Inflatable Engine Intake Cover With Dryer Access for Airtight Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine protection covers for aircraft and spacecraft fail to effectively control moisture and air humidity, and are difficult to adapt to different engine types, while also being susceptible to foreign object debris during handling and storage.

Innovation Solution

An inflatable air intake cover with an airtight seal and access opening for connecting a dryer, along with inflatable C-ducts and exhaust nozzle covers, designed to fit specific engine dimensions, and features like handles, safety lines, and valves for easy installation and humidity control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If PVC tarpaulin covers or inflatable plugs are used to protect engine intake and exhaust, then protection against foreign object debris is achieved, but control and reduction of moisture and air humidity inside the engine becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against foreign object debrisVSAvoidcontrol and reduction of moisture and air humidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple functional zones: a main body portion for FOD protection, and a separate access opening with a removable panel for humidity control. This segmentation allows the cover to simultaneously provide sealed protection while enabling access for drying operations without compromising the overall sealing integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An access opening with a removable panel acts as an intermediary mechanism between the sealed cover and the drying system. This intermediary allows connection of drying tubes or passage of desiccants into the engine interior while maintaining the airtight seal when the panel is closed, resolving the contradiction between sealed protection and moisture control access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If known covers are used for engine protection, then foreign object debris protection is provided, but adaptation to different engine types becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against foreign object debrisVSAvoidadaptation to different engine types

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cover incorporates an inflatable structure that can dynamically adjust its shape and size to match different engine intake and exhaust geometries. This dynamic adaptability allows a single cover design to be used across multiple engine types while maintaining effective sealing and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cover's physical parameters (volume, shape, dimensions) can be changed by adjusting the inflation level, allowing it to conform to different engine configurations. This parameter variability enables universal application across various engine types without requiring multiple specialized cover designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If access opening is added to the cover for dryer connection, then humidity control is enabled, but airtight sealing may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidity control through dryer connectionVSAvoidairtight sealing integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The access opening is equipped with a removable panel that can be closed and sealed after the drying operation is completed. This preliminary sealing action ensures that the airtight integrity of the cover is restored immediately after humidity control, preventing moisture re-entry while maintaining the benefit of accessible humidity control during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Provides airtight sealing to prevent moisture and foreign object debris, allows easy installation, and reduces humidity through integrated drying systems, enhancing engine protection during storage and handling.

Implementation Method 1

an air intake cover (1) being inflatable to correspond to the internal dimension of the air intake (10) for airtight sealing the same

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

for attaching or passing through an air dryer for drying the air inside the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDrying: Desorption

Data Source

PatentUS12516625B2Engine protection cover device for airtight sealing an engine of an aircraft or spacecraft

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

An engine protection cover device for airtight sealing an engine of an aircraft or spacecraft includes an air intake cover being inflatable to correspond to the internal dimension of the air intake for airtight sealing the same, wherein the air intake cover includes an airtight sealable access opening for attaching or passing through an air dryer for drying the air inside the engine. An aircraft or spacecraft is disclosed with such an engine protection cover device.