Abstract: A two-stage aerial vehicle which is launched and accelerated by an integral olid booster. After booster burnout and jettison of the booster nozzle, the booster chamber becomes the combustion chamber for a liquid fueled ramjet. The vehicle is designed for use with known guided missile launching systems and employs unique ram air scoop and control surface actuator structure.

Abstract: Invention is an aerial vehicle that uses a centrally located aft burning id-propellant motor to supply a fuel-rich exhaust to four cylindrical engines which are mounted in equally spaced relation about the exterior of the vehicle body. The fuel-rich exhaust is mixed with air in the engines and burned to provide ramjet action to propel the vehicle. A tandem booster rocket initially propels the vehicle to supersonic speed. Tail fins are interdigitated with respect to the engines and include sections which are movable upon command for steering the vehicle. Among the advantages for the vehicle are its maneuverability and its adaptability to existing missile systems.

Abstract: A hinged inlet cover for an overcontracted mixed compression supersonic inlet which does not eject from the aircraft, which reduces carriage drag of the aircraft and which, at the same time, produces an increase in inlet performance by utilizing a dynamic starting process as the cover opens. The cover is actuable to open the inlet by aerodynamic forces.

Abstract: A combination vacuum lift pump and siphon for handling liquids, comprising a pump cylinder having an inlet disposed near one end and an outlet adjacent to but spaced from the other end, a piston reciprocatable in the cylinder, and a plunger and handle connected therewith, and a pair of check valves, one of which is associated with the piston and is operable to be closed when the plunger is lifted in the cylinder, and the other of which is disposed at the cylinder inlet and is operable to be closed when the plunger is lowered in the cylinder. The outlet of the cylinder is spaced a short distance from the upper end thereof, such that for siphon operation the piston and its check valve can be moved to a position in the cylinder which is beyond the location of the outlet. Accordingly, the flow of liquid by-passes the piston check valve completely, and the latter thus does not act in such a manner as to restrict the siphon flow, as was the case in many other constructions.

Abstract: A ramjet powered vehicle having a bleed slot in the subsonic diffuser, for the ramjet combustor, which supplies air to a turbine for supplying power to vehicle accessories. A vortex tube is provided between the bleed slot and the turbine to provide a cool air supply. Radar absorbing material is positioned adjacent ramjet inlet with a cooling duct provided to supply cooling air from the vortex tube to the ramjet inlet cowl lip to provide cooling for the radar absorbing material.

Abstract: For a winged high speed missile that includes a two-dimensional inlet supplying air to the missile power plant, the compression ramp of the inlet is oriented with respect to the outwash angle produced by the missile body and the underneath surface of the wing such that the compression ramp of the inlet is subjected to an effective angle of attack. By proper inlet orientation the captured flow is turned inwardly toward the missile center line further compressing the incoming air.

Abstract: Precompression fins extending perpendicular from the wings of a high speed missile are judiciously located relative to an axisymmetric inlet of an airbreathing power plant such that the outwash angle induced by the body and wing of the missile enhances the performance of the inlet.

Abstract: A ramjet powered missile having means for controlling the air inlet geometry for best efficiency at a given end-of-boost-take-over Mach number and for changing the inlet geometry for best efficiency at a higher Mach number for fuel economy and extended flight range comprising a first jetisonable air inlet formed of a plurality of removable lip sections held in place by connecting struts and pyrotechnic thrusters. The explosive charge of the thrusters when activated eject the lip sections and struts outward and clear of the missile thus providing a second inlet of a different geometry.

Abstract: An inlet for a gas turbine engine is disposed about a curved centerline for the purpose of accepting intake air that is flowing at an angle to engine centerline and progressively turning that intake airflow along a curved path into alignment with the engine. This curved inlet is intended for use in under-the-wing locations and similar regions where airflow direction is altered by aerodynamic characteristics of the airplane. By curving the inlet, aerodynamic loss and acoustic generation and emission are decreased.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying a jet engine to be carried externally in an inoperative condition on an aircraft to minimize aerodynamic drag and oscillation of the engine. The apparatus includes an annular inlet extension adapted to be mounted to the operating air inlet which slightly extends and contracts the inlet to reduce air spillage. The disclosed method includes the removal of the fan blades from the fan section of the inlet, attaching an ice deflector dome to the engine core inlet, and attaching the inlet extension to the nacelle air inlet.

