Engine Inlet Cover With Deformable Flange For Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft engine inlet covers are inadequate as they often cause inconsistencies at the leading edge of the housing, fail to protect against maintenance equipment impacts, and cannot effectively prevent moisture and debris entry, leading to increased maintenance costs and wear due to wind milling.
Innovation Solution
A cover system comprising a deformable flange and retaining feature that forms an interference fit with the engine housing, using a sealing system to reduce moisture entry and protect the leading edge from impacts, while being made from materials that absorb kinetic energy and are easy to clean.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard material covers (plastic, fiberglass) are used to cover the engine inlet opening, then the opening is covered and some protection is provided, but inconsistencies form at the leading edge of the housing and the leading edge is not protected from maintenance equipment impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system is divided into two distinct components: a rigid cover structure for covering the opening and a separate deformable flange for protecting the leading edge. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cover system have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The flange is made of deformable material for cushioning impacts at the leading edge, while the main cover structure uses rigid material for effective opening coverage and debris prevention.
2Strength
If rigid cover materials are used, then structural strength is maintained, but kinetic energy from impacts cannot be absorbed effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable flange is positioned at the leading edge before impacts occur to absorb kinetic energy from maintenance equipment or foreign objects. This pre-positioned cushioning prevents direct impacts on the rigid cover structure and housing leading edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover system combines rigid materials (for structural strength and opening coverage) with deformable materials (for impact absorption). This composite approach allows the system to maintain overall strength while providing localized impact protection.
3Ease of operation
If simple cover designs are used, then ease of installation is improved, but moisture and debris entry cannot be effectively prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable flange acts as a flexible sealing element that conformally contacts the housing surface, creating an effective barrier against moisture and debris. The flexibility allows the flange to adapt to surface irregularities and maintain sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering function and sealing function are merged into a single integrated cover system. The rigid cover structure provides the primary barrier while the deformable flange provides both additional sealing and impact protection, eliminating the need for separate sealing components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cover system effectively reduces maintenance costs by preventing inconsistencies and wear, while providing protection against moisture and debris, and absorbing kinetic energy from impacts, thus enhancing the durability and longevity of the aircraft engine components.
Implementation Method 1
The flange is comprised of a deformable material and extends from the structure around a circumference of the structure
Implementation Method 2
The sealing system is configured to reduce moisture entering the opening of the housing into the inlet of the engine
Implementation Method 3
the retaining feature and the flange form a channel configured to receive an end of the housing and form an interference fit with a portion of an interior surface of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A method for covering an end of a housing for an engine. A cover is positioned relative to the end of the housing for the engine. The cover comprises a structure, a flange comprised of a deformable material extending from the structure around a circumference of the structure, and a retaining feature configured to extend from a middle portion of the structure such that the retaining feature and the flange form a channel configured to receive the end of the housing. The cover is moved in a direction towards the end of the housing for the engine such that the retaining feature extends into an inlet of the engine through an opening of the housing to form an interference fit between the retaining feature and a portion of an interior surface of the housing.