Abstract: A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine employs a first seal forming an oil chamber around a bearing. The first seal is configured to maintain the oil chamber at a first pressure. A second seal forms a ventilating cavity around the oil chamber. The second seal is configured to maintain the ventilating cavity at a second pressure, the second pressure being less than the first pressure and less than an ambient pressure of a primary flow path in the engine. A pressure reducing device is coupled to the ventilating cavity. The pressure reducing device is configured to maintain the second pressure.

Abstract: An airflow control system for use in a vehicle is provided. The airflow control system includes a manifold and a recirculation duct in flow communication with the manifold. The recirculation duct includes a fan and a recirculation valve. The system additionally includes a ventilation duct coupled in flow communication with the recirculation duct between the fan and the recirculation valve. The ventilation duct is in flow communication with an ambient environment surrounding the vehicle and includes at least one ventilation valve.

Abstract: A diverter duct for a ventilation system includes a main body defining an inner surface, a first portion including an inlet, a second portion located downstream of the first portion, a third portion including an outlet, an opening located between the first portion and the third portion, and an air deflector positioned within the main body downstream of the first portion to deflect a portion of the air from the inlet of the main body towards the opening. A first contoured section is formed in the first portion of the main body. The first contoured section may direct air received from the inlet towards the opening at a first operating condition. A method of installing the diverter duct includes coupling the inlet with an upstream fan, and coupling the outlet with an outlet fan, such that selective operation of the inlet and outlet fans cause vary airflow though the outlet or the opening.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a gas turbine engine employs a first seal forming an oil chamber around a bearing. The first seal is configured to maintain the oil chamber at a first pressure. A second seal forms a ventilating cavity around the oil chamber. The second seal is configured to maintain the ventilating cavity at a second pressure, the second pressure being less than the first pressure and less than an ambient pressure of a primary flow path in the engine. A pressure reducing device is coupled to the ventilating cavity. The pressure reducing device is configured to maintain the second pressure.

Abstract: A diverter duct for a ventilation system is disclosed. The diverter duct includes a main body defining an inner surface, a first portion including an inlet, a second portion located downstream of the first portion, a third portion including an outlet, and an opening located between the first portion and the third portion. The diverter duct also includes a first contoured section formed in the first portion of the main body. The inner surface of the main body at the first contoured section may be configured to direct air received from the inlet towards the opening at a first operating condition. The diverter duct also includes an air deflector positioned along the inner surface of the main body downstream of the first portion to deflect a portion of the air received from the inlet of the main body towards the opening at the first operating condition.

Abstract: An airflow control system for use in a vehicle is provided. The airflow control system includes a manifold and a recirculation duct in flow communication with the manifold. The recirculation duct includes a fan and a recirculation valve. The system additionally includes a ventilation duct coupled in flow communication with the recirculation duct between the fan and the recirculation valve. The ventilation duct is in flow communication with an ambient environment surrounding the vehicle and includes at least one ventilation valve.

Abstract: A humidification system and method particularly well adapted for use in commercial aircraft to provide substantially micro-organism free humidified air within a passenger cabin of the aircraft. The system employs a vessel for holding a quantity of water therein. The vessel is disposed within a microwave oven which is used to heat the water within the vessel to the boiling point such that steam is generated therefrom. This steam is directed into an airflow duct and used to humidify an airflow being supplied into a cabin area of the aircraft. The steam is substantially micro-organism free. A controller is used to cycle the filling and draining of the vessel to achieve a desired humidity level for the airflow. Optimally, a vacuum accumulator is employed to assist in rapid draining of the water from the vessel.

Abstract: Passenger cabin ventilation air outlets located in the cabin ceiling blow air downward toward the passengers. An outlet for this location utilizes a series of high velocity jets exiting from a narrow ceiling nozzle to entrain cabin air to form a broad slow moving single jet. Three rows of slots are utilized, the outer rows to initially produce a wide air jet, and the center row to draw the outer jets back together outside of the nozzle. The center jets coalesce the outer jets into a slower moving total air stream.