Abstract: The present invention relates to an air inlet cowl (9) for a jet engine. According to the invention, provided in the partition (20) delimiting the de-icing chamber (21) in the hollow leading edge (16) of the cowl is a trough-shaped duct (22) for ejecting to the outside pressurized hot air which has flowed through the chamber (21). The duct (22) is reduced in cross section by a single oblong orifice (18) made, parallel to the leading edge (16), in a part (23) that forms part of the external surface (9E) of the cowl (9).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air inlet cowl (9) for a jet engine, especially for an aircraft. According to the invention, the diffuser (12) of hot air for de-icing, arranged in the hollow leading edge (16) of the cowl (9) is in the form of a polygonal ring and is fixed by elastic support tabs (24) each equipped with a ball joint (25) holding a straight portion (22) of the polygonal ring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a duct assembly for conducting compressed air from a fixed component to a component that is movable with respect to the fixed component. The duct assembly contains at least two telescoping, tubular conduit sections with seals between adjacent sections. An upstream transitional joint rotatably interconnects the outermost conduit section with an air supply duct, while a downstream transitional joint rotatably interconnects the innermost conduit section with an air delivery duct. A tubular double-wall spaced apart from the inner surface of the innermost conduit section forms an annular airspace between the tubular double-wall and the innermost conduit section. A second double-wall forms a second annular airspace between its downstream end and the upstream transitional joint. The annular airspaces created by the double-walls protect the seals.

Abstract: A deicer comprises a skin heating means immediately subjacent an outer skin overlying an apex of a leading edge, and a skin deflection means immediately subjacent the outer skin chordwise aft of the apex. The skin heating means prevents the formation of ice over the apex and the skin deflection means deflects the outer skin to expulse ice formed chordwise aft of the apex.

Abstract: Disclosed is a slidable duct assembly for conducting air from a fixed component to a component that is movable with respect to the fixed component by conducting air from a fixed supply of air, associated with the fixed component, to an air delivery member, movable along with the movable component. The duct assembly contains at least two metallic telescoping, tubular conduit sections for rotatably interconnecting the air supply to the air delivery member, and a pair of electrically-conductible, spaced-apart slide bearings positioned between the inner surface and the outer surface of each adjacent conduit section to electrically bond the duct assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressurized, slidable duct assembly for conducting compressed air from a fixed component to a component that is movable with respect to the fixed component. The duct assembly has at least three metallic, telescoping, tubular conduit sections rotatably interconnecting an air supply duct to an air delivery duct. An upstream slide bearing and a spaced-apart downstream slide bearing are disposed between each pair of opposing inner and outer conduit section surfaces. Disposed between each set of upstream and downstream slide bearings is a seal to substantially prevent the escape of air from the duct assembly. A stop located between each seal and downstream slide bearing axially positions the conduit sections when the duct assembly is fully extended.

Abstract: 058410796 In accordance with the present invention, in an air vehicle having a turbo engine including an inlet which receives intake airflow and is defined by an inner surface and a D-nose of the turbo engine, there is provided an inlet liner for improved acoustic, anti-ice and drag performance. The inlet liner is provided with a permeable acoustic layer formed to attenuate sound and defines the D-nose. The inlet liner is further provided with a pressurized fluid injecting device. The pressurized fluid injecting device is in fluid communication with the permeable acoustic layer and formed to inject fluid through the permeable acoustic layer at the D-nose to reduce drag of the intake airflow. The pressurized fluid injecting device is further formed to inject fluid through the permeable acoustic layer at a temperature sufficient to perform an anti-ice function at the D-nose.

