Abstract: The invention relates to an air cleaner comprising a generally bell-shaped air cleaner housing and a generally frustoconical filter positioned concentrically within the housing. The housing has an air inlet at its small end and an air outlet at its large end for the flow of air generally axially into and out of the housing. The filter has a filter element coaxially juxtaposed the interior surface of the housing. The filter element is generally annular and has an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The downstream portion of a member supportably engages the upstream portion of the filter element. The upstream portion of the filter element has a diameter larger than the diameter of the member downstream portion. The member blocks the flow of air into the interior of the filter element and directs air axially along the exterior of the filter element. A downstream annular support piece engages the downstream end of the filter element.

Abstract: In a turbojet aero-engine of the bypass type in which the compressor includes pivotally mounted blow-off valves for discharging air from the primary air flow path through the compressor to prevent surging, the compressor further includes pivoted means associated with the blow-off valves such that the pivoted means lie against the wall of the primary air flow path whenever the valves are closed or are open below a predetermined angle of opening and, when said valves are opened beyond said predetermined angle, the pivoted means are caused to project into the primary air flow path for collecting excess water carried by the air and discharging this water from the flow path.

Abstract: A radial inflow particle separator includes a pair of axially and radially spaced curvilinear walls cooperatively defining a circumferential flow path leading radially inwardly and axially to an engine. Preferably, the particle separator is employed with a turbine engine which is operated at times in an environment laden with dust and particulate matter. Such an environment is typically encountered by a turbine engine of a helicopter, or off-road vehicle. The particle separator provides dust and particulate control features including aero-inertial, particle trajectory, particle boundary-rebound, and scavenge flow tailoring to achieve a dust and particulate separation efficiency as good as or better than the best conventional axial-flow particle separators. This particle separation effectiveness is achieved in a radial inflow particle separator which is smaller and lighter in weight than axial flow devices, and which packages advantageously with the essential structures of a turbine engine.

Abstract: A separating inlet duct (14) is provided with a reduced arm, bypass throat section (46) to restrict the bypass flow (18b) during periods of high speed aircraft flight. An ejector (34) ensures a minimum bypass flow (18b) during hover or low speed flight. An icing resistance baffle (40) having a rounded leading edge (42) defines the sized throat section (46).

Abstract: A gas turbine engine utilizes a main and at least one auxiliary particle separator for enhancing the separation of foreign particles from a stream of air entering the engine. The engine includes interior walls which collectively define an engine intake passageway and a compressor inlet passageway in flow communication with the intake passageway so as to provide a primary flowpath for air traveling through the engine to the engine compressor. The main and auxiliary particle separators each include a passageway associated with a corresponding interior wall of the engine. Each separator passageway has an inlet opening to one side of the main flowpath and directed generally upstream of the primary flowpath so as not to appreciably effect the pressure loss through the engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to turbopropeller gas turbine engines of the type which have a propeller positioned upstream of the gas generator. Intake openings supply air through intake ducts and annular intake duct to the gas generator. A separating duct removes foreign bodies from the air flowing through an outlet. The separating duct has a plurality of ejector nozzles equi-spaced in the wall of the duct. The ejector nozzles induce a flow through the separating duct to draw the foreign bodies through the separating duct. The separating duct allows the passage of large foreign bodies therethrough without damage to the ejector nozzles. The ejector nozzles are supplied with air from a compressor of the gas generator, and this allows control of the flow through the separating duct by a valve.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine inertial inlet particle separator having anti-icing. The separator has inner and outer walls defining a main inlet channel and splitter walls dividing the main channel into inner and outer branches. At least one of the walls has a surface portion subject to icing and a partition on the separator is closely disposed behind the one wall to define therewith a narrow annular tunnel. An inlet passage ducts hot compressed air from the engine to one end of the narrow tunnel and a discharge passage ducts the hot compressed air from the other end of the tunnel to a discharge, the flow area of the tunnel being less than the flow area of at least one of the discarge and inlet passages so that the tunnel defines a high velocity, enhanced heat transfer segment of a heating air channel consisting of the tunnel and the inlet and discharge passages. Heat conducting bridges extend across the tunnel to further enhance heat transfer to the icing surface portion.

