Fresh air inlet for an aircraft

US8973867B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED · DE

Inventors

• Johannes Eichholz · Hamburg, DE
• Jens Beier · Drestedt, DE
• Alexander Solntsev · Hamburg, DE
• Ruediger Schmidt · Elmwood Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 27, 2009
• Grant date: Mar 10, 2015
• Expiry date: Jul 6, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/50
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A fresh air inlet for an aircraft features a ram air inlet with a ram air inlet opening, a secondary air inlet opening separate from the ram air inlet and a movably mounted flap. The flap can be moved into a first or second position, and essentially covers the secondary air inlet opening in the first position and at least partially opens the secondary air inlet opening and extends away from the aircraft body in the second position to shield the ram air inlet opening from foreign matter in the air. The secondary air inlet reduces the pressure loss of the air inlet on the ground or during flight phases with relatively slow speed due to the enlarged cross-sectional surface. The ram air inlet can be optimized for cruising phases, and the energy expenditure for any downstream compressors and flow-induced noises can be considerably reduced.