Ground runup enclosure and method for testing aircraft engines
OwnerMarkus Hessinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for testing a jet aircraft engine at a time when an actual wind direction differs from a prevailing wind direction. The method is conducted in a ground runup enclosure (GRE), typically comprising a rear wall, a pair of side walls attached to the rear walls and an open front side opposite the rear wall, the front side facing in a prevailing wind direction. The method comprises moving the aircraft into the GRE, aligning the aircraft so that the air inlet of its engine faces the actual wind direction, and running the engine up to full power to test its condition. The method of the present invention permits the GRE to be used under a variety of unfavourable wind conditions, thereby improving its usability.
Claims18
A method for testing an engine of a jet aircraft in a ground runup enclosure at a time when an actual wind direction differs from a prevailing wind direction, said jet aircraft having an elongate body defining an aircraft axis and said engine having an air inlet and an exhaust outlet aligned substantially parallel to said aircraft axis, said ground runup enclosure having a rear wall, a pair of side walls attached to the rear wall and an open front side opposite said rear wall, said method comprising:
- (a) moving said jet aircraft into said ground runup enclosure;
- (b) aligning said jet aircraft with the aircraft axis substantially parallel to the actual wind direction and with the air inlet of said engine facing said actual wind direction;
- and
- (c) running said engine up to full power to test its condition.
A ground runup enclosure, comprising:
- (a) a rear wall;
- (b) a pair of side walls, each of which is connected to said rear wall at an oblique angle;
- and
- (c) an open front, said rear walls, side wails and open front together forming a generally U-shaped enclosure having sufficient width and depth to enclose a jet aircraft and with the open front being of sufficient width to permit said jet aircraft to enter said U-shaped enclosure;
- wherein said side walls and said rear wall each have an inner face sloped downwardly and inwardly so as to form an oblique angle with the ground and are constructed so as to withstand a blast from a jet engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.