Filters for aircraft engine inlets
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorAlbert G. Brand
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Some examples of an aircraft engine barrier filtration system include an engine barrier filter layer positioned near an aircraft engine intake. The filter layer filters aircraft engine intake air. The system includes a check valve assembly positioned adjacent to the engine barrier filter layer. The check valve assembly permits the engine intake air to flow into the engine through the filter layer during a first aircraft operation mode and to prevent air flow away from the engine through the filter layer during a second aircraft operation mode that is different from the first aircraft operation mode.
Claims18
An aircraft engine barrier filtration system comprising:
- an engine barrier filter layer positioned near an aircraft engine intake, the filter layer to filter aircraft engine intake air;
- and a passive one-way check valve assembly positioned adjacent to the engine barrier filter layer, the passive one-way check valve assembly to permit the engine intake air to flow into the engine in a first flow direction through the filter layer during a first aircraft operation mode and to substantially prevent air flow away from the engine in a second flow direction through the filter layer opposite the first flow direction during a second aircraft operation mode that is different from the first aircraft operation mode;
- wherein the check valve assembly comprises a system of reed valves;
- with:
- a first layer comprising a plurality of openings;
- and a second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer comprising a plurality of reeds, each reed aligned with a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings.
An aircraft engine barrier filtration and check valve system comprising:
- an engine barrier filter layer positioned near an aircraft engine intake, the filter layer to filter aircraft engine intake air;
- and a passive one-way check valve assembly attached to the engine barrier filter layer, the check valve assembly to either permit the engine intake air to flow into the engine through the filter or to substantially prevent air flow away from the engine through the filter based, in part, on an aircraft operation mode;
- wherein the check valve assembly comprises:
- a first layer comprising a plurality of openings;
- and a second layer attached to the first layer, the second layer comprising a plurality of reeds, each reed aligning with a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings.
A method of providing intake air to an aircraft engine, the method comprising:
- permitting flow of aircraft engine intake air in a first direction into an aircraft engine through a passive one-way check valve assembly and through an engine harrier filter layer during a first aircraft operation mode;
- and preventing, with the passive one-way check valve assembly, flow of air in a second, opposite direction away from the engine through the passive one-way check valve assembly and the engine barrier filter layer during a second aircraft operation mode that is different from the first aircraft operation mode wherein the passive one-way check valve assembly comprises a system of reed valves with:
- a second layer attached to the first laver, the second layer comprising plurality of reeds, each reed aligning with a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.