Mixing bleed and ram air using an air cycle machine with two turbines
View Patent ↗An air cycle machine for an environmental control system for an aircraft is provided. The air cycle machine includes a compressor configured to compress a first medium, a turbine configured to receive second medium, a mixing point downstream of the compressor and downstream of the turbine; and a shaft mechanically coupling the compressor and the turbine.
1. An air cycle machine for an environmental control system for an aircraft, the air cycle machine comprising:
a compressor configured to compress a first medium;
a turbine configured to receive second medium;
a mixing point downstream of the compressor and downstream of the turbine; and
a shaft mechanically coupling the compressor and the turbine;
a second turbine mounted on the shaft and configured to expand the first medium,
wherein the environmental control system comprises a fan driven by a third turbine driven by the second medium.
2. The air cycle machine of claim 1 , further comprising the fan on a second shaft.
3. The air cycle machine of claim 2 , wherein the fan is located at a first end of the second shaft.
4. The air cycle machine of claim 1 , wherein the third turbine is located at the first end of a second shaft.
5. The air cycle machine of claim 1 , wherein the second turbine is configured to receive a third medium, and
wherein the third medium is cabin discharge air.
6. The air cycle machine of claim 1 , wherein the first medium comprises fresh air, and
wherein the second medium comprises bleed air.
7. An air conditioning system for an aircraft comprising:
a compressor configured to compress a first medium;
a turbine configured to receive a second medium;
a mixing point downstream of the compressor and downstream of the turbine;
a shaft mechanically coupling the compressor and the turbine;
a second turbine mounted on the shaft and configured to expand the first medium; and
a fan driven by a third turbine driven by the second medium.
8. The air conditioning system of claim 7 , further comprising an integral rotor comprising the third turbine and the fan.
9. The air conditioning system of claim 7 , further comprising a second shaft mechanically coupling the fan and the third turbine.
10. The air conditioning system of claim 7 , wherein the second turbine is configured to receive a third medium, and
wherein the third medium is cabin discharge air.
11. The air conditioning system of claim 7 , further comprising a second shaft mechanically coupling the fan and the third turbine.
12. The air conditioning system of claim 7 , wherein the second turbine is configured to receive a third medium, and
wherein the third medium is cabin discharge air.