Air Intake Slide Valve for Tiltrotor Spillage Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air intake systems in vehicles like tiltrotor aircraft face efficiency and power reduction due to air escaping through inlet barrier filters and associated ducting geometry, leading to spillage drag that decreases maximum airspeed and overall performance.
Innovation Solution
The air intake system incorporates a slide valve and filter door mechanism that allows selection of airflow paths to maximize engine intake pressure and minimize spillage drag, using direct laser sintered metal components and additive manufacturing for efficient airflow management, enabling operation in various modes by controlling airflow through the inlet barrier filter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air inlet barrier filters are used to reduce particulate matter, then engine protection from foreign objects is improved, but engine efficiency and power are reduced due to air escaping through the filters and ducting geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs movable filter doors that can dynamically open or close to control airflow paths. In hover mode, the filter doors remain closed to protect the engine from foreign objects. In high-speed mode, the filter doors open to allow unfiltered airflow, eliminating spillage drag and maximizing engine power. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between protection and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The air intake system is segmented into multiple independent airflow paths: a filtered path through the barrier filters and an unfiltered bypass path. The bypass door and filter doors can independently control each path, allowing the system to select the optimal path for current operating conditions, thus resolving the trade-off between filtration and efficiency.
2Reliability
If air is forced out through the inlet barrier filter, then filtration is maintained, but spillage drag increases and maximum airspeed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The filter doors dynamically adjust based on flight mode. During high-speed flight, the filter doors open to prevent air from being forced through the filters, eliminating spillage drag and allowing maximum airspeed. During hover or low-speed operation, the filter doors close to maintain filtration effectiveness. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between filtration and speed.
3Reliability
If a fixed airflow path through the barrier filter is used, then particulate matter is reduced, but device complexity increases and adaptability to different operating modes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake system is divided into separate controllable segments: barrier filters, filter doors, bypass door, and slide valve. Each segment can be independently controlled to create different airflow configurations suitable for various operating modes (hover, high-speed, transition), providing adaptability while maintaining filtration capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The air intake system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated structure that can operate in different configurations. The same barrier filters and ducting serve both as protection during hover and as part of an adjustable airflow management system during high-speed flight, reducing the need for separate systems for different modes.
Data Source
AI summary
An air intake system (AIS) has a plenum and an inlet barrier filter associated with the plenum, through which air can selectively enter the plenum. The AIS also has an inlet duct associated with the plenum, through which air can selectively enter the plenum. The AIS also has a bypass door associated with the inlet duct, the bypass door being configured to selectively change an amount of air allowed to pass through the inlet duct. The AIS also has a filter airflow change device configured to change an amount of airflow allowed through the inlet barrier filter.