Variable compression air intakes for aircraft propulsion systems and methods for varying compression of an air intake
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsThomas R. Smith, Matthew J. Roode
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An air intake for an aircraft propulsion system includes a cowl including a longitudinal axis. The air intake includes a compression ramp spaced away from the cowl. The air intake includes an inlet duct formed between the cowl and the compression ramp. The inlet duct defines an inlet airflow path. The compression ramp is non-planar. The compression ramp is movable relative to the cowl to vary compression of the inlet airflow passing through the inlet duct.
Claims20
A variable compression air intake for an aircraft propulsion system, the variable compression air intake comprising:
- a cowl comprising a longitudinal axis;
- a compression ramp spaced away from the cowl;
- and
- an inlet duct formed between the cowl and the compression ramp and defining a path for an inlet airflow,
- wherein:
- the compression ramp is non-planar;
- and
- the compression ramp is movable relative to the cowl to vary compression of the inlet airflow passing through the inlet duct.
A propulsion system for an aircraft, the propulsion system comprising:
- an engine having a central axis;
- a cowl surrounding the engine;
- a compression ramp spaced away from the cowl;
- a diffuser ramp positioned between the compression ramp and the engine and spaced away from the cowl;
- and
- an inlet duct defining a path for an inlet airflow to the engine;
- wherein:
- the compression ramp is non-planar;
- and
- the compression ramp is movable relative to the cowl to vary compression of the inlet airflow passing through the inlet duct.
A method for varying compression of an air intake of an aircraft propulsion system, the method comprising:
- moving a compression ramp relative to a cowl between a low-speed configuration of an inlet duct and a high-speed configuration of the inlet duct, wherein the compression ramp is non-planar and is spaced away from the cowl;
- and
- varying compression of an inlet airflow passing through a throat of the inlet duct, formed between the cowl and the compression ramp, based on movement of the compression ramp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.