Porous Bird Strike Deflection Screen for Jet Engine Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft are vulnerable to bird strikes, which can cause significant damage and malfunctions to jet engines, especially due to increased air traffic and bird populations, leading to potential accidents and altitude loss.
Innovation Solution
A porous bird strike deflection device with a conically shaped screen and attachment components is designed to attach to the cowling of a jet engine, allowing airflow while deflecting birds and preventing debris from entering the engine intake, featuring a rotatable wiper blade for debris clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an open air intake is used for the jet engine, then adequate airflow is ensured for engine operation, but the engine becomes vulnerable to bird strikes and foreign object damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a porous screen material covering the air intake area. This porous structure allows air molecules to pass through while physically blocking birds and foreign objects. The porous material enables the system to simultaneously achieve protection (blocking harmful objects) and maintain productivity (allowing adequate airflow) by exploiting the size difference between air molecules and birds.
2Reliability
If a solid cover is placed over the air intake to protect from bird strikes, then engine protection is improved, but airflow to the engine is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifically uses porous screen material rather than solid covering. The porous structure provides the necessary permeability for air flow while maintaining the protective function against bird strikes. This resolves the contradiction by demonstrating that protection does not require complete solidification of the intake area.
3Reliability
If a porous cover is used to allow airflow while protecting from birds, then engine protection and airflow are both maintained, but the porous structure may be damaged by debris or ice accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates heating elements and de-icing systems to prevent ice accumulation on the porous screen before it can cause damage. Additionally, the design includes protective measures such as reinforced framing and selective material placement to cushion against potential debris impact, maintaining the integrity of the porous structure over time.
Data Source
AI summary
A deflecting device for protecting a jet engine of an aircraft from damage caused by a bird strike. The bird strike deflection device attaches to an opening in the front of a cowling of the jet engine to shield an engine air intake from ingesting a bird that would otherwise damage the engine. A conically shaped screening portion having an open mesh pattern is attached to the cowling in a convex orientation. A perimeter of the screening portion terminates in a rim sized to fit the engine intake opening in the cowling. The rim may be directly attached to the cowling or an attachment flange may connect the rim to the cowling. The deflecting device may be completely removable from, hingedly attached to, or integrated directly into the cowling.