5.

Avionics ventilation
Figure 5. Simplified avionics cooling schematic

Ventilation of the avionics is primarily provided by two fans, one acting

as a blower, the other as an extractor. Control is provided by the Avionics
Equipment Ventilation Computer (AEVC). The system's normal modes
are:
Close-circuit
Used when skin temperature is low. The skin exchange outlet
bypass, inlet bypass and isolation valves (shown in blue
in Figure 5, Simplified avionics cooling schematic) are open
and all other valves are closed. This leads to air being drawn
from the avionics bay and exhausted into the underfloor of the
cargo bay, with a return loop via the skin heat exchanger.
Intermediate
Used in flight when skin temperature is high. This is similar to
close-circuit except the skin air extract valve is partially
opened to allow some air to exhaust overboard.
Open-circuit

Used for ground operations (oleo compressed, thrust below

TO) with a high skin temperature. In this mode only the skin
air inlet and extract valves (shown in red in Figure 5,
Simplified avionics cooling schematic) are open, meaning air
from outside the aircraft is moved across the avionics
equipment and then exhausted externally.
The skin temperature thresholds are different for flight and ground cases
and incorporate a dead band to prevent rapid mode switching. The
bands are 9C to 12C on the ground and 32C to 35C in flight.
Cooling of the cockpit panels is provided by drawing air conditioned air
from the cockpit over the panels in all modes.
Figure 6. Avionics ventilation controls

If a fault occurs with one of the fans, a FAULT light will illuminate on the
associated button (Figure 6, Avionics ventilation controls (1)). The
BLOWER FAULT light is also used to indicate a duct overheat. Selecting
OVRD puts the system in closed-circuit configuration and opens the air
conditioning inlet valve so that air conditioned air assists with the
cooling. If the BLOWER button is in OVRD, the blower fan is stopped. If
the EXTRACT button is in OVRD, the extract fan is controlled directly
from the pushbutton and both fans continue to run. {TODO: There
appears to be a conflict between the text and the diagram with regards
to the action of the skin exchange inlet bypass valve when EXTRACT is in
OVRD. The diagram essentially indicates air con as sole intake and no
exhaust!}
A smoke detector is situated immediately upstream of the extract fan. If
smoke is detected both FAULT lights come on. Selecting OVRD on both
buttons puts the system in smoke removal mode. This is similar to opencircuit except the intake air is provided by the air-conditioning rather
than from outside the aircraft and the blower fan is stopped.