becoming a reality, The
aircraft evolution to more electric concepts implicates an APU
function evolution as showed in Fig 6 and Fig 7.

Conventional
Avionics
Fuel pumps
Cabin light ing
Entertainment
El. Warfare (mil)
Engine start
ECS &
pressurization
De-Icing
Brakes
Flight controls
Landing gears
Tail rotor (H/C)

More Electric
Aircraft)

Main engines re-starting (additional redundancy)

Electrical Anti / De-icing

Electric components power supply (degraded mode

with power cut)

Additional functions plus electric components supply

for ETOPS operation, if needed.

These functions imply a large modification of the APU

internal and external architecture, starting with the suppression
of the bleed function, and the use of Starter/Generator electrical
machine.
The e-APU is a bleedless APU. It provides mainly
mechanical or electrical power.

MEA / AEA NEEDS VS PRESENT APU LIMITATIONS

(bleed architecture))

All Electric
Aircraft)

The overall sizing process had to be reviewed and adapted

opening the way to new optimization capabilities.
The advantages of removal bleed air supply are (Fig 8):

Electric Power

Pneumatic
Power

Hydraulic
Power
Mechanic Power

Better performance of Gas Generator architecture (

higher Pressure ratio, not limited by bleed requirement)

Increased Hot Parts life: Turbine inlet temperature

decrease due to the global higher efficiency of the
electrical power supply (hot section parts life increase)

Simplified APU architecture (deletion of bleed air port,

sealing rings and bleed valve).

Power on demand for the equipment (FMP)

33 /
Th is d ocu m en t a nd the in form a tio n th erein are th e pro pe rty of Tu rbo m ec a, The y m u st n ot be c o pi e d o r c om m un i ca ted to a thi rd party w ith ou t th e pr io r w ri tten au tho ri zati on of Turbo m e c a .

Figure 6. APU function evolution.

The e-APUTM breakthrough : Essential & Versatile
A cascade of benefits

FROM STANDARD BLEED TO ALL ELECTRIC ARCHITECT URES

Specific power

High pressure
ratio cycle

Compactness

Hydraulic S yste m
B atte ries
Ma in Engines
A ir Conditionning
S yst em
Engine Sta rting

In Flight
Entertainme nt
B lee d Air S yste m
Distribution

APU

Elec tric Sys tem

Distribution

Main Engine
Load reduction

Av ionics Ra dio
Lights

Ice Protec tion

Gr ound P owe r
Sourc e

Winds hie ld
Protec tion

A ir Conditionning
S yst em

Ice Protec tion

Ste ering / Brak ing

Sys tem

Optimized
Turbine Inlet
Temperature

B atte ries
Ma in Engines

Engine Sta rting

Hydraulic S yste m

All-Electric
Power System

NEW
Elec tric Sy stem
Distribution

APU

Gr ound P owe r
Sourc e
CONS IS TANT AR CH ITECTURE AP PROACH WITH MUTUALIZATION POTENTIA L

Bleed pipings
suppression

FMP accuracy
& intelligent
control system

Avionic s
Lights
Winds hie ld
Protec tion

Specific Fuel
Consumption
Reduced
DMC / DOC

Extended ECU
Functions

In Flight
Entertainme nt
S TA ND AR D
Elec tric Sys tem
Distribution

State-of-the-Art
Fir-tree blades

Composite
airframe
environment
Health & Usage
Monitoring
High Altitude
Reliable Start

42 /
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6 /
Th is d ocu m en t a nd the in form a tio n th erein are th e pro pe rty of Tu rbo m ec a, The y m u st n ot be c o pi e d o r c om m un i ca ted to a thi rd party w ith ou t th e pr io r w ri tten au tho ri zati on of Turbo m e c a .

Figure 7. function evolution from bleed to all electrical architecture.

Potential functions provided on ground (up to 15 kft

altitude):

Main engines starting (electrical start)

ECS supply (VCS or electric ECS)

Electric components power supply (avionics, IFE,)

Potential functions provided in flight (over 15 kft altitude)

Figure 8.

e-APU optimization capabilities.

The family e-APU is consisting of two products with

essential certification:

e-APU60 : 15 to 60 kWe for 28 VDC or 115VAC

applications, for light jets to super mid-size, using
APU mainly for ground operation typical 28 VDC
architecture, benefiting from batteries and VCS
technologies recent improvements.

e-APU 1XX : 60 to 1XX kWe for 115VAC and

higher voltage applications, for super mid-size aircraft

class and above, using APU for most aircraft electric

requirements ( electric ECS, anti-icing).

