# US 12,180,851 B2 · Engine inlet cover detection system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,180,851 B2 - Document ID: US12180851B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/248,020 - Filed: 2021-01-05 - Published: 2024-08-08 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-30 - Assignees: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation - Applicants: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation - Inventors: Jeffrey Hausmann; Michael Knight - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12180851B2 ## CPC - B64D 33/02: of combustion air intakes - F01D 21/14: responsive to other specific conditions - F01D 17/02: Arrangement of sensing elements - B64D 2033/022: {comprising bird or foreign object protections} - B64D 2045/0085: {Devices for aircraft health monitoring, e.g. monitoring flutter or vibration} - B64F 1/005: {Protective coverings for aircraft not in use} - F05D 2260/85: Starting - F05D 2270/80: Devices generating input signals, e.g. transducers, sensors, cameras or strain gauges - B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract The disclosed embodiments describe cover detection systems, controllers, and aircraft. The aircraft includes the controller and parts of the cover detection systems. A cover detection system includes an engine, a first sensor, a second sensor, an engine cover, and a controller. The engine has moving parts and defines a fluid opening. The fluid opening exposes the moving parts to an ambient environment. The first sensor component is located proximate to the engine and the second sensor component is configured to interact with the first sensor component. The engine cover assembly includes an engine cover and a second sensor. The engine cover is configured to cover the fluid opening. The controller is configured to determine whether the engine cover is installed on the engine based on an interaction between the first sensor component and the second sensor component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cover detection system, comprising: an engine having moving parts and defining a fluid opening, wherein the fluid opening exposes the moving parts to an ambient environment and remains uncovered during operation of the engine; an engine cover configured to cover the fluid opening and to be completely separated from the engine during operation of the engine; and a first sensor component proximate to the engine; a second sensor component configured to interact with the first sensor component based on an installation status of the engine cover; and a controller configured to determine whether the engine cover is installed on the engine based on an interaction between the first sensor component and the second sensor component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cover detection system of claim 1, wherein the second sensor component is associated with the engine cover and is configured to generate a sensor signal indicating the interaction between the first sensor component and the second sensor component, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the engine cover is installed based on the sensor signal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The cover detection system of claim 1, wherein the first sensor component is a transmitter associated with the engine and the second sensor component is a receiver associated with the engine. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cover detection system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter is configured to emit a sensor beam that may be reflected by an object as a reflected beam, and wherein the receiver is configured to receive the reflected beam. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The cover detection system of claim 4, wherein the transmitter emits the sensor beam toward a location where the engine cover is located when the engine cover is installed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The cover detection system of claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the engine cover is installed based on a signal strength of the reflected beam. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The cover detection system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter is configured to emit a sensor beam that travels to the receiver along a path that travels through the engine cover when the engine cover is installed, and wherein the receiver is configured to receive the sensor beam. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The cover detection system of claim 7, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are disposed across from each other on the engine. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The cover detection system of claim 8, wherein the path is a straight line between the transmitter and the receiver. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The cover detection system of claim 7, wherein the engine cover blocks the sensor beam when the engine cover is installed on the engine. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The cover detection system of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether the engine cover is installed based on whether the receiver has received the sensor beam.