High particle separation efficiency system

#The present invention relates generally to aeronautical vehicle systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for separating particles from an induced fluid within an aeronautical vehicle engine.

#During operation of an aeronautical vehicle, fluids are forced into an engine and are used to generate energy to propel the vehicle. The fluids may contain undesirable particles, such as sand and dust, which can cause degradation of engine components. In order to prevent the degradation of engine components, the undesirable particles are separated from the fluids using an inertial inlet particle separator.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, a quarter cross-sectional view of a traditional inertial inlet particle separator 10 is shown. The separator 10 includes a duct system 12 having a scavenge channel 14 that forms an in-line fluid path with a fluid inlet 18, represented by arrow 16, and a clean intake channel 20 that branches off from the in-line fluid path 16. The duct system 12 is divided via a splitter 22 to form the scavenge channel 14 and the clean intake channel 20. A clean intake channel opening 24 is defined by the splitter 22 on a first side 26 and a hub 28 on a second side 30.

#For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should now be had to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying figures and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a quarter cross-sectional view of a traditional inertial inlet particle separator;

#FIG. 2 is a side view of an aeronautical vehicle having a turboshaft engine that utilizes an inertial inlet particle separator system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

#In each of the following figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components. While the present invention is described with respect to a method and apparatus for separating particles from an induced fluid within an aeronautical vehicle engine, the present invention may be adapted to be used in various systems including: automotive vehicle systems, control systems, aeronautical vehicle systems, or other applications requiring the separation of particles within a fluid. The aeronautical vehicle systems may include: a turboshaft engine, a turbine engine, or a turboprop engine. The aeronautical vehicles may include helicopters, planes, or aircraft having fixed wing or tilt wing configurations or tilt rotor configurations.

#In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one constructed embodiment. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting.

#Also, in the following description the terms “contaminated fluid” and “clean fluid” are terms used to distinguish between a fluid that is relatively dirty as compared to another fluid that is relatively clean. The present invention separates an induced fluid into a contaminated fluid and a clean fluid. The contaminated fluid has larger particles, a larger number of particles, or a combination thereof as compared to the clean fluid.