Inlet assembly for an aircraft aft fan
US10252790B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 2016 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/60
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a low-distortion inlet assembly for reducing airflow swirl distortion entering an aft fan mounted to a fuselage of an aircraft. Further, the inlet assembly includes a plurality of structural members, such as struts or strakes, mounted at predetermined locations around a circumference of the fan shaft of the fan at the inlet. The predetermined location(s) may be determined as a function of swirl distortion entering the inlet. As such, the structural member(s) are configured to reduce swirl distortion of the airflow entering the fan. In some embodiments, the inlet assembly may also include inlet guide vanes. In alternative embodiments, the inlet assembly may be absent of inlet guide vanes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.