Gas turbine engine with integrated air cycle machine

Abstract

A gas turbine engine includes: a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine arranged in sequential flow relationship along a primary flowpath, the turbine being connected in mechanical driving relationship to the compressor, so as to define at least one engine rotor that is rotatable about a centerline axis of the engine; a secondary flowpath connected in flow communication with the primary flowpath; and an air cycle machine including an air cycle rotor carrying an at least one air cycle compressor and at least one air cycle expander, wherein: the air cycle rotor is coupled in mechanical driving relationship with the at least one engine rotor; the air cycle rotor is coupled in fluid flow communication with the secondary flowpath; and the air cycle rotor is coupled in fluid flow communication with at least one heat exchanger.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A gas turbine engine, comprising:
 a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine arranged in sequential flow relationship along a primary flowpath, the turbine being connected in mechanical driving relationship to the compressor, so as to define at least one engine rotor that is rotatable about a centerline axis of the engine;   a secondary flowpath connected in flow communication with the primary flowpath; and   an air cycle machine including an air cycle rotor including an at least one air cycle compressor and at least one air cycle expander, wherein:
 the air cycle rotor is coupled in mechanical driving relationship with the at least one engine rotor; 
 the air cycle rotor is in fluid flow communication with the secondary flowpath; and 
 the air cycle rotor is in fluid flow communication with at least one heat exchanger; 
   a spinner; and   a center body disposed axially aft of the turbine, wherein the air cycle rotor is positioned within the spinner or within the center body.   
     
     
         2 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the secondary flowpath is positioned inboard of the primary flowpath, relative to the centerline axis. 
     
     
         3 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the air cycle rotor is positioned inboard of the primary flowpath of the engine, relative to the centerline axis. 
     
     
         4 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the air cycle rotor is directly mechanically coupled to the at least one engine rotor. 
     
     
         5 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the air cycle rotor is coupled to the at least one engine rotor through at least one stage of gearing or a clutch. 
     
     
         6 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the engine includes a diffuser positioned downstream of the compressor, and the heat exchanger is formed integrally with the diffuser. 
     
     
         7 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein a casing surrounds at least one of the compressor, the combustor, and the turbine, and the heat exchanger is positioned outside the casing. 
     
     
         8 . The engine of  claim 7  further comprising a nacelle surrounding the casing, wherein the heat exchanger is positioned outside the nacelle. 
     
     
         9 . A gas turbine engine, comprising:
 a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine arranged in sequential flow relationship along a primary flowpath, the turbine being connected in mechanical driving relationship to the compressor, so as to define at least one engine rotor that is rotatable about a centerline axis of the engine;   a secondary flowpath connected in flow communication with the primary flowpath; and   an air cycle machine including an air cycle rotor including an at least one air cycle compressor and at least one air cycle expander, wherein:
 the air cycle rotor is coupled in mechanical driving relationship with the at least one engine rotor; 
 the air cycle rotor is in fluid flow communication with the secondary flowpath; 
 the air cycle rotor is in fluid flow communication with at least one heat exchanger; and 
 the air cycle rotor is coupled to the at least one engine rotor through at least one stage of gearing. 
   
     
     
         10 . The engine of  claim 9  wherein the secondary flowpath is positioned inboard of the primary flowpath, relative to the centerline axis. 
     
     
         11 . The engine of  claim 9  wherein a casing defines a portion of the primary flowpath and the air cycle rotor is positioned inside the casing. 
     
     
         12 . The engine of  claim 9  wherein the air cycle rotor is positioned inboard of the primary flowpath of the engine, relative to the centerline axis. 
     
     
         13 . The engine of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a spinner; and   a center body disposed axially aft of the turbine, wherein the air cycle rotor is positioned within the spinner or within the center body.   
     
     
         14 . The engine of  claim 9  wherein the engine includes an aft centerbody and the air cycle rotor is positioned within the aft centerbody. 
     
     
         15 . The engine of  claim 9  wherein the engine includes a diffuser positioned downstream of the compressor, and the heat exchanger is formed integrally with the diffuser. 
     
     
         16 . The engine of  claim 9  wherein a casing surrounds at least one of the compressor, the combustor, and the turbine, and the heat exchanger is positioned outside the casing. 
     
     
         17 . A gas turbine engine, comprising:
 a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine arranged in sequential flow relationship along a primary flowpath, the turbine being connected in mechanical driving relationship to the compressor, so as to define at least one engine rotor that is rotatable about a centerline axis of the engine;   a secondary flowpath connected in flow communication with the primary flowpath; and   an air cycle machine including an air cycle rotor including an at least one air cycle compressor and at least one air cycle expander, wherein:
 the air cycle rotor is coupled in mechanical driving relationship with the at least one engine rotor; 
 the air cycle rotor is in fluid flow communication with the secondary flowpath; 
 the air cycle rotor is in fluid flow communication with at least one heat exchanger; and 
 the air cycle rotor is coupled to the at least one engine rotor through a clutch. 
   
     
     
         18 . The engine of  claim 17  wherein the secondary flowpath is positioned inboard of the primary flowpath, relative to the centerline axis. 
     
     
         19 . The engine of  claim 17  wherein the air cycle rotor is positioned inboard of the primary flowpath of the engine, relative to the centerline axis. 
     
     
         20 . The engine of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a spinner; and   a center body disposed axially aft of the turbine, wherein the air cycle rotor is positioned within the spinner or within the center body.