Final answer:
The 10th-stage and 14th-stage engine bleed-air shutoff valves are designed to be spring-loaded to a closed position, ensuring failsafe operation and automatic closure in case of system failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 10th-stage and 14th-stage engine bleed-air shutoff valves (SOVs) are spring-loaded to a closed position. These valves play a critical role in the management of bleed air systems in aircraft engines. The closed position ensures that in the default state, without any applied pressure or electronic control signal, the valves prevent the flow of hot, high-pressure air from the engine's compressor stages into other systems.
Understanding the function of these valves is important for maintaining the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations. The use of spring-loaded valves is a common engineering solution to ensuring failsafe operation in critical systems, such as bleed air regulation. This mechanism allows for automatic closure of the valve in the event of a system failure or shut down.