PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA

MAINTENANCE MANUAL
MANUAL PART NO. 3015442

PART 1 - DESCRIPTION OF ENGINE

SECTION 5 - AIR SYSTEMS

1. GENERAL

A. The engine has three separate air bleed systems: a compressor air bleed control, a
bearing compartment air seal and bleed system and a turbine disk cooling system. A
fourth system is available as an optional source of high-pressure air for use in operating

case is provided for external connections.

2. COMPRESSOR BLEED VALVE

A. The compressor bleed valve automatically opens a port in the gas generator case to
spill interstage compressor air (P2.5), thereby providing antistall characteristics at low
engine speeds (less than 80% Ng). The port closes gradually as high engine speeds are
attained.

B. The compressor bleed valve consisting of a piston type valve in a ported housing, is

bolts. The piston assembly is supported in the bore of the housing and is guided by a
seal support plate, guidepin and a guidepin bolt, which holds the piston assembly together.
A rolling diaphragm permits the piston full travel in either direction, to open or close
the port, while at the same time effectively sealing the compartment at the top of the piston.

interstage air (P2.5) to the bottom of the bleed valve piston. (See Figure 1-5-1).

C. Compressor delivery air (P3) is tapped off and applied to the bleed valve through a

bleed valve piston, so that when Px is greater than P2.5, the bleed valve closes. In the
closed position, the interstage air port is sealed by the seal support plate which is
forced against its seat by the action of Px. Conversely, when Px is less than P2.5, the
bleed valve opens and allows interstage air (P2.5) to be discharged to atmosphere. The
piston is prevented from closing off the Px feed line to the upper section of the valve
chamber and from damaging the piston assembly by the stop formed by the hexagon of
the guidepin, which is screwed into the valve cover, and the hexagon of the piston
guidepin bolt.

3. BEARING COMPARTMENT SEALS, TURBINE COOLING AND AIR BLEED SYSTEMS

A. Engine air pressure is utilized to seal the 1st, 2nd and 3rd bearing compartments and
also to cool both the compressor and the power turbines (see Figure 1-5-2). The air
pressure is used in conjunction with air seals which establish and control the required
pressure gradients. The air seals used on the engine consist of a series of stationary
expansion chambers (labyrinths) formed by deep annular grooves machined in the bore
of a circular seal. The clearance between the rotating and stationary parts is kept as
small as possible consistent with mechanical safety.

Page 1-5-1
Feb 01/2002
 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
MANUAL PART NO. 3015442

DISCHARGE AIR

FIXED ORIFICE

PRESSURE TO TOP
OF PISTON

AMBIENT
PRESSURE

FINAL ORIFICE

CENTRAL GUIDE PIN

ROLLING
DIAPHRAGM BODY

PISTON
DISCHARGE TO
ATMOSPHERE
OUTER GUIDE

INTERSTAGE AIR
GAS GENERATOR CASE (P2.5)

C829

Compressor Bleed Valve - Schematic

Figure 1-5-1

Page 1-5-2
Feb 01/2002