B787-9 CAC (cabin air compressor) SYSTEMS|THECURIOBOY|

THE CAC SYSTEM (CABIN AIR COMPRESSOR). THIS SYSTEM IS INCREDIBLY COMPLEX BUT AT THE SAME TIME SIMPLE. IT TAKES THE SAME IDEOLOGY FROM THE CONVENTIONAL BLEED AIR AND TURNS IT INTO ELECTRICAL POWER. THIS SYSTEM IS AN INCREDIBLE POWER HOG AND CAN DRAW A LOT OF POWER FROM THE AIRCRAFT ITSELF. BUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE VERY IMPORTANT. EVERYTHING FROM AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT SUBSYSTEMS, LIQUID COOLING SYSTEMS, CABIN PRESSURIZATION, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT COOLING BAY IS PART OF ITS FUNCTIONS.

IT STILL WORKS IN A CONVENTIONAL WAY OF A REGULAR AIR CONDITIONING PACK VIA AIR
CYCLE MACHINES AND HEAT EXCHANGERS. BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS NOW IT’S RAN BY ELECTRICITY, HENCE THE ELECTRIC DRIVEN AIR COMPRESSORS. THERE ARE ACTUALLY FOUR OF THEM, FOR REDUNDANCY.

WHAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU IS ONE OF THESE COMPONENTS, THE ACM (AIR CYCLE MACHINE), AND IT IS BEING REPLACED. THE UNIT ITSELF IS QUITE HEAVY(AROUND 150 LBS) AND AWKWARD, HENCE THE JACK AND RIGGING EQUIPMENT.
WHEN WE LOOK INTO THE CAVITY OF THE BELLY YOU NOTICE ALL THE DUCTS ARE INSULATED AS WELL FOR PROPER TEMPERATURE CONDUCTIVITY. IT’S QUITE AND INTRICATE SYSTEM AND IT TIES INTO MANY OTHERS AS WELL.