An inboard folding engine air intake guard and method of controlling the same

Abstract

The application provides an inlaid folding engine air inlet channel protection device and a control method thereof, which comprises: a plurality of protection fan nets; an inner ring sliding rail arranged on an engine main shaft, an inner side of the protection fan net being connected with the inner ring sliding rail; an outer ring sliding rail arranged on an inner wall of an engine air inlet channel, an outer side of the protection fan net being connected with the outer ring sliding rail; a gear hinge arranged between the protection fan nets, the gear hinge being used for connecting the protection fan nets; and a driving mechanism connected with the gear hinge. The application is applied to the helicopter flight, take-off and landing and near-ground hovering stage, and the metal net filtering mode is used to block the branches and gravel entering the engine by being rolled into the engine air inlet, and the bird strike hazard of near-ground flight to the engine is prevented, so that the engine power can be better protected while the engine compressor blades are protected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of aero-engine protection technology, and in particular relates to an embedded folding engine inlet protection device and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] When a helicopter takes off or lands in an unhardened landing area or hovers near the ground, the rotor downwash and the circulation around the fuselage will pick up a large amount of sand, dust, dirt (rocks, branches, grass leaves, etc.) and other foreign objects from the ground and suck them into the engine intake, causing damage to the engine compressor blades.

[0003] To address this issue, the common domestic and international protection method involves adding a convex metal mesh to the outside of the helicopter engine's air intake, secured with screws. Routine maintenance is performed manually. While blocking foreign objects, the mesh also obstructs engine airflow, reducing engine output power. In the event of an emergency during flight, the screw-attached nature of the traditional mesh prevents the helicopter from escaping the mesh in mid-air, further reducing engine power.

[0004] Currently, the layout and shape of helicopter protective nets vary across different models, but they are generally similar and feature a bypass design. They primarily consist of metal mesh, edge-pressing structures, a supporting frame, and wound metal wires. After installing a protective net, ice will quickly accumulate on the air intake net in icy conditions, blocking the air intake and affecting engine operation. Flying in icy environments requires the additional removal of the protective net. Therefore, when a helicopter with a protective net encounters icy conditions, it must immediately maneuver to escape the icy area. The installation of protective nets poses a safety hazard to helicopters.

[0005] For the reasons mentioned above, the current installation of protective netting not only significantly restricts the helicopter's maneuverability but also increases the daily disassembly and assembly work for maintenance personnel. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, in a first aspect, this application provides an embedded folding engine intake manifold protection device, the protection device comprising:

[0007] Multiple protective fan grilles;

[0008] An inner ring slide rail is mounted on the engine main shaft, and the inner side of the protective fan mesh is connected to the inner ring slide rail;

[0009] An outer ring slide rail is installed on the inner wall of the engine intake manifold, and the outer side of the protective fan mesh is connected to the outer ring slide rail;

[0010] A gear hinge is disposed between the protective fan grilles, and the gear hinge is used to connect the protective fan grilles.

[0011] a driving mechanism connected with the gear hinge;

[0012] The driving mechanism drives the gear hinge, and the gear hinge starts to rotate, thereby driving the inner side and the outer side of the protective fan screen to slide along the inner circle slide rail and the outer circle slide rail respectively, and finally achieving the unfolding or folding of the plurality of protective fan screens.

[0013] Preferably, the inner circle slide rail, the plurality of unfolded protective fan screens and the outer circle slide rail are in the same plane; and the plurality of unfolded protective fan screens can shield the engine air inlet.

[0014] Preferably, the protective fan screen comprises:

[0015] a protective framework;

[0016] a screen surface arranged on the protective framework.

[0017] Preferably, the protective framework comprises an inner frame and an outer frame; and the protective device further comprises:

[0018] an inner rotating shaft sliding block arranged on the inner frame, the inner rotating shaft sliding block being capable of sliding along the inner circle slide rail;

[0019] an outer rotating shaft sliding block arranged on the outer frame, the outer rotating shaft sliding block being capable of sliding along the outer circle slide rail.

[0020] Preferably, the gear hinge comprises:

[0021] a first gear arranged at one end of the outer frame of one protective fan screen;

[0022] a second gear arranged at the other end of the outer frame of another protective fan screen; wherein the first gear and the second gear are driven to achieve the unfolding and folding of the protective fan screens.