Abstract: This invention relates to a compact hypersonic modular inlet which divides captured airstream and compresses it supersonically without the need for a variable geometry diffuser. According to the invention, an innerbody is provided with a plurality of perimetrically spaced inlet ducts which are defined by a single concave sidewall. The sidewalls intersect to form a center spike and radially directed, swept back leading edges. A cowling covers the inlets and is provided with a swept back leading edge adjacent to each duct, each leading edge having a profile conforming to a normal shock front.

Abstract: A noise-reducing jet engine air inlet duct contoured to control air flow such that sound waves (noise) propagating upstream from the engine toward the entryway of the air inlet duct are refracted to the duct wall and/or engine inlet centerbody is disclosed. The inlet duct wall and/or engine inlet centerbody are contoured to establish a cross-sectional duct region having substantial airflow velocity gradients in a direction transverse to the direction of the airflow. Starting at the inlet duct entryway, the contoured duct region includes a parallel or diverging section followed by a rapidly contracting section before a final diffusion section extending to the engine. The velocity gradients created in the region of the contracting section refract the sound waves toward the wall and/or engine centerbody of the air inlet duct.

Abstract: To enhance the flow of air into a flush-type, air inlet on the fuselage of an aircraft, a wing-like deflector is mounted on a pedestal attached to the aircraft and is positioned outwardly from the fuselage and forwardly of the inlet so as to deflect free stream air flowing past slower-moving boundary layer air adjacent the fuselage, into the inlet. The deflector has an ogee shaped planform and is pitched at a predetermined angle of attack with respect to the direction of free stream flow to generate counterrotating flow vortices that trail the deflector and produce a strong downwash behind the deflector. The vortices entrain high energy air from the free stream and direct it down into the inlet. In one disclosed embodiment, the inlet is equipped with a door that swings between a closed position, flush with the exterior of the fuselage to block air flow from entering the inlet, and an open position, recessed within the inlet duct.

Abstract: A siphon system in which an enclosed container has a chamber for heating a gaseous fluid as by solar radiation. The chamber is in continuous open communication with a siphon having an inlet at an upper level and an outlet at a lower level. A pressure responsive valve is located at the outlet for permitting the release of gaseous fluid at pressures over atmosphere and closing the outlet to communicate pressures below atmosphere to the inlet to start the siphon. When the siphon is filled, the pressure responsive valve opens to release the liquid from the outlet. A float valve may be used at the inlet to retain a below atmospheric pressure in the system for immediate operation when the liquid accumulates at the inlet.

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: There is disclosed an air inlet for a turbine engine suitable for use on a short takeoff and landing (STOL), a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) or a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) type of aircraft. A critical region in which critical flow occurs under certain conditions communicates with a less critical region of lower static pressure. Air is drawn away from the critical region and reinjected into the air flow at the less critical region.In one embodiment a circumferentially extended slot is provided in the inner surface of the air inlet at the windward side and downstream of the throat region. The slot communicates with a circumferential plenum chamber formed in the front of the air inlet just behind the lip. Circumferentially extending rows of apertures are provided on the lip establishing two sets of apertures spaced circumferentially away from the slot in opposite directions.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided with a long nacelle which forms both the inlet and exhaust of the engine. The nacelle is spaced apart from a core engine to define an annular bypass duct therebetween. The incoming air stream is pressurized by a front fan disposed in the inlet and then divided between the core engine and bypass duct. A lobed mixer device is provided downstream of the core engine to intermix the core engine and bypass duct exhaust streams. The mixed streams are discharged from a common nozzle formed at the downstream end of the nacelle. A non-redundant system of mounts are provided to secure the engine to the pylon of an aircraft in such a manner as to reduce engine thrust induced bending loads and insure symmetry of these thrust loads. The total reaction of the thrust loads at the mounting points is reduced by a unique interlocking system by which all of the major engine assemblies are joined.