Deletion of Bleed Air port, sealing rings

and related bleed value

Due to the versatility concept of the Gearbox, the System

configurations based on e-APU can be as follows (Fig 9):

No part is expected to be below 12,000

cycles, LLPs life will be assessed upon
definition of the reference mission cycle

e-APU - SYSTEM

VERSATILE CONFIGURATIONS

e-APU 1XX
for
All Electrical
A/C

Single or Dual S/G for

- E-Environmental Control
System
- E-Main Engine Start
- E-Anti-Icing

Low acoustic Gas Generator

Electric Power Output Growth Potential based on

e-APU

Integration Optimization

Regulation Setting

configuration
can evolve
1 S/G 28 VDC or 115 VAC for
- E-Main Engine Start
- E-VCS

with aircraft
optmization

e-APU Family
60 to 1XX

e-APU 60
for
More Electrical
A/C

1 S/G 28 VDC for E-Main

Engine Start + 1 Pad for
Mechanical VCS

and new

One of the benefits of the e-APU architecture is a better

power/weight ratio compared to bleed APU as stated in Fig 10.

applications

1 S/G 28V DC for A/C network

+
1 S/G 115 VAC for E-Main
Engine Start and / or VCS

Dry Weight versus Power at Sea level,15C, Average new APU, Redline EGT

Current Production Bleed APU

Trend line

17 /
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Figure 9.

27%

e-APU Family: versatility of gearbox

The e-APU Family fulfils the highest requirements in terms

of performance, availability, reliability and flexibility since it is
proposed with a versatile gearbox.

e-APU1XX

)g
k(
t
h
gi
e
W
yr
D

10%

e-APU60

The e-APU key objectives of the e-APU Family are:

Reliability increase

Life cycle Cost decrease

Power weight ratio increase

Operational envelope increase

Fuel consumption decrease

Emissions decrease

Maintenance on condition

Thermodynamic power (kW) ( Sea Level, Isa)

Figure 10. APU Dry weight vs Power

These two e-APUs are currently at various stages in

development at Microturbo: the e-APU60 is completing its
certification test campaign, the e-APU1XX being at a more
preliminary stage.
The main milestones in the e-APU family development are
shown on Fig 11.
e-APU DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES

The e-APU key Concepts for the design are:

Compact architecture / High

components with proven technologies

efficiency

Dec 2008

Nov 2008
2007

o
o
o

Higher P/P ratio (from 4 to 8), high

surge margin compressor
2-stage / high speed / low diameter axial
turbine

2006
e-APU
Project
feasibility
study

e-APU
Program
Line and
Product
Family
redefined

e-APU60
First
Selection

e-APU60
Demo
Unit first
rotation

2013
e-APU60
2012
2011

2009
MT involved
into multiple
international
projects to
define
electrical
APU new
roles

All electric fuel system for maximum

operating flexibility

Low Life cycle cost

Agusta
announced
e-APU
selection for
AW149 &
AW189
e-APU first
deliveries

8/

Moderate turbine inlet temperature

This document and the information therein are the property of Turbomeca, They must not be copied or communicated to a third party without the prior written authorization of Turbomeca.

Figure 11. e-APU Development milestones

Onwards
e-APU with
More
Electrical
Aircraft
Project to
define future
specifications
e-APU1XX

Certification

e-APU60 DIRECT INTERFACES

e-APU 60
e-APU60 has been designed to provide 60kWe up to

15,000 ft, to operate up to 51,000 ft with an APU starting

envelope up to 41,000 ft.
1) e-APU 60 DemonstratorUnit
The first version of e-APU 60 , Demonstrator unit (Fig 12)
is equipped with a dual-pad gearbox and features 28VDC
starter-generator delivering 15kWe of electrical power, plus a
115 VAC/ 400Hz alternator unit delivering 45 kWe of
electrical power, prefiguring the versatility of the end product
that will be available to customers.

Generic configuration :

Electronic Control Unit :

full authority on :
engine speed control,
communication,
monitoring,
maintenance.

Electrically monitored
lubrication system

Air
Inlet

e-APU System

28VDC 15 kW Starter / Generator

(S/G)
115V 400Hz 45 kW Generator

Electrical Network

A.