[0023] Preferably, the driving mechanism is used to connect the first gear and the second gear, and drive the first gear and / or the second gear.

[0024] Preferably, the protective device further comprises:

[0025] a fixed column, one end of the fixed column being connected with the inner circle slide rail, and the other end of the fixed column being connected with the outer circle slide rail; the fixed column has weak magnetism to magnetically attract and fix the protective fan surface and provide wind protection.

[0026] The outer frame comprises an arc-shaped rocker arm.

[0027] In a second aspect, the application further provides a control method of the embedded folding engine air inlet protective screen, the control method comprising:

[0028] An on-board radio altitude detector acquires a helicopter flight altitude and sends the helicopter flight altitude;

[0029] A driving mechanism receives the helicopter flight altitude;

[0030] If the helicopter flight altitude is greater than a preset altitude, the driving mechanism folds the protective device and converges at the back of the fixed column;

[0031] If the helicopter flight altitude is less than or equal to the preset altitude, the driving mechanism unfolds the protective device to shield the helicopter air inlet.

[0032] In a third aspect, the application further provides a control method of the embedded foldable engine air inlet protective net, and the control method comprises:

[0033] An on-board icing detector acquires a helicopter icing signal and sends the helicopter icing signal;

[0034] A driving mechanism receives the helicopter icing signal and determines the environment where the helicopter is based on the helicopter icing signal;

[0035] If the helicopter is in an icing environment, the driving mechanism folds the protective device and converges at the back of the fixed column;

[0036] If the helicopter is not in an icing environment, the driving mechanism unfolds the protective device to shield the helicopter air inlet.

[0037] In a fourth aspect, the application further provides a control method of the embedded foldable engine air inlet protective net, and the control method comprises:

[0038] If the helicopter is in an icing environment and the flight altitude is less than or greater than a preset altitude, the driving mechanism folds the protective device and converges at the back of the fixed column.

[0039] The application has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0040] The application provides an embedded foldable engine air inlet protective device and a folding and unfolding control method based on the air inlet protective device, which is applied to the flight, take-off and landing and near-ground hovering stages of a helicopter. Through the metal net filtering mode, the device blocks tree branches and stones in the engine bleed air caused by the downward airflow and prevents bird strikes during near-ground flight from damaging the engine. The device can protect the engine pressure blade and the engine power. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] Fig. 1 A fan surface unfolding diagram is provided for the embodiments of the application.

[0042] Fig. 2 Fan face folding map provided for the embodiments of the application in the air inlet;

[0043] Fig. 3 Fan face folding map provided for the embodiments of the application;

[0044] Wherein, 1. outer ring slide rail; 2. inner ring slide rail; 3. fixed column; 4. inner and outer rotating shaft sliding block; 5. protective fan net; 6. arc-shaped rocker arm; 7. driving mechanism; 8. gear hinge. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Please refer to Figs. 1-3 The application provides an embedded foldable engine air inlet protection device and a folding control method based on the air inlet protection device, which is applied to the flight, take-off and landing and near-ground hovering stages of a helicopter, blocks branches and stones entering the engine by filtering through a metal net, prevents bird strikes during near-ground flight from damaging the engine, and protects the engine power while protecting the engine compressor blades.

[0046] The application provides an embedded foldable engine air inlet protection device, which comprises an outer ring slide rail, an inner ring slide rail, a fixed column, inner and outer rotating shaft sliding blocks, a protective fan net, an arc-shaped rocker arm, a gear hinge and a driving mechanism. The device is improved in structure according to the folding mode of the fan, and the automatic folding and unfolding of the protective net are realized by adding an electric mechanism. The embedded foldable engine air inlet protection device comprises 16 protective fan nets, which are embedded into the inner wall of the engine air inlet through the outer ring slide rail and the inner ring slide rail. The outer ring slide rail and the inner ring slide rail are metal slide rails, the outer ring slide rail is embedded into the engine, and the inner ring slide rail is embedded into the engine main shaft. Two fixed columns are connected between the outer ring slide rail and the inner ring slide rail, and the outer ring slide rail, the inner ring slide rail and the fixed column are fixed structures of the protection device.

