Air cycle machine with interstage venting

摘要

An air cycle machine (10) having a plurality of wheels mounted on a common shaft (20) for rotation therewith about a longitudinal axis (12), including a compressor rotor (60) and a turbine rotor (50) mounted to a central portion (20c) of the shaft in back to back relationship, the turbine rotor (50) being operative to extract energy from a flow of compressed air for driving the shaft (20), and the compressor rotor (60), in rotation about the axis. An annular disc-like member (14) is disposed coaxially about the shaft (20) and extends radially outwardly between the turbine rotor (50) and the compressor rotor (60). A venting and sealing assembly (210, 220, 230) is operatively disposed between the shaft (20) and the annular member (14) intermediate the turbine rotor (50) and the compressor rotor (60) whereby a limited flow of compressor outlet air and a limited flow of turbine inlet air are vented to a low pressure region other than the turbine air flow circuit.