Collapsible Engine Inlet Cover for Full Ground Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine inlet covers are bulky, difficult to install, require multiple people, and do not cover the entire inlet, necessitating additional cleaning and posing risks during installation on rotating engines.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, collapsible cover with a frame of interconnected arms and a web that can be easily installed by a single person, covering the entire engine inlet without touching the fan or nose cone, and securely anchored to the engine housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional engine inlet covers are used, then the engine inlet can be covered, but the cover is bulky and difficult to carry on smaller aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple collapsible arms that can be folded together, transforming a large rigid structure into a compact portable form factor suitable for smaller aircraft
Solution Approach 2:
The cover transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic collapsible structure that can change its volume and shape, allowing it to be both large when deployed and compact when stored
2Reliability
If traditional engine inlet covers are used, then the engine inlet can be covered, but multiple ladders or lifts/stands are necessary to complete the installation
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into multiple arms that can be independently positioned and collapsed, allowing installation from ground level without requiring ladders or lifts
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible arms can be dynamically adjusted during installation, enabling the cover to be assembled and positioned without additional equipment
3Ease of operation
If the cover is designed to be positioned inside the inlet in front of the engine fan, then installation is simplified, but the entire engine inlet is not covered requiring additional cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The cover structure integrates both the inlet coverage function and the fan protection function into a single unified structure, eliminating the need for separate components or additional cleaning operations
4Ease of operation
If some engine covers are designed to rest on part of the rotating engine turbomachinery, then the cover can be supported, but this is problematic in windy scenarios where the engine fan may be rotating
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is extracted from the cover itself and transferred to the engine housing, allowing the cover to rest on stationary structures rather than rotating components
Solution Approach 2:
The engine housing serves as an intermediary support structure, providing a stable stationary base for the cover without requiring direct contact with rotating fan blades
Data Source
AI summary
An engine inlet cover and a method for covering an engine inlet are provided. A method for covering an engine inlet includes providing a collapsible cover comprising a connection pin defining an axis; a frame including interconnected arms; and a web. Further, the method includes storing the collapsible cover in a stowed configuration in which the arms are aligned. Also, the method includes rotating the arms from the stowed configuration to an operating configuration in which the arms are radially spaced about the axis, enclosing the frame in the operating configuration with the web to define an interior volume, and placing the cover over the engine inlet.