Abstract: An air inlet assembly for a gas turbine aircraft engine includes a fixed turning vane and a movable turning vane that is carried on the trailing edge of the air deflector door. To optimally direct and accelerate a flow of air into the engine intake, the low-pressure and high-pressure surfaces of the airfoil-shaped fixed turning vane lie in parallel planes at the trailing edge of the vane. The turning vane on the air deflector door has a low-pressure, convex surface that rests against the fixed turning vane when the door is deployed in the anti-icing mode. Under normal conditions, the door is stored and the two vanes cooperate to form an aerodynamic converging channel, which accelerates the flow and attaches it to the low-pressure surface of the vane on the door.

Abstract: Disclosed in an apparatus and method for self-cleaning a barrier-type air filter. In an aircraft, a filter may be located within an air delivery duct wherein normal airflow through the duct deposits airborne lint and the like on an upstream side of the filter. To clean the filter, an airflow discharge conduit interconnects the duct and the exterior of the aircraft from a position upstream of the filter. A valve is operatively positioned in the conduit for opening and closing the airflow path it creates. When both normal airflow is stopped and the valve is opened, a reversal of airflow through the filter takes place and the lint is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A turbo-engine guard (2) for mounting on the air inlet (1) side of a turbo-engine, particularly of airplanes, comprises guard elements (3) possessing an optimum aerodynamic design. Advantageously the center lines or their extensions of the guard elements intersect or do not intersect each other in one plane. Preferably the guard elements (3) are helically mounted, preferably along several helical lines. Appropriately the guard elements (3) are kept under a tension so that these elements return to their original position after collision. Suitable materials for the guard elements are plastics of the poly-p-phenylene terephtalamide type, carbon fibres, metal or parts being held together by a binder being resistant to temperatures comprised between +150.degree. C. and -50.degree. C.

Abstract: A known military tank is powered by a turbine engine having a large capac air filter unit; a fan is ordinarily employed to draw dust-laden air from the filter unit. Erosion of the fan blades by fast-moving dust particles is a problem. We have substituted for the fan an aspirator mechanism; fast moving combustion products flowing through the engine exhaust duct draw dust-laden air from the filter unit through a slot-like orifice in one wall of the duct.

Abstract: An air intake for a gas turbine engine compressor comprises an arcuate primary duct which is in communication with the compressor of the gas turbine engine and which is provided with frangible wall portion. The frangible wall portion provides a barrier between the primary duct and a secondary duct and is so positioned and adapted as to be impacted and penetrated by a foreign body, such as a bird, which is above a predetermined weight and which has been ingested through the inlet of the primary duct. After penetrating the wall portion the foreign body passes through the secondary duct and is discharged therefrom at a location remote from the primary duct.

Abstract: A modular multi-channel particle separator is provided to block foreign objects from entering the inlet of a gas turbine engine and to remove particulate matter from the inlet air stream before it reaches the compressor section of the engine. Each module is designed for easy fabrication from sheet material which can be readily configured to remove both fine and coarse particles from the air stream with minimal pressure loss, system volume and weight. Each module also defines passages for removing particular matter that has been intercepted and for conducting heating air through the module to prevent icing. The modular construction of the separator simplifies initial assembly in the gas turbine engine, as well as later maintenance and replacement of one or more modules, should that prove necessary.

Abstract: To prevent dust and other debris from entering the compressor (12) of a gas turbine engine (10) an inlet particle separator (30) is provided. Air contaminated with dust and debris is induced into a scavenge chamber (32). An exhaust vent (35) is provided from the scavenge chamber (32) through which the contaminated air is ejected to atmosphere. Flow dividers (40,42,44) are positioned in the scavenge chamber (32) to ensure that the flow into the chamber is uniform around the inlet passage.