Abstract: A leading edge structure for an aircraft has an outer wall, an inner wall disposed within the outer wall and including a partition with, the outer wall, the inner wall and the partition jointly defining a hot-air chamber, and a plurality of flow-rectifying fins or disposed in the hot-air chamber and compartmentalizing the hot-air chamber into a plurality of hot-air passages. The outer wall and the flow-rectifying fins are made of a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin and joined to each other by curing. The inner wall and the partition comprise a single component which is made of a fiber-reinforced synthetic resin, and being bonded to the outer wall. Alternatively, the inner wall and the partition are separate from each other and are joined to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for de-icing an aircraft of the type having wings and fuel storage in the wings. Hot fuel is provided for fueling the aircraft. The hot fuel is at elevated temperatures which are sufficiently high enough to transfer heat from the fuel, through a fuel tank extending within the wings, and to the exterior of the wings to de-ice the aircraft. A storage tank stores the fuel, and a heater heats the fuel to elevated temperatures. An intermediate thermal transfer system having a secondary thermal fluid transfers heat from a primary power source to the fuel. Further, a substantial volume of the secondary thermal fuel may be maintained at elevated temperatures to provide a sufficient thermal reserve capacity for heating the fuel upon demand.

Abstract: A composite fabric electro-expulsive blanket is provided for shattering and removing ice and other fungible material from an accretion surface such as an airfoil. The blanket includes composite fabric upper and lower layers having a modulus of elasticity approximately between 10 to 100 million psi. Upper and lower conductor segments are positioned within the blanket so that when electrically energized, they repel one another so as to rapidly set the outer ice-accreting surface into motion. Bowed or loose stitches connecting the outer and inner layers become taut during the motion of the ice-accretion surface, thereby rapidly decelerating the surface and shattering accumulated ice thereon. Slits in the outer layer limit undesired hoop stress.

Abstract: A system for removing and/or preventing ice build-up on an aircraft includes at least one heat exchanger mounted within an aperture in the tailpipe of a gas turbine engine. The heat exchanger includes an inner plate having a surface which faces inwardly into the tailpipe and which is in direct contact with the heated exhaust gas in the tailpipe, and an outer plate with a surface facing outwardly from the tailpipe and in direct contact with a cooler air stream passing around the turbine engine core. A series of heat exchange fins are formed on the inner plate to direct exhaust gas across the inner plate, and a series of heat exchange fins are formed on the outer plate to direct the cooler air across the outer plate. Heat transfer fluid flows between the inner plate and the outer plate and absorbs heat energy from the exhaust gas. The heat transfer fluid flows through a filter, accumulator and pump system to heat transfer structure integral with the exposed portions of the aircraft.

Abstract: In an aircraft deicer comprising a reservoir and a pump connected to the reservoir through a first conduit, the pump operating to circulate a fluid contained within the reservoir throughout at least a portion of the deicer, the improvement comprising: a jet pump located in the first conduit between the reservoir and the pump for increasing the pressure of the fluid within the first conduit between the jet pump and the pump; the jet pump comprising a tubular body portion having an inlet end and a discharge end and a nozzle located within the body portion between the inlet end and the discharge end; and a second conduit extending from a discharge end of the pump to the nozzle; whereby fluid from the discharge end of the pump is injected into the fluid flowing from the reservoir through the jet pump.

Abstract: An aircraft structural component comprising a forward compartment formed by a forward bulkhead and a skin structure which extends forwardly of the forward bulkhead and which has an outer surface, and a rear compartment formed between the forward bulkhead and a rear bulkhead. A supply duct extends through the rear compartment and into the forward compartment for the delivery thereto of pressurized hot gases for distribution over the inner surface of the skin structure. A protective shroud duct surrounds the supply duct, extends from the rear bulkhead to the forward bulkhead and forms an annular space between the protective shroud duct and the supply duct. The annular space is closed off at its rear end at the rear bulkhead and throughout its length within the rear compartment by the protective shroud duct and is open at its forward end for gaseous communication with the forward compartment. A discharge duct extends from the forward compartment to atmosphere.

