Hypersonic inlet systems and methods

US8292217B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Thomas R. Smith · Westminster, US
• Angel M. Espinosa · Holden, US
• Daniel John Farrell · Chesterfield, US
• Andrew Robertson · Vancouver, CA
• John C. Leylegian · White Plains, US
• Jason S. Tyll · Blue Point, US
• Florin Girlea · Great Neck, US
• Joseph A. Alifano · Commack, US
• Randy S. M. Chue · Bohemia, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 4, 2008
• Grant date: Oct 23, 2012
• Expiry date: Aug 22, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/60
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Hypersonic inlet systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an inlet for an airbreathing propulsion system includes an inboard surface at least partially shaped to conform to a plurality of streamline-traces of a design flowfield approaching an aperture, an outboard surface spaced apart from the inboard surface, an upper surface extending between the inboard and outboard surfaces, and a lower surface extending between the inboard and outboard surfaces, wherein leading edges of the inboard, outboard, upper, and lower surfaces cooperatively define the aperture.