Inlet Guide Vanes for Rapid In-Flight Engine Restart
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines, particularly in VTOL aircraft, face inefficiencies during part-power operations in cruise mode, leading to higher fuel consumption and slower engine restart times, which are critical for safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The system controls ram airflow into the engine inlet using engine inlet guide vanes or hinged-door configurations, managed by a flight control computer, to optimize engine RPM during in-flight restarts, ensuring rapid engine spin-up before starter engagement, thus reducing fuel consumption and improving restart times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine operates at part-power during cruise mode, then fuel efficiency is improved, but engine restart time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet guide vanes are positioned in advance to optimize airflow for rapid engine restart. Before engine shutdown, the system pre-configures the inlet guide vanes to a position that will facilitate quick windmilling and restart, eliminating the need for airflow reconfiguration during the restart sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet guide vanes are made dynamically adjustable during flight operations. The system can change vane positioning based on operational mode (cruise vs. restart), allowing optimization of both fuel efficiency during cruise and rapid restart capability when needed.
2Speed
If inlet guide vanes are used to manage ram airflow, then engine restart speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet guide vanes serve multiple functions: they optimize airflow during cruise operation for fuel efficiency, enable rapid engine windmilling and restart, and can be configured for different operational modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular position parameter of the inlet guide vanes to optimize performance for different operations. During cruise, vanes are positioned for efficient airflow; during restart, they are positioned to maximize windmilling effect, achieving rapid engine spin-up without additional mechanical complexity.
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
This approach enables faster engine restarts, reduces fuel consumption, and enhances aircraft range by optimizing airflow management during part-power operations, addressing the inefficiencies and safety concerns associated with VTOL aircraft engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
the ram air causes an engine to achieve the required engine RPM
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for controlling an aircraft engine inlet comprises determining a required engine RPM for an engine in-flight restart based upon current aircraft parameters, detecting a command to initiate the engine in-flight restart, and managing a position of an engine inlet barrier to control a volume of air entering an engine intake, wherein the ram air causes an engine turbine to achieve the required engine RPM. The required engine RPM may be an N1 gas generator RPM. The engine inlet barrier may be a hinged door positioned within the engine inlet or a series of inlet variable guide vanes that are configured to rotate between a closed position and an opened position. The position of the engine inlet barrier may be controlled by a flight control computer or an engine control computer.