[0047] Further, the protective fan net is divided into a net surface and a protective framework, the net surface is a 12.5mm*12.5mm aperture steel wire material, which is a main filtering structure of the protection device, and the protective framework is a supporting and shaping structure of the net surface. The inner and outer rotating shaft sliding blocks are respectively arranged at the midpoint positions of the arc-shaped inner and outer edges of the protective fan net, and are divided into rotating shafts and sliding blocks, the rotating shaft end is connected with the midpoint of the arc-shaped inner and outer edges of the protective fan net framework, the fan net rotates around the rotating shaft from the vertical direction of the wind direction to the parallel direction of the wind direction, and the sliding end is embedded into the U-shaped inner and outer ring slide rail track, so that the rotating shaft drives the protective fan net to slide around the engine air inlet inner wall in the track. The inner and outer rotating shaft sliding blocks are connection and movement structures of the protective fan net and the slide rail.

[0048] Further, the driving mechanism powers the protective fan net movement through the gear hinge, and the fan net arc-shaped outer edge two end points protective framework is respectively fixed with a gear, the two gears between adjacent fan nets are meshed to form a gear hinge, the gear hinge drives the fan folding or unfolding under the action of the arc-shaped rocker arm of the fan outer edge protective framework through the same driving mechanism, and the fan movement is realized.

[0049] Further, in the folded state, the 16 arc-shaped fan nets are divided into two groups and converge to the two fixed columns. The fixed column is an electromagnet structure, and in the closed state of the fan, the fixed column is electrified to generate a weak magnetism on the leeward surface, so that the combined and folded fan framework is adsorbed on the leeward surface, and the folded fan is prevented from being accidentally unfolded by the effect of the gap wind resistance.

[0050] Device position relationship

[0051] 1) Install a "U" type outer ring slide rail 1 on the inner wall of the engine air inlet;

[0052] 2) Install a "U" type inner ring slide rail 2 on the engine main shaft;

[0053] 3) Install two "V" type angle bars fixed columns 3 between the outer edges of the outer ring slide rail 1 and the inner ring slide rail 2, and the two fixed columns 3 are 180° apart, the windward surface of the angle bar is a smooth circular arc shape, and the leeward surface is an electromagnet structure in the electrified state;

[0054] 4) The protective device action structure is 16 independent protective fan nets 5, which are composed of protective frameworks and net surfaces;

[0055] 5) The protective fan net is a 22.5° ring fan shape, and the inner and outer arc-shaped edges of the protective framework are provided with rotating shaft sliding blocks 4 at the midpoint positions;

[0056] 6) The protective fan net is fixed on the outer ring slide rail 1 and the inner ring slide rail 2 through the top and bottom rotating shaft sliding blocks 4 and rotates around the sliding blocks;

[0057] 7) The arc-shaped outer edge of the protective fan net 5 is respectively provided with a gear fixed on the protective framework at both ends, and the gears between two adjacent fan surfaces are meshed and connected through the gear hinge 8;

[0058] 8) The meshed gear hinge is combined into a driving mechanism through the driving mechanism;

[0059] 9) The outer edge of the outer arc-shaped edge fan net framework of the protective fan net 5 serves as an arc-shaped rocker arm 6;

[0060] 10) One driving mechanism 7 is installed between two protective fan nets 5 to control the 90° unfolding and converging movement of the two adjacent arc-shaped rocker arms 6.

[0061] Device use method

[0062] The application also provides a control method of the embedded foldable engine air inlet channel protection device, which is based on the engine air inlet channel protection device and comprises the following steps.

[0063] 1) Height control

[0064] The height of the engine air inlet channel protection device is controlled according to the height from the ground and the degree of dust raising when the helicopter lands;

[0065] The helicopter radio height detector monitors the real-time height of the helicopter;

[0066] When the helicopter is close to the ground, the radio height detector identifies that the height of the helicopter from the ground is less than or equal to the preset height, and the signal processing mechanism judges to send an "unfolding" instruction to the engine air inlet channel protection device;

[0067] The electromagnetic iron on the leeward surface of the fixed column is powered off, and the protection fan net framework absorbed on the leeward surface of the electromagnetic iron loses the magnetic attraction force;

[0068] The engine air inlet channel protection device driving mechanism receives the "unfolding" instruction to drive the gear hinge to engage;

[0069] The 16 pieces of protection fan nets are divided into two groups and are pulled by the arc-shaped rocker arms connected with the gear hinge, the net surface rotates around the rotating shaft of the sliding block, and the sliding block is constrained in the sliding rail, so that the fan surface is unfolded along the inner and outer circle sliding rails;

[0070] When the fan surface reaches the unfolded position, the engine air inlet channel protection device is unfolded;

[0071] When the radio height detector identifies that the height of the helicopter from the ground is greater than the preset height, the signal processing mechanism judges to send a "closing" instruction to the engine air inlet channel protection device, and the device fan surface is folded.