Abstract: An anti-icing system for a nacelle of a gas turbine powerplant is disclosed. Various construction details have been developed which provide means to exhaust fluid from an inlet shell cavity and into an external medium. In one embodiment, the exhaust means (62) includes a plurality of aerodynamically shaped vanes (66) disposed within the inlet shell cavity (52) and a plurality of exhaust slots (68) wherein each of the vanes is adjacent one of the exhaust slots. The vanes are adapted to turn a portion of the body of fluid flowing within the inlet shell cavity to a direction substantially normal to the direction of flow of the external medium.

Abstract: A capillary-tube energy-exchange system for transferring energy to or from an aircraft surface is comprised of inlet and exhaust manifolds interconnected by a plurality of Teflon capillary tubes. Fluid, either liquid or gas, is transferred from the inlet manifold through the capillary tubes to the exhaust manifold. During the fluid's flow, energy is transferred, typically from a warm fluid to an outer skin, in order to protect the aircraft's surface from ice accretions. The capillary tubes may be connected directly to ports formed in the manifolds; or, preferably, a chamber may be formed between the manifolds and the ends of the capillary tubes in order to transfer fluid therethrough. The energy-exchange system may be either an open or closed system.

Abstract: Hollow inlet guide vanes in the air intake of a gas turbine engine are supplied with pressurized bleed air. The interior of the vanes are provided with orifices through which the bleed air must flow, and those orifices are tuned to a desired frequency which sets up vane vibrations. This arrangement provides deicing by both the supply of heated bleed air which impinges on the selected areas of the vanes and by the vibrations which are set up in the vanes, and it does so simply with the use of the bleed air.

Abstract: Thermal anti-icing systems for aircraft and methods for fabricating such systems. The anti-icing systems have an integrated one-piece skin with passageways formed therein to supply a heated fluid to that portion of an aircraft structure where anti-icing is desired. The anti-icing system also has an integrated or separately supplied manifold for routing heating fluid to the anti-icing system flow passages. The anti-icing system can be used in the leading edges of such aircraft structures as wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, inboard and outboard slats, engine struts, and engine cowls. A method for fabricating of aircraft structures with integral anti-icing systems of the character just described is also disclosed.

Abstract: A deicing system for leading edges of an aircraft. There is a hot air supply tube extending along the leading edge, a fan to move air through the tube, compressor to heat the air that is moved through the tube, and pressure release valves. The hot air is discharged from openings in the tube to spray against the internal surfaces of the wall forming the leading edge.

Abstract: A slip ring assembly having a slip ring holder made of a composite dielectric material reinforced by layers of fabric is molded with the slip rings positioned in the mold, or alternately, grooves are machined in the holder for receiving the slip rings. The holder has at least one flange for mounting the assembly on a rotating part such as a spinner bulkhead of an aircraft propeller assembly. Slip rings are adhered to the composite material of the holder as a result of molding, or use of an adhesive where the grooves are machined in the holder.The metallic wire connections fastened to the slip rings by welding also serve to hold the slip rings in the grooves of the holder. The wire connections may have pins for receiving mating receptacles. Openings in the ends of the metallic wire connections are suitable for crimping wire connectors to the deicers or deicer terminals.

Abstract: An anti-icing management system for a gas turbine engine according to which, at all times, only the required amount of heat is applied to inlet surfaces of the engine to prevent the formation of ice. Heated air is bled from the compressor discharge, or from some other suitable heat source, for this purpose. The amount of flow of the heated air is adjusted by an electronic control responsive to the temperature of the anti-iced engine inlet surfaces directly in the path of incoming air. The electronic control may be effective to admit flow of the heated air to the region to be heated when a separate ice detector determines the presence of ice and so informs the control.

Abstract: A thermal modulating control valve adapted for supplying thermal modulated bleed air for an aircraft anti-icing system comprises a valve body having an inlet adapted to be supplied with bleed air from a separate source and an anti-icing outlet for supplying thermal modulated bleed air for operating an aircraft anti-icing system. The thermal modulating valve is mounted in the body in communication with the inlet and outlet for supplying bleed air at a regulated flow rate which is reduced in response to increased temperature of the bleed air supplied to the valve. The thermal modulating valve includes at least one annular seating ring having a central bore and mounted on a support element, and the seating ring includes an annular ring sleeve spaced outwardly of the support element having at least one radial annular face concentrically mounted on the support element.