Abstract: The invention is an improved inlet particle separator for removing extraneous matter from a stream of air directed into the engine's core section. The improved separator utilizes two stages of separation. The first stage is an axial flow separator for initially separating engine inlet air into a first flow of relatively contaminated air and a second flow of relatively clean air. This first stage of separation is accomplished by sharply turning the air flow radially inwardly so that the relatively dense extraneous matter continues in its original direction into a scavenge system. A second stage of separation is accomplished in the scavenge system and comprises a centrifugal separator that separates the first flow of air into third and fourth flows of relatively contaminated air for the purpose of protecting a blower that powers the flow through the scavenge system and which is in flow communication with only the relatively less contaminated fourth flow of air.

Abstract: In one form of the present invention, boundary layer air is diverted from a probe in an aircraft and freestream air is induced to impinge upon the probe.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for separating foreign objects from airflow channeled to an aircraft engine. An air intake including a foreign object separator is provided. The air intake includes an inlet duct having a bend for defining a pressure side, which inlet duct is effective for channeling airflow to the engine. A separator aperture is disposed in the pressure side of the inlet duct and a receptacle extends from the inlet duct and is in flow communication with the separator aperture. The receptacle includes a turning wall which is substantially arcuate in both a transverse plane and a longitudinal plane, and is substantially closed for preventing the flow of airflow therethrough while being effective for receiving and capturing foreign objects which enter the inlet duct and pass through the separator aperture.

Abstract: A particle separator for a gas turbine engine is described having an inlet passage to the compressor of the gas turbine engine, with the inlet passageway being defined by an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall diverges outwardly to form a throat with a diverging outer wall and converges inwardly downstream thereof. A first bypass opening is provided immediately upstream of the diverging inner wall, whereby solid and liquid particles can be diverted and passed overboard. A splitter ring is provided in the inlet passageway downstream of the converging inner wall, such that the finer particles escaping from the first bypass openings would be separated by the splitter ring.

Abstract: A fluid flow driven apparatus, specifically a gas-powered turbine, which is especially designed to operate on particle laden fluid is disclosed herein along with its method of operation. This apparatus includes a main drive shaft disposed within its own compartment and a plurality of rotor blades fixedly connected to the shaft at axially spaced locations along its length. The apparatus also includes means for directing a continuous fluid stream, laden with particles, into the compartment, and means for causing the fluid stream in the compartment to move axially therethrough along a helical path around the shaft in order to engage the rotor blades in a way which causes the shaft to rotate about its own axis.

Abstract: An inlet particle separator for a gas turbine engine is provided with unique vanes distributed around an entrance to a particle collection chamber. The vanes are uniquely constructed to direct extraneous particles that enter the engine into the collection chamber and prevent the particles from rebounding back into the engine's air flow stream. The vanes are provided with several features to accomplish this function, including upstream faces that are sharply angled towards air flow stream direction to cause particles to bounce towards the collection chamber. In addition, throat regions between the vanes cause a localized air flow acceleration and a focusing of the particles that aid in directing the particles in a proper direction.

Abstract: An airflow particle separator for a gas turbine engine provided for removing foreign particles and moisture from the air flow. The separator comprises an inner wall and an outer wall defining a passageway therebetween, with the inner wall including an inlet portion diverging in a downstream direction away from the separator axis while converging towards the outer wall to form a throat to accelerate incoming air to a higher velocity in a substantially axial direction. The inner wall then converges towards the separator axis and diverges from said outer wall with a splitter ring disposed between the inner and outer walls for splitting said passageway into inner and outer passages, with the outer passage adapted to bypass moisture and foreign particles. The leading edge of the splitter ring is located downstream and inward of said throat.