115 VAC 400Hz Electrical

Generation

Electrical
Generation

Exhaust Gaz
28 VDC Electrical Generation

Electrical
Starter
Generator

e-APU
Core Engine

Lubrication
Avionic Syst.
(ARINC 429)

Electronic
Control Unit
(ECU)

Ignition

Electrical Ignition
with 2 igniters plugs
Power Source 28
VDC

Fuel System

Fuel Inlet

"More electrical"
fuel system
Fuel Metering Pump
(FMP)
Shutdown Valve
(3WSV)

Cockpit and
APU bay
Displays and
Controls
(examples)

24 /
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e-APU60 MAJOR COMPONENTS OVERVIEW

2 pads Gear Box

Speed Sensor

Starter/Generator
28Vdc 15kW

Fuel Injectors

Figure 13. e-APU Development milestones

a) Gas Generator (Fig. 14)

The gas generator is a bleed less type architecture with a
high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor made of titanium.

Air inlet

Exhaust Duct

e-APU60 GAS GENERATOR

Ignition plug
Generator
400Hz - 45kW

Fuel metering pump

Fuel Flow Divider

Side Hoisting points

18 /
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Figure 12. e-APU 60 Demonstrator ( double-pad version) overview

The e-APU 60 prototype consists mainly of :

a Gas Generator

a Gearbox and associated equipments

a starter-generator
SGCU

an alternator 115V, 400Hz, 45 kVA and its associated

GCU

an ECU Electronic Engine Control Unit and dedicated

harness

a fuel circuit

an ignition box

28V, 500A and its associated

e-APU60 design benefits from Safran Group Experiences

and Technologies
The e-APU60 system with its interfaces is presented in
Fig13.

27 / CONFIDENTIEL / DATE / DIRECTION

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Figure 14. e-APU60 Gas Generator architecture overview

The gas generator has been designed with proven

technologies (Fig 15):

an air/oil separator and associated interface on the

gearbox casing for the tubing,

an interface and flange for the installation of the gas

generator on the gearbox.

e-APU60 PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES APPLIED

Centrifugal compressor design with latest efficient CFD tools

Safran/
Turbomeca
recognized
expertise in
world most
efficient
compressors

Reverse Flow specific High Altitude combustor chamber

Dual turbine wheel with optimized fir tree blades

Safran /
Snecma
expertise for
main engines
efficient
combustors
Safran/
Turbomeca /
Snecma
expertise in
hot sections
designs

15 /
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c) Fuel System
The APU fuel system design is based on its extreme
simplicity and low number of components for high reliability
oriented reasons.
The APU fuel system consists of :

A fuel Filter Unit including a LP Filter and by-pass

valve and fuel filter pre-clogging switch indicator,

A Fuel Metering Pump Fig 16. (more electrical

technology) composed of :

Figure 15. e-APU60 Gas Generator proven technologie

a 8VDC brushless motor, fuel cooled

The compressor speed and blades have been chosen to

minimize APU noise. It is designed with latest efficient CFD
tools.

a fuel pump driven by the electrical motor

Integrated fuel cooled power electronics and

controller

An annular combustion chamber is designed with an high

altitude starting capability (up to 41,000ft)
Two stages-axial turbine with attached blades is selected to
provide high efficiency for the high expansion ratio and to
maximize reliability and life cycle cost. The fir tree attachment
blades slots for the first and second stages are machined on the
same disk for cost reduction.
Full rotor containment is obtained using an impeller cover
made of Inconel for the centrifugal compressor and an Inconel
ring for the axial turbines.
b) GearBox
The gearbox main functions are:

To transmit mechanical power to Gas generator

when driven by the starter

To supply mechanical power to generator pad.

To encompass the lubrication system for bearings

and gears lubrication and cooling.

The Gearbox consists of :

Figure 16. e-APU 60 Fuel Metering Pump

A flow divider block, including the main injector valve

and the purge valves, to select the simplex nozzles
manifold during lighting phases and to drain both
manifolds while shutdown.

Drains from the combustion chamber, the exhaust duct,

the injectors and the fuel metering unit are collected
and can be directed to the ecological tank .

The APU fuel system includes a fuel heating system

based on an oil / fuel heat exchanger to improve
operating capability with ice fuel mixture.

an high speed input shaft to drive the APU gearbox

from the APU gas generator,

an APU gearbox casing and associated gear trains,

an integrated oil tank

d) Oil System
The APU oil system consists of :

a Starter-Generator pad and output shaft seal,

A pressure pump implemented in the Gearbox,

a Generator pad (12,000 rpm), associated gear trains

and output shaft seal,

A dynamic air/oil separator implemented in the

Gearbox,

a gear train lubrication system,

a refilling cap and port (with level check system),

An Oil filter Unit including a filter, a bypass valve and

an oil filter switch indicator,

Oil supply equipments such as a de-oiling Valve, a

pressure relief valve for maintaining the pressure at a
fixed value,

power in ground and in flight in case of failure. The e-APU60

will ensure the electrical start-up of the engines and supply
power for the electrical systems.

