Bi-directional ventilation systems for use with aircraft and related methods
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorTimothy L. Skilton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Bi-directional nacelle ventilation and cooling systems for use with aircraft and related methods are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a passageway to fluidly couple an opening formed in a nacelle of an aircraft engine and an engine compartment of the nacelle. The opening provides an inlet into the engine compartment when passive airflow is available to vent or cool the engine compartment and the opening to provide an outlet from the engine compartment when forced air is needed to vent or cool the engine compartment. A fan is positioned in the passageway to provide the forced air when the passive air is unavailable.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a passageway to fluidly couple an opening formed in a nacelle of an aircraft engine and an engine compartment of the nacelle, the opening to provide an inlet into the engine compartment when passive airflow is available to vent or cool the engine compartment and the opening to provide an outlet from the engine compartment when forced air is needed to vent or cool the engine compartment, the passive air to flow through the passageway in a first direction from the opening to the engine compartment;
- and
- a fan positioned in the passageway, the fan to provide the forced air when the passive air is unavailable, the fan to direct the forced air to flow through the passageway in a second direction from the engine compartment to the opening, the first direction being opposite the second direction.
An apparatus comprising:
- an opening formed in a nacelle, the opening to provide an inlet when passive airflow is available to cool or vent an engine compartment in the nacelle and an outlet when forced air is needed to cool or vent the engine compartment in the nacelle;
- a passageway fluidly coupling the opening and the engine compartment;
- and
- a blower assembly interposed in the passageway, the blower assembly defining a first flow path of the passageway through which the passive air is to flow from the opening to the engine compartment and a second flow path of the passageway through which the forced air is to flow from the engine compartment to the opening.
A method comprising:
- venting an engine compartment through an opening of a nacelle via a ventilation passageway in fluid communication with the engine compartment and the opening, the ventilation passageway having a blower system that defines a first path of the ventilation passageway and a second path of the ventilation passageway;
- deactivating the blower when passive air is available to vent or cool the engine compartment to enable the passive air to flow from the opening of the ventilation passageway to the engine compartment in a first direction via the first path;
- and
- activating the blower system when the passive air is unavailable to vent or cool the engine compartment to enable forced air to flow from the engine compartment to the opening of the ventilation passageway in a second direction via the second path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.