Abstract: A valve for use in an apparatus for supplying molten metal by means of a siphon to a furnace. A valve formed by a tube provided with two flanges is placed at the upper part of the siphon, this tube extending by a certain length below the level of the flanges, so as to form an annular space with each of the branches of the siphon in which the gas is trapped during decanting, which prevents the gaskets from being in contact with the molten metal.

Abstract: A projectile fired from a gun barrel, aimed in straight flight upon a small arget, has a massive armor-piercing body spacedly surrounded by a sleeve which defines with its outer surface a ring channel that may also serve as a combustion chamber for generating additional thrust. The sleeve, whose cylindrical outer periphery provides guidance in the gun barrel, is axially divided into a rear portion rigid with the massive body and a relatively slidable front portion. In an initial forward position of this front portion, an annular shutter mounted on its inner surface obstructs the ring channel by engaging an annular shoulder on the body, the sleeve then effectively acting as a sabot which blocks the escape of combustion gases from the gun blast.

Abstract: An inlet for a gas turbine engine is provided with a fixed geometry upstream lip defining the primary inlet flow passage, and a variable position downstream lip partially defining an efficient auxiliary fluid flow passage through the inlet. The upstream lip is sized to pass all of the engine flow requirements at a near-sonic average Mach number during engine approach operating conditions. Apparatus is provided to position the variable lip for modulating flow through the auxiliary passage during higher engine power settings.

Abstract: A nacelle for use with a gas turbine engine is provided with an integral webbed structure resembling a spoked wheel for rigidly interconnecting the nacelle and engine. The nacelle is entirely supported in its spacial relationship with the engine by means of the webbed structure. The inner surface of the nacelle defines the outer limits of the engine motive fluid flow annulus while the outer surface of the nacelle defines a streamlined envelope for the engine.

Abstract: The disclosure of this invention pertains to a gas turbine engine with anti-icing facility. The engine has an axial flow compressor having a rotor hub provided at its upstream end with a nose for dividing the air stream into the compressor. The nose has a pointed conical upstream part of limited angle of divergence where ice formation is minimal. The conical part is followed by a toroidally surfaced concave intermediate part defining a transition from the downstream end of the conical part toward the relatively longer diameter of the hub. The increasing angle of divergence of the intermediate part is progressively more prone to ice formation but is also progressively, more able to throw off the ice by centrifugal force. A convex toroidal part forms a surface blending the intermediate part to the hub.

Abstract: An air inlet duct for a jet propulsion missile or other vehicle which is movable between a housed, pre-launch position and an extended or deployed flight position. A method of manufacturing the duct is also disclosed. The duct system includes a flexible leading edge attached to a double-wall inflatable duct body. Drop threads extend between the duct body walls to hold an exact desired contour when the duct is inflated. A pivotable plate moves the inflatable duct between a housed, deflated, position and an inflated flight position. Manufacture of the inflatable duct is basically accomplished by preparing a foamed plastic form in the desired duct wall shape, covering the form with fabric, stitching through the foam and fabric, coating the fabric with a flexible sealing compound, dissolving away the foamed plastic and attaching the resulting inflatable duct to other missile components.

Abstract: An acoustic duct such as a jet engine fan duct is lined with a plurality of circumferentially spaced strips of sound-absorbing materials which extend helically about the duct axis and which are effective to scatter spinning mode acoustic pressure fields to higher order attenuating modes for improved noise suppression. To maximize noise reduction, the pitch angle of the helix may be aligned to the direction of the wave front generated by the first stage rotor blades of a fan or compressor disposed in the duct when operating at a supersonic velocity relative to the incoming airstream. Alternate strips may be tuned to different frequencies and/or be separated by untreated strips.

