Additively manufactured gas turbine engine and ventilator

Abstract

A gas turbine engine with a rotor comprising a turbine and compressor, mounted in a housing surrounding the rotor. The rotor rotates on one or more hydro bearings, the profiles of the outer surface of the rotor and the inner surface of the housing generating the hydro bearing(s). A combustion chamber is formed within the housing, and the combustion products of the fuel/air mixture are directed from the combustion chamber to the turbine. The housing and rotor are formed by an additive manufacturing process in a single procedure, with the rotor enclosed within the housing, and unsupported by any mechanical connections. A gas turbine respiratory ventilator system is described using a compressed oxygen flow to power the turbine which rotates the centrifugal blower for generating the air flow for respiration of the patient. The oxygen exhausted from the turbine can then be used to supplement the air flow.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.