# US 2014/0190347 A1 · Liquid injection inlet particle separator systems and methods

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0190347 A1
- Document ID: US20140190347A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/734,875
- Filed: 2013-01-04
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-04
- Assignees: Honeywell International Inc.
- Applicants: Honeywell International Inc.
- Inventors: Yates Wong; Eric Blumer; Eduardo Guerra; Yogendra Yogi Sheoran; Zedic Daniel Judd
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190347A1

## CPC

- F02C 7/052: with dust-separation devices
- F01D 25/002: {Cleaning of turbomachines}
- F05D 2260/607: Preventing clogging or obstruction of flow paths by dirt, dust, or foreign particles
- Y02T 50/60: Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
- F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00)
- F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D)
- F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

An inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine includes a separator assembly and a liquid injection system. The separator assembly defines an inlet flow path for receiving inlet air and includes a scavenge flow path and an engine flow path downstream of the inlet flow path. The separator assembly is configured to separate the inlet air into scavenge air and engine air such that the scavenge air is directed from the inlet flow path into the scavenge flow path and the engine air is directed from the inlet flow path into the engine flow path. The liquid injection system is coupled to the separator assembly and configured to introduce a diffused liquid into the inlet air flowing through the separator assembly.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine, comprising:
a separator assembly defining an inlet flow path for receiving inlet air, the separator assembly including a scavenge flow path and an engine flow path downstream of the inlet flow path, the separator assembly configured to separate the inlet air into scavenge air and engine air such that the scavenge air is directed from the inlet flow path into the scavenge flow path and the engine air is directed from the inlet flow path into the engine flow path;
a liquid injection system coupled to the separator assembly and configured to introduce a diffused liquid into the inlet air flowing through the separator assembly.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The inlet particle separator system of claim 1, wherein the liquid injection system includes a nozzle proximate to the inlet configured to introduce the diffused liquid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The inlet particle separator system of claim 2, wherein the liquid injection system further includes a controller for selectively activating or deactivating the liquid injection system.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The inlet particle separator system of claim 1, further comprising a collector assembly coupled to the scavenge flow path and configured to receive the scavenge air.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The inlet particle separator system of claim 4, wherein the collector assembly is at least partially a scroll that surrounds the separator assembly.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The inlet particle separator system of claim 4, wherein the separator assembly further includes a center structure arranged in the inlet flow path downstream of the nozzle and configured to direct the scavenge air into the collector assembly.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The inlet particle separator system of claim 4, further comprising an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) assembly coupled to the separator assembly and configured to direct the scavenge air into the collector assembly.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The inlet particle separator system of claim 7, wherein the EHD assembly comprises a tube and an electrode extending through the tube.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The inlet particle separator system of claim 8, wherein a voltage is applied to the electrode such that particles are directed towards the tube.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The inlet particle separator system of claim 9, wherein the tube includes a collector structure to collect the particles.

### Claim 11

A method for separating particles from inlet air in an inlet particle separator system, the method comprising the steps of:
introducing diffused liquid into the inlet air such that at least some of the particles within the inlet air cluster into clustered particles; and
separating the inlet into scavenge air entering a scavenge flow path and engine air entering an engine flow path, the scavenge air include the clustered particles.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the introducing step includes introducing the diffused liquid into the inlet air with a nozzle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of selectively activating or deactivating the introduction of the diffused liquid.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of collecting the scavenge air with a collector assembly coupled to the scavenge flow path.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the collecting step includes collecting the scavenge air with the collector assembly that is at least partially a scroll that surrounding the separator assembly.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein collecting step includes directing the scavenge air into the collector assembly with a center structure arranged in the inlet flow path.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the collecting step includes directing the scavenge air with an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) assembly.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein directing step includes directing the inlet air through tubes of the EHD assembly such that a charge is applied to particles within the inlet air.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the collecting step further includes collecting the charged particles from the tubes as the scavenge air.

### Claim 20

An inlet particle separator system for a vehicle engine, comprising:
a separator assembly defining an inlet flow path for receiving inlet air, the separator assembly including a scavenge flow path and an engine flow path downstream of the inlet flow path, the separator assembly configured to separate the inlet air into scavenge air and engine air such that the scavenge air is directed from the inlet flow path into the scavenge flow path and the engine air is directed from the inlet flow path into the engine flow path;
a liquid injection system coupled to the separator assembly and comprising a nozzle configured to introduce a diffused liquid into the inlet air flowing through the separator assembly; and
an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) assembly coupled to the separator assembly and configured to direct the scavenge air into the collector assembly.