What does the crosswing manifold do?

The crosswing manifold serves as a plenum for bleed air, which is essential in various aircraft systems. The role of a plenum is to distribute pressurized air efficiently, in this case, the bleed air that is extracted from the engines or other parts of the aircraft system. This bleed air is used for various purposes such as cabin pressurization, anti-icing systems, and engine starting. By forming a plenum, the crosswing manifold helps maintain consistent pressure and flow of bleed air to these systems, ensuring their effective operation and contributing to overall aircraft safety and functionality.

In contrast, other options focus on functions that are not typical for a crosswing manifold. For instance, extracting fuel is a role associated with fuel systems, not the crosswing manifold. Regulating the temperature of bleed air may occur elsewhere in the aircraft, typically through dedicated temperature control systems. Lastly, a direct connection to the engine is not a function of the crosswing manifold since it is primarily responsible for the distribution of already extracted bleed air rather than direct connections for fuel or other fluids.