What are the primary components of an air-cycle cooling system?

The primary components of an air-cycle cooling system are essential for understanding how this system operates to provide cooling in aircraft. The correct choice includes the compressor, expansion turbine, heat exchangers, and valves.

The compressor plays a vital role in pressurizing the air, which raises its temperature and pressure; this process initiates the cooling cycle. Once the air is compressed, it passes through heat exchangers, which are designed to dissipate the heat from the compressed air. This occurs before the air enters the expansion turbine, where it expands rapidly, resulting in a significant drop in temperature. Heat exchangers further cool the air by transferring heat away, while the valves control the flow of air through the system, ensuring that the correct amount is processed in each component.

This combination of components allows the system to effectively utilize the principles of thermodynamics to achieve efficient cooling. Understanding these components is crucial for diagnosing and maintaining air-cycle cooling systems in aircraft. The correct structure of this option reflects how these parts work together in achieving the cooling effect needed in the aircraft environment.