Abstract: An air intake for a helicopter mounted gas turbine engine comprises two intake portions which comprises vortex separator panels. One panel is generally forward facing while the other is generally sideways facing. A panel is pivotally mounted between the separator panels so as to pivot between a first position in which it obturates the generally sideways facing panel and a second position in which it obturates neither of the separator panels. The arrangement is such that when the helicopter is in fast forward flight, the pressure of the ram air flow through the generally forward facing inlet panel causes the pivoted panel to pivot to the position in which it obturates the generally sideways facing inlet panel.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine air intake comprises an enlarged center body positioned upstream of the engine air inlet. The center body is provided with a drain so that in operation water particles impacting and flowing across the surface of the center body are directed into the interior of the center body. From there the water is drained into a by-pass duct which exhausts the water into the exhaust efflux of the engine to which the intake is attached.

Abstract: An intake system for removing particles from air entering an engine, in which the intake air in an intake duct is divided into a primary airstream which flows upwardly at a sharp angle from the intake stream and into the engine inlet, and a secondary airstream which flows directly rearwardly with the particles to be removed, into a plenum where the particles are collected. A third airstream is formed which flows forwardly from the plenum beneath and at the sides of the intake duct, then upwardly around the sides of the intake duct and into the engine inlet.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine and its associated air intake system in which the air intake system comprises a generally horizontally extending duct through which an airflow is induced by an ejector pump powered by the engine. A portion of the air passing through the duct is directed through a second duct to the air inlet of the engine. The second duct is connected to the first duct in such a manner that the air directed to the engine air inlet is derived from a vertically upper region of the first duct. The arrangement is intended to reduce the amount of airborne particulate material ingested by the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: An actuating linkage is provided for use in an aircraft engine having a double door-type particle separator, anti-icing system installed within its air intake ducts. The actuating linkage interconnects the deflecting vane and the bypass door through a coupler link. The deflecting vane is pivotally connected to a linear link which is connected to an actuator link about a pivot point. Movement of the actuator link varies the relative positions of the deflecting vane and the bypass door between ram mode and anti-icing mode positions. The actuating linkage partially balances the aerodynamic forces on the deflecting vane and bypass door so that the input required to operate the anti-icing system may be manually applied by the pilot. The actuating linkage is fail-safe, in that the linkage is operative such that should the actuator link extending to the pilot station fail, the aerodynamic forces on the bypass door cause the deflecting vane and bypass door to be actuated to the anti-icing mode position.

Abstract: An air intake structure for a gas turbine engine comprising a duct having an air inlet at its upstream end for the engine and a generally mushroom-shaped center body. The duct and the center body have circular cross-sections throughout their lengths and are coaxial. The center body has a first stem portion extending into the duct and a second mushroom-shaped portion upstream of the air inlet of the duct, the mushroom-shaped portion having a maximum diameter greater than the diameter of the air inlet. An apertured wall circumferentially extends around the maximum diameter of the second portion of the center body, the apertures of the wall being so dimensioned as to cause any small liquid droplets flowing over the upstream face thereof to coalesce into larger liquid droplets. A step immediately downstream of the apertured wall causes the formed larger droplets to be launched from the center body in a trajectory which avoids the air inlet of the duct.

Abstract: An intake duct (1) for an aircraft jet propulsion engine (2) has a surface region (4) on which a bird travelling along the duct will impact before being ingested by the engine. To minimize damage to the engine, the surface region (4) is formed such that part of the bird is retarded relatively to the remainder, the resultant distortion effecting extravasation and evisceration which produces bird debris of a sufficiently low density to be safely ingested by the engine.

Abstract: A permanently fixed fairing is provided extending across the air duct coinciding with the opening in the air duct to the air intake of a gas turbine engine. The fairing is in the form of an airfoil vane with a high pressure concave surface and a low pressure convex surface extending between the leading edge and trailing edge of the fairing and shaped such that the leading edge portion of the fairing is in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the air duct while the trailing edge portion of the fairing is in the direction of the air intake of the engine such that the fairing will divert air into the intake. A deflecting flap is hinged to the wall of the duct in a first position for a non-icing mode whereby the flap is clear of the air duct and in a second position whereby the trailing edge of the flap is adjacent the leading edge of the fairing during an icing mode.

