The Boeing Company

Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

David Michael Smith

Arvin Shmilovich

Yoram Yadlin

Roger W Clark

David W Kwok

John Dorris, Iii

Marcus K Richardson

Donald Ray Snow, Jr

Douglas E Ferguson

Valdis Kibens

John W Smith

Sang H Nguyen

David Espineli Parekh

A pressure relief system is provided and a corresponding method for relieving pressure from a duct routing a gas from a compressor to a load utilizing the same. According to one aspect, a pressure relief assembly, located near the load, and independent of the primary load compressor pressure relief valve, for use with a duct includes a cover, first and second chambers, and a piston. The piston provides a moveable wall between the chambers and is coupled to the cover. As gas from the duct enters the two chambers, the configuration of the chambers provides for a pressure differential that moves the piston and the corresponding cover. This movement transitions the cover from a closed configuration that seals the duct to an open configuration that allows gas within the duct to escape.

Compressor surge protection

An example unit load device inerting system includes a nitrogen generation system, a first conduit coupled to the nitrogen generation system to carry nitrogen, an inlet located downstream of the first conduit and attached to a unit load device to deliver the nitrogen into the unit load device, an outlet attached to the unit load device, and a second conduit coupled to the outlet to carry gas out of the unit load device. An example method includes flowing nitrogen through a first conduit from a nitrogen generation system to an inlet located downstream of the first conduit and the inlet is attached to a unit load device to deliver the nitrogen into the unit load device, and venting the unit load device to transport gas out of the unit load device through a second conduit coupled to an outlet configured to be attached to the unit load device.

Systems and methods for flammability reduction and ventilation using nitrogen-enriched gas for transportation vehicle protection

A method for fuel quantity gauging that measures the quantity of liquid fuel in a fuel tank. The method includes the following steps performed while fuel is flowing out of the fuel tank: changing a volume of gas in the fuel tank (e.g., by injecting or venting gas) during a time interval; measuring a rate of change of the volume of gas in the fuel tank during the time interval; measuring a rate of flow of fuel out of the fuel tank during the time interval; measuring a first pressure and a first temperature of the gas in the fuel tank at the start of the time interval; measuring a second pressure and a second temperature of the gas in the fuel tank at the end of the time interval; and calculating a quantity of fuel in the fuel tank based on the acquired measurement data.

Methods and systems for direct fuel quantity measurement

A method and apparatus for controlling inert gas generation. An apparatus comprises an air separation module and an air flow control system. The air separation module is configured to separate an inert gas from air input into the air separation module. The air flow control system is configured to control the flow of the air into the air separation module.

Fuel saving inert gas generation system

Integrated engine exhaust systems and techniques for operating integrated engine exhaust systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a propulsion system includes an engine installation configured to be mounted on a wing assembly of an aircraft. The engine installation includes an engine, and an exhaust system operatively coupled to the engine. The exhaust system includes at least one nozzle to exhaust an exhaust flow from the engine. The nozzle includes a variable portion configured to vary an exit aperture of the nozzle from a first shape to a second shape to change a flowfield shape of at least a portion of the nozzle flowfield proximate the wing assembly, thereby reducing at least one of drag and thermal loading on the wing assembly. In a further embodiment, the exhaust system includes an inner nozzle that exhausts a core exhaust flow, and an outer nozzle that exhausts a secondary exhaust flow, the outer nozzle having the variable portion configured to vary the exit aperture of the outer nozzle.

Integrated engine exhaust systems and methods for drag and thermal stress reduction

Integrated engine exhaust systems and methods for reducing drag and thermal loads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a propulsion system includes an engine installation configured to be mounted on a wing assembly of an aircraft. The engine installation includes an engine, and an exhaust system operatively coupled to the engine. The exhaust system includes at least one nozzle configured to exhaust an exhaust flow from the engine. The nozzle includes a variable portion configured to vary an exit aperture of the nozzle from a first shape to a second shape to change a flowfield shape of at least a portion of the nozzle flowfield proximate the wing assembly, thereby reducing at least one of drag and thermal loading on the wing assembly. In a further embodiment, the exhaust system includes an inner nozzle that exhausts a core exhaust flow, and an outer nozzle that exhausts a secondary exhaust flow, the outer nozzle having the variable portion configured to vary the exit aperture of the outer nozzle.

A lightning protection system, method and aircraft are provided for reducing the flammability of jet fuel spilled during an in-flight refueling operation between a supplying aircraft and a receiving aircraft. An inert gas is injected adjacent to a refueling interface in order to displace oxygen in the fuel-air mixture and thereby reduce the ability of the fuel vapor to ignite upon occurrence of an ignition source such as lightning. The refueling system may comprise a boom or a hose and drogue type device.

In-flight refueling lightning protection system

The active system for the wide area suppression of a ground vortex generated by the engine of an aircraft includes an actuator assembly in fluid communication with a fluid source; and, at least one nozzle assembly, including at least one movable nozzle. The movable nozzle is in fluid communication with the actuator assembly for receiving fluid from the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly controls the motion of the movable nozzle, wherein fluid is injected over a desired region relative to an inlet of the engine to disrupt the flow structure of a ground vortex, thus mitigating ground vortex ingestion. This ensures the operational health of the engine during airplane maneuvering on the ground.

Active system for wide area suppression of engine vortex

Mixing of a subsonic exhaust plume from a nozzle is induced and enhanced, and shaping of the plume is controlled, by periodic pulsed jets of fluid injected into the plume from two or more locations spaced circumferentially about the plume. The jets are pulsed out of phase relative to one another. An active flow control apparatus includes at least first and second pulsed jet nozzles circumferentially spaced apart about the exhaust plume near an exit plane of the exhaust nozzle, and a pulse generator operable to supply periodic pulses of fluid to each of the pulsed jet nozzles such that the pulses to each nozzle are out of phase relative to the pulses to the other nozzle or nozzles.

Apparatus and methods for active flow control of a nozzle exhaust plume

An aircraft engine apparatus with a reduced inlet vortex is provided which utilizes a vortex disruption system that periodically discharges pulses of engine bleed fluid through at least one outlet port opening through the inlet of the engine nacelle to disrupt the engine inlet vortex. The vortex disruption system thereby prevents ingestion of foreign matter into the engine inlet without sacrificing engine power, efficiency, or aircraft cruise performance.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Ana, CA, United States of America

David Michael Smith