Guard for jet engine

Abstract

A guard apparatus for the intake of a jet engine includes a generally conically shaped structure that has a plurality of concentric rings of gradually decreasing diameter beginning at a largest ring that affixes to the cowl of the jet engine and progressively smaller diameter concentric rings spaced toward the front end portion of the guard apparatus. The guard apparatus also includes a plurality of longitudinally extended rods each of which forms a structural connection with one or more of the plurality of concentric rings, the rods defining an acute angle with the central longitudinal axis of the guard. Overall, the front end portion of the guard is generally hemispherically shaped defining a generally convex front end portion of the guard apparatus. Each of the longitudinally extending rods is acircular in shape, providing a transverse section that includes a semicircular shaped rear portion and a pointed front portion. The pointed portion is defined by a pair of flat surfaces that intersect along an edge, and the angle between the two flat surfaces is an acute angle. The apparatus is preferably formed of a titanium material or titanium alloy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.