Abstract: A check valve for substantially preventing fluid flow in a first direction, but allowing a substantially unrestricted fluid flow in a second, opposite direction, the check valve including a tubular body and a flapper valve hingedly disposed within the tubular body so that the flapper valve, which is formed from a diagonally-cut section of tubing, may substantially block the tube by sealing its cut edges against a first inner wall portion of the tubular body and so that its cut edges may also lie substantially flush along a second inner wall portion of the tubular body allowing for substantially unimpeded fluid flow.

Abstract: The inlet of a gas turbine is provided with a mechanism for varying the throat area which may be selectively adjusted to maintain the velocity of an incoming air stream at a high level during aircraft takeoff and climbout to thereby reduce forward propagated noise.

Abstract: A supersonic diffuser having a plurality of blades therein for dividing the diffuser channel into a plurality of approximately axisymmetric ducts wherein a portion of said ducts ingest a boundary layer along at least one of the walls of the supersonic diffuser. The blades in the diffuser channel have their upstream ends bent away from the wall having the boundary layer to redirect the flow into the ducts. In one embodiment the wall between the duct having the boundary layer and the duct adjacent to the duct having the boundary layer is made in two sections with both sections being bent away from the wall having the boundary layer, to provide internal redistribution between the two ducts.

Abstract: In a gas turbine engine of the type which includes an inlet particle separator, there is provided apparatus for measuring the temperature of the air entering the engine compressor.A remote temperature probe is disposed in a feed duct having an inlet in flow communication with the engine inlet upstream of the particle separator and an outlet disposed intermediate the particle separator and inlet to the engine compressor. Airflow through the feed duct is generated by the pressure drop across the particle separator without the use of compressor bleed or other air sources which result in performance degradation of the engine. Temperature measurement errors during engine anti-icing are reduced by selectively cross-bleeding a predetermined quantity of anti-icing air into the feed duct during activation of the engine's anti-icing system. The response rate of the probe is significantly improved by enclosing the probe in an impingement heat transfer blanket.

Abstract: A siphon includes an inverted U-shaped tube providing a passage between a main and an auxiliary container of water. A longer leg of the tube is connected to the upper end of a first section of an enclosed chamber which extends deeply into the main container. The chamber is partitioned into two adjacent longitudinal sections by a common wall having an opening at the lower end. The bottom of the second section is spaced above the base of the first section. The second section includes a flat plunger having a long movable vertical rod which extends out of the top. Water enters through inlets in the bottom of the first section and top of the second section until the chamber is full. A pivotable flapper valve controls the opening in the wall between the two sections. The rod and plunger are raised to the upper position and rapidly moved down to the edge of the bottom opening. This causes the valve to pivot away from the opening while blocking the inlet holes in the first section.

Abstract: A check valve for use in a tube has a closure element hinged in the tube which nests within one side of the tube in the open position and pivots to substantially block the tube in the closed position. The closure element has a bottom edge and an upward extending edge which intersect at 90 degrees at the diameter of the closure element, the edges meeting the side of the closure element at points disposed one above the other a distance apart greater than the diameter of the tube. A tubular seat with upper surfaces conforming to the edges of the closure element in the closed position may be inserted below it as a press fit in the tube and the closure element may be hinged to the seat.

Abstract: Noise generated by the tips of the fan blades in a turbofan jet propulsion engine is suppressed by generating an annular fluid layer or wake in the inlet of the turbofan engine forwardly from the fan blades and spaced inwardly from the inner wall of the inlet and by lining the inner wall of the inlet with an acoustically absorbent layer of material. Sound waves generated by the fan blades are reflected outwardly by the fluid layer and are absorbed in the acoustic absorbent layer on the inner wall of the inlet. In order for the wake to reflect sound waves, either the local fluid velocity in the wake must be lower than the fluid velocity of the surrounding airstream traveling through the inlet or the acoustic speed in the wake must be greater than or equal to the acoustic speed in the surrounding airstream. It is preferred that both conditions be met.