Oil/air heat exchanger

Thanks to its versatility concept, a new gearbox was

designed to fit with the new requirements.

e) APU control system

All operating phases of the APU are controlled and
monitored by a Digital type Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
The main functions of the ECU are:

sequencing of all accessories activated from start

command to APU full speed, taking into account all
constraints related to the APU itself

regulation of gas generator shaft speed through APU

speed control,

surveillance of certain APU parameters (EGT, Ng and

low oil pressure),

Built In Test (BIT),

Reporting failure messages using two ARINC429 data

link

The ECU has been designed to comply with DO254 for the
Hardware and DO178 DAL A for the software. This very high
level of design assurance permits to comply with high safety
requirements.
f) Performance
The e-APU 60 can generate 60 kWe up to 15,000 ft.
Maximum electrical Power available in the operating
envelope is show on Fig 17:

This new gearbox consists of two pad gearbox (Fig 18):

One pad for a 28V DC Starter

One pad for a 25kVA 115V 400Hz Generator

Figure 18. e-APU60 serial configuration

Up to now, 14 units have been built, 7 for development and

APU certification tests and seven units for customers.
The flight tests campaign are on going with satisfying
results.
The certification tests are on going as scheduled. EASA
certification of e-APU60 is expected in April 2013.

MAX ELECTRICAL POWER OUTPUT

Max Operating
capability 51,000 ft

Max Starting
Capability 41,000 ft

Aero Design Point

18 /
This document and the information therein are the property of Turbomeca, They must not be copied or communicated to a third party without the prior written authorization of Turbomeca.

Figure 17. e-APU60 Maximum electrical power in the operating envelope

2) e-APU60 serial Unit

e-APU60 was selected by Agusta Westland to be installed

on helicopter AW149 and AW189 to provide mainly electrical

e-APU1XX

B.

To be able to provide more electrical power for more

electrical business jet a new e-APU is under design, the
e-APU1XX.

One resulting Aircraft Architecture could be a shared use of

Power Electronics for e-APU, E-ECS and Main Engine
Starter/Generator as shown in Fig 20.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS COUPLING

Fig 19 shows the positioning of e-APU60 and e-APU1XX

on Bizjets and Helicopters Market.

e-APU / electrical ECS / SG coupling

e-ECS

Engine1
S/G

e-APU Family on Bizjets and Helicopter Market

No APU

S/G

E-APU

APU

Wing
De-icing

SGCU

S/G

Battery

Engine 2
BIZJETS

Very Light
Jets

Light Jets

Mid-size

Equivalent < 15 PAX

Super Midsize

Large

~ 15 to 30 PAX

~ 30 to 40 PAX

Super
Large

Corporate

~ 40 to 60 PAX

60 PAX & +

29 /
This document and the information therein are the property of Turbomeca, They must not be copied or communicated to a third party without the prior written authorization of Turbomeca.

Figure 20. Electrical Systems Coupling

HELICOPTERES

Helicoptres

Helicoptres

> 7 Tonnes

>20 Tonnes

32 /
This document and the information therein are the property of Turbomeca, They must not be copied or communicated to a third party without the prior written authorization of Turbomeca.

Figure 19. e-APU Family potential market

This e-APU should be able to provide more than 130 kVA

up to 15,000 ft, to operate up to 51,000 ft with an APU starting
envelope up to 45,000 ft, for ETOPS requirement. Il will be
used on ground and in flight in case of failure of main
generation system and/or need for Main engine relight.

e-APU1XX will be certified according to TSO-C77/CSAPU category 1 essential APU.

The e-APU1XX will use the same proved technologies as
e-APU60.
It will be equipped preferably with a Starter/Generator. The
use of Starter/generator as on Main Engine would allow shared
use of the Power Electronics in order to optimize the weight of
the More Electrical Aircraft.

C. Conclusion
The e-APU Family paves the way to new markets from
more electrical aircraft to all electrical aircraft.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author wishes to acknowledge all the Microturbo
colleagues involved in the e-APU development

REFERENCES
[1]

[2]

N.Hirtz, C.Mischel. AGARD Conference Proceedings 537

Microturbos experience in the field of APU for civil and military
applications and our role in the face of the challenges of the future
P.E.Bardel, C.Mischel. AAAF. On board Energetic Equipment 2004
Avignon Oct 2004: Technology Evolution in airborne auxiliary power
units using past and present to drive towards the future.