초록 ▼

An air generation unit includes first and second air cycle machines (ACMs), each having first and second turbines. A manifold is arranged between the first and second ACMs and is in fluid communciation with each of the first and second turbines of the first and second ACMs. A condenser is arranged

An air generation unit includes first and second air cycle machines (ACMs), each having first and second turbines. A manifold is arranged between the first and second ACMs and is in fluid communciation with each of the first and second turbines of the first and second ACMs. A condenser is arranged between the ACMs and is in fluid communication with the manifold. First and second valves are disposed within the manifold and control flow of air between the turbines and the condenser. An actuator is assembly is connected to the valves for moving the valves between a plurality of positions. The valves selectively close off or prevent the flow of air from the turbines of one of the ACMs in the event that the ACM is not needed or malfunctions.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An air generation unit comprising: first and second air cycle machines each having first and second turbines; a manifold in fluid communication with said first and second turbines of said first and second air cycle machines; a condenser in fluid communication with said mani

What is claimed is: 1. An air generation unit comprising: first and second air cycle machines each having first and second turbines; a manifold in fluid communication with said first and second turbines of said first and second air cycle machines; a condenser in fluid communication with said manifold; first and second valves disposed within said manifold controlling flow of air between said turbines and said condenser; and an actuator assembly connected to said valves for moving said valves between a plurality of positions. 2. The unit according to claim 1, wherein said manifold includes a pair of opposing first passages fluidly connected at a first intersection with each of said first passages fluidly connected to one of said first turbines, and said manifold including a pair of opposing second passages fluidly connected at a second intersection with each of said second passages fluidly connected to one of said second turbines, said first and second valves respectively arranged at said first and second intersections. 3. The unit according to claim 2, wherein said manifold includes a condenser inlet passage in fluid communication with said first intersection, and said manifold includes a condenser outlet passage in fluid communication with said second intersection, said first passages fluidly connected to outlets of said first turbines, and said second passages fluidly connected to inlets of said second turbines. 4. The unit according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of positions includes a first position fluidly connecting said turbines of said first and second air cycle machines to said condenser, a second position fluidly connecting said first air cycle machine turbines to said condenser and blocking said second air cycle machine turbines from said condenser, and a third position fluidly connecting said second air cycle machine turbines to said condenser and blocking said first air cycle machine turbines from said condenser. 5. A manifold for an air generation unit comprising: a manifold having opposing first passages and opposing second passages, said manifold including a condenser inlet passage in fluid communication with said opposing first passages forming a first intersection therewith, and a condenser outlet passage in fluid communication with said opposing second passages forming a second intersection therewith; first and second valves disposed within said manifold respectively arranged in said first and second intersections; and an actuator assembly connected to said valves for moving said valves between a plurality of positions for controlling flow of air between said passages. 6. The manifold according to claim 5, wherein said valves are supported by a common shaft with said actuator assembly coupled to said shaft. 7. The manifold according to claim 6, wherein said actuator assembly includes an electric stepper motor driving said shaft. 8. The manifold according to claim 7, wherein a gear train is interconnected between said stepper motor and said shaft to provide increased torque to said shaft. 9. A manifold for an air generation unit comprising: a manifold having opposing first passages and opposing second passages, said manifold including a condenser inlet passage in fluid communication with said opposing first passages forming a first intersection therewith, and a condenser outlet passage in fluid communication with said opposing second passages forming a second intersection therewith; first and second valves disposed within said manifold respectively arranged in said first and second intersections; an actuator assembly connected to said valves for moving said valves between a plurality of positions for controlling flow of air between said passages, wherein said valves are supported by a common shaft with said actuator assembly coupled to said shaft; and a rotationally variable displacement transducer coupled to said shaft for detecting an angular position of said shaft. 10. The manifold according to claim 6, wherein an end of said shaft extends from a housing permitting manual adjustment of said valves between said positions. 11. A manifold for an air generation unit comprising: a manifold having opposing first passages and opposing second passages, said manifold including a condenser inlet passage in fluid communication with said opposing first passages forming a first intersection therewith, and a condenser outlet passage in fluid communication with said opposing second passages forming a second intersection therewith; first and second valves disposed within said manifold respectively arranged in said first and second intersections; an actuator assembly connected to said valves for moving said valves between a plurality of positions for controlling flow of air between said passages; and wherein said opposing first passages include opposing first turbine outlets and said opposing second passages include opposing second turbine inlets, said manifold having a first side including one of said first turbine outlets and one of said second turbine inlets, and a second side including the other of said first turbine outlets and the other of said second turbine inlets. 12. The manifold according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of positions includes a first position fluidly connecting first and second sides to said condenser, a second position fluidly connecting said first side to said condenser and blocking said second side from said condenser, and a third position fluidly connecting said second side to said condenser and blocking said first side from said condenser. 13. The manifold according to claim 12, wherein said first and second positions are angularly spaced from one another approximately 45 degrees, and said first and third positions are angularly spaced from one another approximately 45 degrees.