The field pertains to a suction arrangement for drawing off boundary layers on an aircraft with a structure, the outer skin of which contains suction surfaces in critical flow areas, and with at least one air breathing engine, from which the suction power required for drawing off the boundary layer is obtained.
A suction arrangement of the above-described type is known from DE 198 20 097 C2. In this known arrangement, the suction power for drawing off the boundary layer is generated by a jet pump arranged in the main flow of the engine. This suction arrangement provides the advantages that no moving parts are required in order to generate the suction power for drawing off the boundary layer, and that the arrangement consequently is highly unsusceptible to defects. However, one significant disadvantage of this known suction arrangement can be seen in the fact that a substantial power loss occurs due to the placement of the jet pump in the main flow of the engine. This power loss also cannot be completely prevented when the suction arrangement is not needed.
It is one object to develop a suction arrangement for drawing off boundary layers that makes it possible to achieve a highly efficient power conversion and to prevent power losses in operating states, in which the suction arrangement is not needed. In a suction arrangement for drawing off boundary layers this object is attained by suctioning bleed air from the high-pressure region of an engine using a branch line used for driving a turbine of a turbo-supercharger assembly. The compressor (also referred to as turbo pump) has a branch line that serves as the suction source for drawing off the boundary layer.
A turbo-supercharger assembly ensures a highly efficient power conversion, and the connection of a branch line for withdrawing the bleed air from the engine may be realized in such a way that no power loss occurs in the engine when the branch line is shut off, also improving efficiency.
In a bypass engine having a bypass structure 103, as illustrated in
In one example, the pressure line of the compressor (turbo pump) of the turbo-supercharger assembly opens into the main flow of the engine at a point of low pressure. This location contributes to maintaining a low pressure differential between the suction channel system of the arrangement for drawing off boundary layers and the outlet of the pressure line, i.e., the pressure differential to be overcome by the compressor of the supercharger assembly, such that the power generated by the compressor may be optimally utilized.
In another example, several low-power supercharger assemblies are used instead of one heavy-duty turbo-supercharger assembly, wherein these supercharger assemblies are accommodated in the region of the engine suspension and/or the engine fairing. The advantage of these variations include comparatively low flow and heat losses due to shorter pressure and suction lines that may be used for connecting the turbine of the turbo-supercharger assembly to the engine.
It is also advantageous to realize the turbo-supercharger assembly in the form of a single-shaft machine having a plurality of turbo-supercharger assemblies using a common shaft, because machines of this type are available in the form of components with a simple design that can be inexpensively manufactured.
Examples are described below with reference to the enclosed figures.
The examples described and drawings rendered are illustrative and are not to be read as limiting the scope of the invention as it is defined by the appended claims.
In an alternative example, instead of utilizing one heavy-duty turbo-supercharger assembly 2, several smaller turbo-supercharger assemblies are used. Such smaller supercharger assemblies are identified by the reference symbols 2a and 2b and drawn with broken lines in
It should be noted that the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined.
It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
Alternative combinations and variations of the examples provided will become apparent based on the disclosure. It is not possible to provide specific examples for all of the many possible combinations and variations of the embodiments described, but such combinations and variations may be claims that eventually issue.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10 2004 024 016 | May 2004 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2005/005098 | 5/11/2005 | WO | 00 | 5/16/2007 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2005/113335 | 12/1/2005 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2833492 | Fowler | May 1958 | A |
3887147 | Grieb | Jun 1975 | A |
4642997 | Krafka | Feb 1987 | A |
5114103 | Coffinberry | May 1992 | A |
5884873 | Breit | Mar 1999 | A |
6189324 | Williams et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6216982 | Pfennig et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
4128078 | Mar 1992 | DE |
19643069 | Mar 1999 | DE |
19820097 | Nov 1999 | DE |
19820097 | Feb 2003 | DE |
0517459 | Dec 1992 | EP |
517459 | Dec 1992 | EP |
0778199 | Jun 1997 | EP |
2028963 | Feb 1995 | RU |
2084377 | Jul 1997 | RU |
9519290 | Jul 1995 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20070266707 A1 | Nov 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60606649 | Sep 2004 | US |