[0072] 2) Icing control

[0073] When the icing detector collects the icing signal, the signal processing mechanism judges to send a "closing" instruction to the engine air inlet channel protection device;

[0074] The engine air inlet channel protection device driving mechanism receives the "closing" instruction to drive the gear hinge to engage;

[0075] The 16 pieces of protection fan nets are pulled by the arc-shaped rocker arms connected with the gear hinge, the net surface rotates around the rotating shaft of the sliding block, and the sliding block is constrained in the sliding rail, so that the fan surface is folded towards the fixed column;

[0076] The electromagnetic iron on the leeward surface of the "V"-shaped angle material of the fixed column is powered on, and one side of the protection fan net framework is absorbed on the leeward surface of the electromagnetic iron;

[0077] 16 pieces of fan face each continuous 8 pieces of the windward face position corresponding to the fixed column, the engine inlet protection device is closed completely;

[0078] When the icing detector collects the disappearance of the icing signal, the computer sends the "deployment" signal to the engine protection net, and the protection fan net is deployed in turn to realize the protection effect.

[0079] 3) Embodiment

[0080] Since the helicopter engine inlet directly affects the engine power size, further affects the helicopter power system, and thus endangers the safety of the helicopter. Therefore, in the icing environment, the inlet protection device should be retracted first to avoid the attachment and expansion of ice crystals on the protection net surface and block the engine inlet. Therefore, the icing detection signal is prior to the helicopter radio detection height signal. When the helicopter is less than the preset height value, and the helicopter is hovering or flying near the ground, and encounters an icing environment, the logic inlet protection device should be immediately retracted until the icing environment is eliminated, and the engine inlet protection net fan is re-deployed after the icing detector icing signal disappears.

[0081] Key points of the application

[0082] 1) The embedded folding protection device is installed at the front of the engine main shaft and embedded in the inlet. The protection fan face imitates the folding fan principle, and is driven by the connection of the rotating shaft sliding block and the gear hinge driving mechanism to drive the fan face to fold, which is different from the traditional outward convex net structure.

[0083] 2) The embedded folding protection device has three-dimensional folded blades converging at the leeward surface of the fixed column and being fixed by the electromagnetic effect of the fixed column. The windward surface of the fixed column plays a role in blocking wind and flow regulation for the gap of the folded fan face, so that the airflow introduced into the engine is separated after passing through the fixed column, avoiding the airflow directly blowing on the side edge of the folded fan face and causing the fan face to be affected by wind force and re-deployed, which affects the folding effect.

[0084] 3) The embedded folding protection device is opened during take-off, landing, near-ground flight and near-ground hovering, and after reaching the preset height, the radio altimeter sends a signal, the driving mechanism receives the signal, the gear is engaged, the force of the gear is transmitted through the arc-shaped rocker arm to drive the fan face to rotate around the rotating shaft sliding block and fold, and the windward area of the folded protection net changes from a complete ring-shaped circular face to the cross-sectional area of the two fixed columns. The influence of the folded protection net on the engine inlet is greatly reduced, the engine suction is restored, and the engine power is further restored.

[0085] 4) The embedded folding protection device is suitable for icing environment, and there is no need for manual disassembly when the engine suddenly encounters an icing environment in flight state, which meets the needs of helicopter use in all regions.

[0086] 1) In the present application, through the setting of outer ring slide rail, inner ring slide rail, fixed column, inner and outer rotating shaft slide block, protective fan net, arc-shaped rocker arm, gear hinge, driving mechanism and control unit, the deployment and closing of the engine air inlet channel protection device can be controlled according to the flight height and environment of the helicopter, which can effectively protect the engine compressor blades from damage by sand and other foreign objects, better ensure the effective conversion of engine power and ensure the normal operation of the engine air inlet channel in icing conditions.