Abstract: An engine air particle separator for use with a turbine engine and providing a first engine air flow path to the engine inlet in which foreign particles are separated from the air entering engine, and a second direct flow path for air to the engine inlet presenting minimum pressure drop and such that the ram air flows directly into the engine inlet. The second flow path includes actuatable blow-in doors which are actuated by a pneumatic door actuator mechanism operable to cause the doors to close upon the admission of air at operating pressure to the mechanism. Mechanism is provided to prevent the doors from opening when actuating air pressure is applied to the door actuator mechanism but falls below a preselected limit and to permit the doors to open in response to spring bias and ram pressure acting thereagainst when the air at actuating pressure is withdrawn.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine cowling suitable for a helicopter contains a gas turbine engine having a vortex tube separator panel for the purpose of separating water droplets and particulate material from engine inlet air. The vortex tube separator panel is mounted in a duct extending the length of the cowling so that air passing through the duct supplies air for passing through the panel to the engine inlet as well as maintaining a flow of air transverse to the panel. The air flow transverse to the panel ensures that blockage of the panel by ice is substantially reduced or eliminated. Under forward flight conditions, ram air passes through the duct but during hovering, the air flow through the duct is induced by an ejector powered by the exhaust efflux from the engine. The portion of the air flow through the duct which does not enter the gas turbine engine is utilized in the cooling of the engine exhaust efflux in order to reduce the amount of infra-red radiation emitted thereby.

Abstract: The inlet and primary impingement surfaces of a particle separator used in a gas turbine engine are coated with a composition consisting substantially of cellulose nitrate.

Abstract: A system of separating or removing foreign particles from the gaseous fluid flowing in the primary flow path of a gas turbine engine is provided wherein the particles are removed from the stream near the engine inlet and flow through a conduit to ejector means operative to effect a flow of a second stream of fluid in the conduit. Mixing means are provided for mixing the second stream of fluid with the gaseous fluid flowing in the primary flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus is designed for preventing entry of foreign objects into an aircraft power plant. The apparatus comprises a rotor kinematically associated with a drive. The rotor is disposed in a duct between an air intake and an engine, and has a center body with radial blades secured thereon. The blades are installed at an angle to the plane which is square with the longitudinal axis of the rotor. The apparatus has a foreign object collection chamber with an opening for entry of foreign objects, disposed in front of the blades in the direction of air flow.The blades are installed relative to one another with an angular pitch determined from the equation: ##EQU1## where .phi. is the angular pitch of blades;K.sub.1 is the dimensionless coefficient dependent on the shape of blades;K.sub.2 is the dimensionless coefficient dependent on the ratio of diameters of the duct and center body to the maximum possible air flow rate at the engine inlet;.sigma. is the ultimate strength of the material of blades;.gamma.

Abstract: Jet engines can function properly even in conditions where liquid droplets are taken in by the compressor of the engine. However, where the droplets contain corrosive substances such as salts, damage can accrue not only through corrosion, but through build up of deposits spoiling the aerodynamic flow of air and gas through the engine. The risk of this ocurring is reduced by placing a vaned vortex generator in the intake and including on the flanks of its vanes, grooves which collect the droplets into coalesced streams and directs them to an area adjacent the intake wall. A flow splitter provides an annular, secondary outlet to dump the concentrated fluids.

Abstract: In a gas turbine engine, a duct is constructed extending axially and communicating directly, through a transverse opening, with the engine plenum. The plenum extends upward into the engine nacelle and connects with the inlet to the compressor of the gas turbine engine. A portion of the air entering the duct is drawn into the plenum. The remainder is exhausted out of the rear portion of the duct. To create inertial separation, a door is mounted on a lever arm which may be rotated between two positions. In one position the door partially closes the entrance to the plenum causing the airflow to turn through a greater angle in order to enter the plenum. The turning motion of the airflow divides the particles of heavier mass to the outside of the turn. These particles will be exhausted from the rearward exit of the duct. In a second position the door closes the rear portion of the duct so that the entire volume of air entering the duct is supplied to the engine plenum.

