Jet Engine Cleaning Suit with Effluent Collection Bowl
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current engine cleaning methods for gas turbine engines are inefficient in maintaining regular cleaning intervals, leading to compressor and turbine contamination, which affects fuel efficiency and longevity, and do not effectively manage effluent disposal.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof suit system with a collection bowl and J-hook mechanism that allows for frequent and regular engine cleaning, coupled with a cleaning fluid injection system and filtration, to collect and filter effluent, preventing spillage and enabling recycling or safe disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a waterproof suit system with collection bowl is used, then effluent collection and disposal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof suit is divided into multiple functional components: a collection bowl for effluent accumulation, an apron for engine attachment, and a strap for pylon securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability for effluent collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof suit acts as an intermediary device between the engine cleaning process and effluent disposal. It captures effluent at the source and provides a controlled collection mechanism, mediating between the cleaning operation and environmental disposal requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If regular engine cleaning is performed, then fuel efficiency is improved, but maintenance time and operational interruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables proactive scheduling of engine cleanings at optimal intervals (every 1000-1200 hours) before contamination significantly impacts performance. By preparing and maintaining the cleaning system in advance, operators can perform maintenance at planned times rather than reacting to performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof suit system is designed for operator self-service, allowing maintenance personnel to independently perform cleaning operations without requiring specialized equipment or extensive procedural guidance, thereby reducing maintenance time and operational interruptions.
3Reliability
If cleaning fluid injection is increased, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but effluent volume and disposal requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful effect of large effluent volumes into a benefit by providing a contained collection mechanism. The collection bowl captures all effluent regardless of volume, and the waterproof suit prevents environmental contamination, turning the disposal challenge into a controlled collection and managed disposal process.
4Productivity
If engine cleaning interval is extended, then operational availability is improved, but compressor and turbine contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a periodic cleaning schedule based on operational hours (every 1000-1200 hours), allowing the engine to operate at full productivity between cleanings while ensuring contamination is removed at predetermined intervals before it significantly impacts performance or efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for washing a jet engine of an aircraft are disclosed. The method comprises creating a collecting bowl under the jet engine by coupling a suit to the jet engine of the aircraft and coupling an apron of the suit to the jet engine. After the suit is coupled to the jet engine, a cleaning cycle is performed, which includes injecting cleaning fluid into the jet engine, turning over the jet engine, and collecting resultant effluent in the bowl. Further, the effluent remains in the bowl until actively removed by a user. The suit may be coupled to the aircraft by wrapping a strap around a pylon that couples the jet engine to the aircraft.