[0087] 2) The present application changes the limitation that the traditional protective net cannot be automatically folded after installation. The protective device is automatically folded in three dimensions through the change of the height of the helicopter, which reduces the windward area of the engine air inlet channel during the flight stage above the preset height, and realizes the normal output of engine power.

[0088] 3) The opening and closing of the protective net in the present application is automatically controlled through the control of the height of the helicopter and the icing parameters, which reduces the manual work of disassembling and installing the protective net.

[0089] 4) In the present application, the helicopter converges the protective fan net in the icing environment through the control of the icing detection signal, which avoids the increase of the ice crystal condensation and adhesion area of the protective net surface when the traditional protective net passes through the icing environment, and the icing of the air inlet channel is aggravated, which meets the flight use in icing conditions and realizes the full-area flight requirement of the helicopter.

Claims

1. An inboard, folded engine inlet duct shield characterized by, The protection device comprises: a plurality of protection fan screens; an inner ring slide rail arranged on the main shaft of the engine, the inner side of the protection fan screen being connected to the inner ring slide rail; an outer ring slide rail arranged on the inner wall of the engine air inlet, the outer side of the protection fan screen being connected to the outer ring slide rail; a gear hinge arranged between the protection fan screens, the gear hinge being used to connect the protection fan screens; a driving mechanism connected to the gear hinge; wherein the driving mechanism drives the gear hinge to start rotating, thereby driving the inner side and the outer side of the protection fan screen to slide along the inner ring slide rail and the outer ring slide rail respectively, and finally realizing the unfolding or folding of the plurality of protection fan screens.

2. The guard of claim 1, wherein The inner ring slide rail, the unfolded plurality of protection fan screens and the outer ring slide rail are in the same plane; the unfolded plurality of protection fan screens can shield the engine air inlet.

3. The guard of claim 1, wherein The protection fan screen comprises: a protection framework; a screen surface arranged on the protection framework.

4. The guard of claim 3, wherein The protection framework comprises an inner frame and an outer frame; the protection device further comprises: an inner rotating shaft slide block arranged on the inner frame, the inner rotating shaft slide block being capable of sliding along the inner ring slide rail; an outer rotating shaft slide block arranged on the outer frame, the outer rotating shaft slide block being capable of sliding along the outer ring slide rail.

5. The guard of claim 4, wherein, The gear hinge comprises: a first gear arranged at one end of the outer frame of one protection fan screen; a second gear arranged at the other end of the outer frame of another protection fan screen; wherein the first gear and the second gear are driven to realize the unfolding and folding of the protection fan screens.

6. The guard of claim 5, wherein, The driving mechanism is used to connect the first gear and the second gear, and drive the first gear and / or the second gear.

7. The guard of claim 6, wherein The protection device further comprises: a fixed column, one end of the fixed column being connected to the inner ring slide rail and the other end of the fixed column being connected to the outer ring slide rail; the fixed column has weak magnetism to magnetically attract and fix the protection fan screen and provide wind protection; the outer frame comprises an arc-shaped rocker arm.

8. A method of controlling an inboard folding engine inlet duct guard, the method comprising: The control method is applied to the protection device of claim 1, and the control method comprises: an on-board radio height detector acquiring the flight height of the helicopter and sending the flight height of the helicopter; a driving mechanism receiving the flight height of the helicopter; if the flight height of the helicopter is greater than a preset height, the driving mechanism folds the protection device and converges on the back of the fixed column; if the flight height of the helicopter is less than or equal to the preset height, the driving mechanism unfolds the protection device to shield the air inlet of the helicopter.

9. A method of controlling an inboard folding engine inlet duct guard, the method comprising: The control method is applied to the protection device of claim 1, and the control method comprises: an on-board icing detector acquiring the icing signal of the helicopter and sending the icing signal of the helicopter; a driving mechanism receiving the icing signal of the helicopter and determining the environment in which the helicopter is located based on the icing signal of the helicopter; if the helicopter is in an icing environment, the driving mechanism folds the protection device and converges on the back of the fixed column; if the helicopter is not in an icing environment, the driving mechanism unfolds the protection device to shield the air inlet of the helicopter.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized by, The control method comprises: If the helicopter is in icing environment, and the flight height is less than or greater than the preset height, the driving mechanism folds the protective device and converges on the back of the fixed column.

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