Abstract: A fan structure which is particularly well suited for use in a high tip speed turbofan, gas turbine engine is disclosed. Various construction details accommodate both subsonic and supersonic flow across the fan blades. The system is built around compression shock wave phenomenon which are utilized to stably convert a portion of the dynamic energy of a supersonic stream to pressure energy within a subsonic stream.

Abstract: An inlet for a supersonic aircraft capable of varying capture area. The inlet is of a rectangular shape, and has a ramp attached to the top and bottom of its fore end. The ramps are positioned to maximize air capture area during supersonic flight. At subsonic speeds, the ramps are moved to a position which slightly reduces the capture area. The ramps may have a blunt edge or sharp edge, and are controlled by an actuator located within the aircraft and connected to the ramps by suitable linkage. The ramps have a smooth contour provided by a flexible outer skin to reduce aerodynamic drag during operation of the aircraft.

Abstract: An axisymmetric air intake system for a jet aircraft engine comprising a fixed cowl extending outwardly from the face of the engine, a centerbody coaxially disposed within the cowl, and an actuator for axially displacing the centerbody within the cowl. The cowl and centerbody define a main airflow passageway therebetween, the configuration of which is changed by displacement of the centerbody. The centerbody includes a forwardly-located closeable air inlet which communicates with a centerbody auxiliary airflow passageway to provide auxiliary airflow to the engine. In one embodiment, a system for opening and closing the centerbody air inlet is provided by a dual-member centerbody, the forward member of which may be displaced axially with respect to the aft member. The air inlet is open when the forward centerbody member is in a first, rearward position with respect to the aft member.

Abstract: A control system for suppression of shock-induced flow separation caused by the interaction of turbulent boundary layer air and a strong normal shock in the air inlet of a supersonic aircraft by application of continuous bleeding upstream and across the shock boundary layer interaction region of the inlet through a porous cover which leads to a row of plenums from whence the bleed air is exhausted to atmosphere, through a controlled incrementally operated door. The control system can control interactions with normal shock strength approaching Mach=2 in strength.

Abstract: The flap covering or opening a secondary air intake in an aircraft engine is linked to a shock attenuator so that movements of the flap near the closing position are strongly attenuated while movement about the fully open position is very little attenuated.

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 dual, side-mounted inlet for air-launched ramjet missiles that require h angle-of-attack capability. The inlets are located symetrically on both sides of the vehicle pitch plane at an optimum angular displacement around the vehicle's lower surface from windward side meridian, lying in the pitch plane. The inlet pressure recovery and relative weight flow reach maximum values at angular displacements between 45.degree. and 60.degree. at positive angles of attack. The inlet is attached to the vehicle with a conventional boundary layer diverter of minimum height.

Abstract: An inlet duct for use with gas turbine engines or the like is provided with an axially upstream projecting deflector means to reduce noise propagation emanating within said duct. The deflector member has an essentially double arcuate contour of the lip in the axial direction which improves noise attenuation and inlet total pressure recovery. The contour is provided with at least one point of curvature inflection.

Abstract: A supersonic two-dimensional intake arrangement for two or more jet propulsion engines has a duct for each engine, a mouth region for each duct, said mouth regions being positioned in adjacent rearewardly staggered rearwardly such that at least one shock wave is common to all mouth regions. Preferably one duct wall is common to adjacent intake mouths.

Abstract: An acoustic duct such as a jet engine fan duct is lined with numerous peripherally spaced, longitudinally extending strips of sound-absorbing material which are effective to scatter spinning mode acoustic pressure fields to higher order, attenuating modes for improved noise suppression. These strips can be alternated with other strips having a different acoustical impedance, or combined with a longitudinally segmented treatment.

Abstract: An inlet for a gas turbine power plant with a translating annular ring which cooperates with the nose cone to reduce the effective inlet area, serving to reduce compressor noise.