CLOSED LOOP BLEED AIR DRIVEN CYCLE FOR ON-BOARD OXYGEN GENERATING SYSTEMS

THIS PROJECT ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SUPPLY OF OXYGEN ON BOARD COMBAT AND TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT. THE PROPOSED EFFORT SPECIFICALLY INVOLVES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CLOSED LOOP BLEED AIR DRIVEN CYCLE FOR A HYBRID OXYGEN SYSTEM FOR ON-BOARD OXYGEN GENERATION AND STORAGE. A CLOSED LOOP CYCLE HAS THE ADVANTAGE OVER OPEN-LOOP CYCLES OF REDUCING OR ELIMINATING MOISTURE, CO2 AND OTHER CONTAMINANT BUILDUP IN THE PROCESS HEAT EXCHANGER AND OTHER COLD COMPONENTS. IN PHASE I, THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF THE CYCLE AND INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS WILL BE ESTABLISHED. THE KEY ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDE THE CYCLE PERFORMANCE AND THE ROBUSTNESS OF THE GAS BEARING SYSTEM IN THE TURBOCOMPRESSOR OVER THE RANGE OF ANTICIPATED OPERATION.