APU stands for Auxiliary Power Unit, which is a device or system that provides secondary power to various functions in vehicles, aircraft, and other equipment. The primary function of an APU is to supply power when the main power source is unavailable or insufficient.
In the context of aircraft, an APU is a compact turbine engine located at the rear of the plane. It is used to power the aircraft's electrical systems, air conditioning, and other auxiliaries when the main engines are not running, such as during ground operations, taxiing, or when on standby. APUs also provide pneumatic power for engine starting and cabin pressurization.
In the automotive industry, an APU is a term commonly used to refer to Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) powertrains. An APU in a hybrid vehicle combines a conventional internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery system. This combination allows the vehicle to operate using both power sources, maximizing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
Furthermore, APU can also refer to an Accelerated Processing Unit, which is a type of computer processor developed by AMD. An APU combines a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU) on a single chip, providing enhanced graphical capabilities and computational power.
In summary, an APU is an auxiliary power unit that supplies secondary power to various functions in vehicles, aircraft, and computing devices. It can serve as an independent power source or complement the primary power system when needed.