Abstract: A cylindrical type automotive barrier filter is adapted to be used in the inlet airflow of a gas turbine engine that is used in an agricultural aircraft. Air is drawn in through an inlet in the upper portion of the aircraft nose body without appreciable disturbance to the aerodynamic contours. The outlet of the filter is connected to a duct in a sealed relationship to direct the airflow to the engine inlet. The airflow passage is sealed by a connecting flange mounted on the filter to which the duct is connected. A longitudinally extending firewall is constructed to separate the filter and connecting duct from the turbine section of the engine. An emergency bypass door is provided to provide an inlet airflow in the event the filters become clogged. The bypass door is designed to provide particle separation of the incoming air.

Abstract: An inlet air cleaner assembly is provided for the air intake of gas turbine engines comprising, in combination, an array of vortex air cleaners removing coarse and heavy contaminant particles, but not light and well dispersed contaminant particles, and an array of sheets of filamentary woven or nonwoven material, arranged to receive partially cleaned air from the vortex air cleaner array, and remove light and well dispersed contaminant particles suspended therein.

Abstract: The forwardly open intake end of a jet engine, powering an aircraft, is screened against birds and other airborne objects by a conical cage formed from an array of metal rods converging on the engine axis, the rods being held together at the vertex of the cone by a solid tip and in an intermediate plane as well as at the cone base by a pair of metal rings. In flight, they are free to vibrate so as to shake off adhering ice particles. De-icing can be further promoted by feeding back exhaust gases from the rear of the engine to the interior of the cage through an external pipe.

Abstract: A filter for separating material of greater density from material of lesser density, comprises a hollow body having an inlet at one end thereof for the materials to be separated, and outlets at the other end thereof for the separated materials. A passage joins the inlet to the outlets and has two sets of separator vanes disposed therein. Alternatively, a single set of separator vanes is disposed in the passage. Each set of vanes is positioned in the passage so as to define a first, convergent flow path for the material of greater density. The vanes in each set are spaced longitudinally of the passage such that a plurality of second, divergent flow paths for the material of lesser density are defined between respective pairs of adjacent vanes. Each vane has an upstream edge, a first surface portion extending from the edge in a downstream direction and facing in an upstream direction, and a second surface portion which is concave and which faces in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for limiting ingestion of debris into the inlet of a gas turbine engine. The invention includes providing first means in communication with a source of fluid under pressure for introducing at least one jet of fluid at a point aft of the leading edge of a nacelle associated with the engine inlet. The first means are adapted to discharge the fluid jet away from the leading edge and in the aft direction to establish a low pressure region aft of the leading edge and in sufficient proximity to a second vortex formation region so as to draw airflows from the second region into the low pressure region and away from the engine inlet.

Abstract: An improvement in an air intake for an aircraft engine, particularly a prop-jet engine, which intake is ring-shaped at the forward part thereof and has a central, non-rotatable body mounted in said intake, which together form an intake diffuser, the improvement comprising a displaceable inlet lip on said intake, said lip being displaceable to sealing contact against said central body and against the direction of air onflow, and said lip in said sealing contact position forming a ring-shaped inlet gap behind said lip.

Abstract: An inlet guide vane for a turbofan engine comprises a principal airfoil portion fabricated of metal and a radially outward and rearward corner portion fabricated of a frangible material which is attached to the metal portion and completes the airfoil structure. When foreign objects are ingested into the airstream to cause the closely spaced fan blades to deform forwardly to impact against the inlet guide vane, the frangible rearward corner of the inlet guide vane is caused to break off into small pieces and pass through the system without causing any significant secondary damage, thereby leaving the principal portion of the inlet guide vane to function as a relatively efficient airfoil.

