Abstract: An improved air conditioning system is provided for an aircraft, particularly with respect to providing an enhanced supply of fresh air to the aircraft cabin or cockpit. The system includes a dual inlet turbine driven at least in part by pressurized bleed air from an aircraft engine, wherein the turbine expands and cools the air preparatory to supply thereof as conditioned air to the aircraft cabin. During relatively low altitude operation, the bleed air flow is supplemented by compressed fresh air discharged from a turbine-driven compressor and supplied to the dual inlet turbine. At relatively higher altitude operation, this fresh air flow is bypassed around the turbine for addition to the bleed air flow at a downstream side of the turbine, and the entire nozzle area of the turbine is opened to the bleed air flow.

Abstract: An environmental control system for ground vehicles and low flying aircraft that supplies purified and conditioned ambient air to the vehicle's crew compartment is provided. The system integrates catalytic and particulate filters, that remove nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare agents from ambient air, with a source of compressed ambient air, and an air cycle refrigeration unit.

Abstract: A turbomachine having a unitary ceramic rotating assembly mounted within a split housing. The rotating assembly includes at least a turbine and integral shaft, the shaft providing a cooled bearing support surface for a fluid film foil bearing.

Abstract: A ceramic shaft machinery element having an incorporated cooled bearing runner surface providing superior support for the ceramic shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling and thermally isolating turbocompressor foil bearings. The bearing journal includes a hollow shaft through which gas is positively circulated to cool the shaft. A slinger at one end of the shaft develops a centrifugal pumping action during operation of the turbocompressor by virtue of a plurality of radially directed gas passages. Pressurized gas may be introduced from the compressor into the interior of the hollow shaft and, after traversing the shaft, returned to the compressor. The invention includes arrangements for protecting the bearing against combustion products which may leak past turbine wheel seals by removing such combustion products before they can reach the bearing.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling and thermally isolating turbocompressor foil bearings. The bearing journal includes a hollow shaft through which gas is positively circulated to cool the shaft. A slinger at one end of the shaft develops a centrifugal pumping action during operation of the turbocompressor by virtue of a plurality of radially directed gas passages. Pressurized gas may be introduced from the compressor into the interior of the hollow shaft and, after traversing the shaft, returned to the compressor. The invention includes arrangements for protecting the bearing against combustion products which may leak past turbine wheel seals by removing such combustion products before they can reach the bearing.