Deployable inlet assembly for aerial vehicle

An inlet assembly for an aerial vehicle having an air-breathing propulsion system, the inlet assembly comprising:

• a first flap pivotably coupled to a housing of the aerial vehicle, the first flap having a downstream end;
• a first scoop pivotably coupled to the housing about a hinge, the first scoop having an upstream end, the first scoop located aft of the first flap, the first scoop configured to direct air into the air-breathing propulsion system;
• and
• an inlet actuator configured to transition the first flap and the first scoop between a stowed position and a deployed position,
• wherein the downstream end of the first flap is longitudinally spaced from the upstream end of the first scoop when the first scoop is disposed in the stowed and deployed positions,
• wherein, when the first flap and the first scoop are in the deployed position, the first flap and the first scoop are configured to compress the air flowing into the first scoop, by pivoting the downstream end of the first flap to project radially outward from the outer surface of the housing and by pivoting the upstream end of the first scoop to project radially outward from the outer surface of the housing, and
• wherein, when the first flap and the first scoop are in the stowed position, the first flap and an outer surface of the first scoop are in registration with or below the housing.

A method for operating an inlet assembly of an aerial vehicle having a housing supporting an air-breathing propulsion system, the housing defining a longitudinal axis, the inlet assembly having a scoop and a flap each pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the scoop having an upstream end, and the flap having a downstream end disposed upstream of, and longitudinally spaced from, the upstream end of the scoop when the scoop is disposed in the stowed and deployed positions, the method comprising:

• maintaining the scoop and the flap in the stowed position wherein the scoop and the flap are aligned with the housing to prevent air from entering the propulsion system;
• enabling, via an inlet actuator, the scoop and the flap to transition to the deployed position;
• transitioning the scoop and the flap from the stowed position to the deployed position wherein the scoop and the flap project from the outer surface of the housing;
• and
• directing air over the flap and through the scoop into a fluid channel in fluid communication with the scoop and the air-breathing propulsion system.