Honeywell International Inc.

Nicholas A Williams

Jeffrey Hein

Yogendra Y Sheoran

Daniel V Brown

Cecilia Lam

Ora Morency Cowans

Benjamen Kurt Higuera

Andrew Stephen Peduchi

Ravisha Pramod Sellahewa

Kevin S Dittmar

Susan Yip

George W Randall

David H Beird

An inlet door assembly and method for reducing noise from an auxiliary power unit (APU) contained within an aircraft housing is provided. The inlet assembly includes an inlet duct, an actuator, and a door. The inlet duct is configured to extend from the auxiliary power unit to the aircraft housing and has a sidewall that defines a flow passage through which APU noise propagates. The actuator is disposed at least partially within the inlet duct. The door coupled to the actuator. The actuator is also configured to selectively rotate the door between at least a first position, in which at least a portion of the door deflects APU noise in a first direction, and a second position, in which at least a portion of the door deflects the APU noise in a second direction.

Dual action inlet door and method for use thereof

A pre-hung air inlet door assembly comprises an inlet door, a door box frame, and an actuation system. The door box frame is fastened to the support structure of an aircraft. The inlet door is operationally connected to the actuation system. The entire pre-hung air inlet door assembly can be pre-assembled for quick installation into an aircraft. Pre-assembly eliminates trimming operations and rigging and misalignment issues. The pivot shafts and bearing housings of the pre-hung air inlet door assembly can be accessed from outside the aircraft when repairs and/or replacement components are needed.

Pre-hung inlet door system

An auxiliary power unit (APU) with integral firebox provides an integral unit for aircraft to utilize an APU without the use of a separate firebox. The present invention comprises a turbomachine intake air duct secured to an enclosure, the enclosure having a bleed air port extending from the combustor to outside of the enclosure, with an APU secured therein. The APU can be retrofitted to existing aircraft, or installed in newly-built aircraft.

Auxiliary power unit with integral firebox

A dual action structural latch () is provided for securing hinged access doors to a frame. The latch () comprises a latching member () secured to the frame and defining a first aperture (). A hook member () engages the latching member () to resist a tensile force when the latch () is in a closed position, and disengages the latching member () when the latch () is in the open position. A shear pin () extends so as to engage within the first aperture () to resist a shear force when the latch () is in the closed position and to disengage the first aperture () when the latch () is in the open position. A handle (), when moved from the closed position to the open position, sequentially withdraws the shear pin () from the first aperture () and disengages the hook member () from the latching member (), and when moved from the open position to the closed position, sequentially engages the hook member () with the latching member () and inserts the shear pin () in the first aperture ().

Dual action structural latch

The present invention provides a method for replacing an acoustic liner through the forward end or aft end of an integrated exhaust duct muffler ('IEDM'). The IEDM includes a bellmouth coupled to a forward end of the IEDM and an exhaust pipe coupled to an aft end of the IEDM. A muffler section, including the acoustic liner, is positioned between the bellmouth and exhaust pipe. In one embodiment, the method of replacing the acoustic liner from the forward end of the IEDM includes decoupling the bellmouth and forward end cap of the muffler section from the forward end of the IEDM and withdrawing the acoustic liner from the muffler section. A new acoustic liner is then inserted into the muffler section and the bellmouth and forward end cap are recoupled to the forward end of the IEDM. In another embodiment, a method of replacing an acoustic liner of an IEDM from an aft end is disclosed. The method includes removing the exhaust pipe from the aft end of the IEDM and withdrawing the acoustic liner from the muffler section. A new acoustic liner is then inserted into the muffler section and the exhaust pipe is attached to the aft end of the IEDM. In another embodiment, a method of replacing an acoustic liner of an IEDM from a forward end is disclosed. The method includes removing the bellmouth from the IEDM and withdrawing the acoustic liner from the muffler section. A new acoustic liner is inserted into the muffler section and the bellmouth is reattached to the IEDM.

Procedure for replacement of acoustic liner in integrated exhaust duct muffler for use with airborne auxiliary power units

The present invention provides a composite muffler for use with an auxiliary power unit. The composite muffler comprises a composite outer can, an annular baffle, an acoustic liner, and a thermal barrier. The composite outer can is disposed substantially symmetrically about a longitudinal axis and has an inner peripheral surface defining a cavity. The annular baffle is disposed within the composite outer can cavity, has an opening formed therein, and extends radially outwardly from the opening toward the composite outer can inner peripheral surface. The acoustic liner extends through the annular baffle opening. The thermal barrier is coupled between the annular baffle and the outer can inner peripheral surface.

Composite muffler for use with airborne auxiliary power unit

The present invention provides support means for an acoustic liner in an APU exhaust system, where the acoustic liner has a tubular sidewall with an outer surface, a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, and an axial gap formed between the first and the second longitudinal edges. The APU exhaust system includes an annular support disposed substantially symmetrically about a longitudinal axis and coupled to a portion of the acoustic liner and a linear support disposed at least partially in the acoustic liner axial gap.

Support means for an acoustic liner used in an auxiliary power unit exhaust muffler

An integrated mount duct includes a load ring for mounting a turbomachine to a flight vehicle, wherein the load ring has a cylindrical shape with a flange edge and a stepped edge, and comprises one or more mechanical attachment members disposed on an outside surface of the load ring, the mechanical attachment members configured to mate with a strut.

Integrated mount duct for use with airborne auxiliary power units and other turbomachines

Methods and apparatus are provided for an exhaust duct having an externally replaceable acoustic liner. The exhaust duct includes a forward section that is configured to be axially coupled with a bulkhead collar on the aircraft, a body section that is coupled to the forward section and a stinger cap that includes the replaceable acoustic liner. The replaceable acoustic liner is configured to be slideably received by the body section.

Growing community of inventors

Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Nicholas A Williams