Apparatus and method for forming an air curtain for use with an aircraft
US6565035B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 11, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24F9/00
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for providing an air curtain for impeding the entry of dust, dirt, debris, smoke, insects and other airborne particulate matter into an interior area of an aircraft without the need for disposing heavy, bulky and high power consuming blower assemblies above the opening in the aircraft. The invention comprises a pair of air intake ducts each having a fan disposed therein. The fans draw an ambient airflow into the air intake ducts. Pressurized air from a power unit associated with the aircraft, such as an engine or auxiliary power unit, is injected into the air intake ducts. This has the effect of significantly accelerating the airflow in the air intake ducts to a velocity suitable for forming an air curtain. The air intake ducts are coupled to a manifold having a length sufficient to substantially span the opening of an aircraft at which the air curtain is formed. An air dispenser associated with the manifold directs the airflow out of the manifold in a narrow, width-wise pattern to form an air curtain. In preferred embodiments the manifold can be rotated in accordance with the position of a loading ramp of the aircraft such that the angle of impingement of the a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.