Abstract: An improved deflector type of device for preventing suction of foreign matter into an air intake port of a gas turbine engine for an aircraft. The deflector is movable and by displacing said movable part to a desired position an intake air flow passageway of the engine can be varied. Thus, suction of foreign matter into a gas turbine engine during a flight under a freezing weather condition can be prevented without degrading air intake efficiency during a flight under a non-freezing environmental condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for the air intake of an aircraft turbine engine, which equipment includes an inlet duct capable of being obturated by a bullet therein, and a bullet thrust mechanism connected to the duct by studs forming bullet guides. Part of the duct is formed by box members for receiving a plurality of separating elements downstream of deflectors, the internal face of the duct lip together with the external face of the bullet and of a jack piston and cylinder of said thrust mechanism being made of soundproofing material.

Abstract: Sand and dust erosion of turbine engines by ingested particulate matter is major problem facing both airframe and engine manufacturers. Various types of particle separators are used to keep sand and dust out of the engine. In these separators the particles are diverted by swirl vanes and similar devices to keep them out of the engine. An inlet scroll separator herein permits the particles to continue their course of travel and diverts the air stream, reducing power requirements and eliminating swirl and deswirl vanes.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided with a booster stage which operates to increase the power and improve the performance of the engine as well as a particle separator provided at the engine inlet. The booster stage may also eliminate the need for additional anti-icing downstream thereof. The booster is driven at near constant speed by the power turbine of the engine and airflow from the booster is matched to the airflow requirements of the engine by a plurality of variable inlet guide vanes in cooperation with variable bleed means in a manner which maintains the minimum temperature increase of the airflow through the booster required to inhibit ice formation downstream of the booster. In addition, the booster operates to improve the centrifuging effect of the inlet separator, thus eliminating the need for a separate blower for extracting extraneous matter from the collection chamber of the separator.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine air inlet having an improved separator for particulate matter is described. Liner means define an annular flow passage which curves inwardly to the entrance of the engine's compressor. Hollow struts extend radially through the curved portion of the air passage. A V-shaped trap provides particle receiving pocket portions which span adjacent struts and open into first chambers in the struts. A plate extends downstream of the upstream edge of the inner trap leg to define a narrow entrance to the pocket portions. The upstream edge of the inner trap leg is spaced inwardly of the inner liner means at the entrance portion to capture most, if not all, of the particulate matter entrained in the inner portion of the air stream. The outer liner means comprise first and second liners, with the latter having its upstream edge radially inward of the upstream edge of the outer trap leg and intermediate its length.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for pumping gases laden with abrasive particles. The pump comprises a cylindrical outer housing within which there are three axially adjacent sections, namely; an inertial bypass inlet; a powered rotor midsection; and an annular exhaust diffuser. The inertial bypass inlet consists of an axially symmetric cone which diverts the heavier sand and dust particles toward the outer walls. Behind the conical deflector is an axially symmetric circular shroud. A rotor within the shroud draws in and accelerates partially clean air from the lee side of the cone while the majority of the sand and dust laden air passes between the shroud and the outside wall. Recombination of the entire airstream occurs at an ejector nozzle serving as an output of the powered rotor midsection. Contaminated air from the ejector nozzle experiences a pressure rise in the annular exhaust diffuser.

Abstract: A separator for removing frozen or condensed water from an air stream, such as to aircraft environmental and avionics cooling systems, is described which comprises a generally tubular housing having an inlet and outlet, one or more screens of selected mesh size disposed in preselected spacing generally transverse of a direction of air flow within the housing, a brush or wiper disposed against each screen for removing moisture from each screen, either the screen or contacting brush being rotatable relative to the other, a motor operatively connected to the rotatable screen or brush for rotating one against the other to remove moisture from the screen, and a conduit operatively connected to the housing for draining moisture therefrom.