The Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering (UKBTM) has received a patent for a new auxiliary power unit (APU) for military equipment. The development is intended for tanks and vehicles based on them and solves the problem of lack of space and overloading of the engine-transmission compartment.
In modern combat vehicles, the amount of electronics, communications systems, and control systems is constantly growing. A more powerful APU is required to power them.
However, increasing the power of the engine and generator previously led to greater weight and dimensions. Equipment was often mounted on a separate load-bearing frame, which occupied a significant part of the protected compartment.
In the new solution, the internal combustion engine, generator, fan, and radiator were placed on a single axis and combined into a unified frame-free unit. The assembly is attached to the hull through paired brackets and elastic elements, while the radiator was additionally mounted on vibration isolators. This configuration reduces vibrations and preserves the tightness of the communications lines.
The layout made it possible to make the unit more compact and lighter without losing power. At the same time, the APU is placed within the standard armored volume and does not require redesigning the hull.