Abstract: Damage to the skin of the annular cowl (11) of the intake duct of a turbo-fan engine of an aircraft by exhausting on to it of hot air used within the cowl for de-icing its leading edge (10) is avoided by channelling spent air through an exhaust duct (15) to an exhaust aperture (21) in the surface of the cowl, and providing a heat shield (23) in the skin downstream of the exhaust aperture (21).

Abstract: A leading edge/anti-icing assembly for an airfoil comprising a leading edge slat having a nose section defining a heat exchange chamber. Anti-icing air directed into the heat exchange chamber flows rearwardly through the slat so as to have a deicing function, and is then discharged in a rearward direction from the trailing edge of the slat. Thus, the anti-icing air not only performs an anti-icing function over the upper surface of the slat, but also contributes to anti-icing over the upper surface portion of the main wing rearwardly of the trailing edge of the slat.

Abstract: A deicing system for leading edges of an aircraft. There is a hot air supply tube extending along the leading edge, a fan to move air through the tube, an electric heater to heat the air that is moved through the tube, and pressure release valves. The hot air is discharged from openings in the tube to spray against the internal surfaces of the wall forming the leading edge. In another embodiment, an electric heater is not used, but there is a compressor which in compressing the air raises the air temperature to accomplish the deicing.

Abstract: A nacelle anti-icing system for a jet engine and a method for preventing icing of the nacelle. The nacelle anti-icing system includes a nose cowling assembly having a nose ring and an inlet duct connected to the nose ring, the nose ring including a plurality of openings formed therein; a nose cowling conduit positioned in the nose ring for communicating a heated gas to the plurality of openings formed in the nose ring and for creating a heated gas boundary layer on the inlet duct, and a mechanism connected to the nose cowling conduit for generating the heated gas. The method includes the steps of feeding a heated gas through the nose cowling conduit and through a plurality of openings formed in the nose ring and generating a heated gas boundary layer on the inlet duct so as to heat the inlet duct.

Abstract: The duct (16) which delivers hot air (F) to the inside surface of the leading edge of a turbo-fan inlet cowl, for de-icing of the leading edge (11), is made double-walled (16,21) in order to safeguard from overheating the materials from which the cowl is constructed in the event of rupture of the duct. Preferably the flow of hot air in the outer duct blows open a hinged door (26) in the skin (10) of the cowl to provide a visual indication of the rupture of the inner duct. The outer duct can be made narrow enough to maintain working pressure in the inner duct after rupture.

Abstract: An anti-icing pressurized air distribution duct system for deployable wing slats wherein mutually telescoping transfer ducts interconnecting a longitudinal wing slat spray duct and a longitudinal wing supply duct, with bearing and seal means fixed on the inner transfer duct to bear slidably against the outer duct interior and remaining protected within the outer duct throughout slat extension and retraction.

Abstract: An anti-icing pressurized air distribution duct system for deployable wing slats wherein mutually telescoping transfer ducts interconnecting a longitudinal wing slat spray duct and a longitudinal wing supply duct, with bearing and seal means fixed on the inner transfer duct to bear slidably against the outer duct interior and remaining protected within the outer duct throughout slat extension and retraction. Spaced slide bearings with a sliding seal mounted between them provide telescoping duct stability with wear protection.

Abstract: In a device for breaking up ice formed on a contoured surface before it reaches a dangerous thickness, a flexible and porous membrane is fixed on the contoured surface along airtight lines of contact defining elementary chambers, each of which communicates with a main chamber inside the contoured surface. The main chamber is fed continuously by a source of hot gases. The closing up of the pores of the membrane by ice causes an inflation of the elementary chambers and a deformation of the membrane. Application is to the cowl of the air intake of a turbojet engine and to a detector used for the control of a de-icing device of any type.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for de-icing the leading edges of airfoil sections of aircraft embodies a closed circuit conduit having a heat conductive section extending along the leading edge of each airfoil section. The rear side of each heat conductive section is secured to and insulated from its leading edge while the leading side of each heat conductive section defines an exposed, heat emitting surface. A heated liquid is circulated through the closed circuit conduit at a temperature and flow rate to cause heat to be emitted from the heat emitting surface to dislodge ice accumulated thereon as the liquid is cooled.

Abstract: Hot compressed air is bled from the compressor of an engine and a portion of it is directed through a flow through type indirect heat exchanger of ring form located within an annular chamber in the engine cowl which is partially formed by lip surfaces of the inlet. Such air gives up heat to low pressure air within such chamber which carries the heat to the inlet surfaces. The compressed air is then removed from the heat exchanger and is admixed with additional hot compressed air. A part of the mixture is delivered to a wing TAI subsystem and a second portion is used for cabin conditioning and pressurization.

Abstract: An elongated air scoop integrated with the engine housing for a jet prop powered aircraft is provided with a thin tubular metal manifold loop fitted to the open forward end of the air scoop and the hot exhaust gas bled from the engine exhaust system is continuously fed through the tubular loop which forms a hot defrost lip for the air scoop.

Abstract: An improved boundary layer control system is particularly useful in applications where controlled air is to be injected into a boundary layer region adjacent to a surface of an aircraft wing. The controlled air is obtained from an air source having a temperature and a pressure which are substantially greater than ambient temperature and pressure, such as that obtained from a jet engine bleed air source. A number of manifolds are located in spanwise arrangement along the wing and serve to conduct the air from the source to a plurality of nozzle penums, each of which includes a plurality of spanwise-spaced apertures for injecting air into a portion of the boundary layer region. The manifolds are interconnected by compressible bellows and are mounted so that respective inboard ends are fixed and respective outboard ends are free to move longitudinally.

Abstract: The leading edge of the jet engine nacelle is provided with structure to prevent the formation of ice particles at the inlet of the jet engine. The nacelle is split into leading and trailing chambers and there is a partition separating the chambers, the leading one of which includes the anti-icing apparatus. The leading chamber includes a double skin generally facing interiorly toward the jet engine and that double skin defines the nacelle therebetween which permits the passage of the hot gases which heat the outer skin from the inside thereof. Conduit means controllably pass hot exhaust gases from the jet engine to within the leading chamber from where they pass into a cell via a series of spaced apertures formed in the inner double skin. A series of spaced channels are formed between the inner and outer skins and connect the leading and trailing chambers.

Abstract: A bulkhead structure for separating two compartments in an aircraft engine inlet cowl or the like and for promoting fluid flow between the compartments is described which comprises a first flanged member having a first flange attached to the periphery of the bulkhead and a second flange having in a surface thereof a plurality of corrugations extending across the width of the second flange, and a second flanged member having a first flange presenting a first surface for attachment to the walls defining the compartments separated by the bulkhead and presenting a second surface attached to the second flange of the first flanged member for defining with the corrugations a corresponding plurality of passageways past the bulkhead at the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A system for circulating heated gases within the circular leading edge of a jet engine housing to prevent ice build-up thereon, or to remove accumulated ice thereform. Hot gases such as air from a hot, high pressure section of the jet-engine are directed through a conduit. The conduit enters the annular leading edge housing, usually from the aft side through a bulkhead, then turns about 90.degree. to a direction tangential to the leading edge annulus. The hot gases exiting the tube entrain the cooler air in the housing, causing a much larger mass of air to swirl circularly around the annular housing. The entering hot gasses heat the mass of air to an intermediate, but still relatively hot, temperature. This large mass of circularly moving hot air is quite efficient in uniformly transferring heat to the skin of the leading edge without leaving any relatively cold areas and preventing the formation of ice thereon.