For as long as the jet engine has existed, it has always been plagued by the uncertainty that at any given moment while in flight, the engine or engines of an aircraft could be compromised by external forces. This could normally occur at takeoff when aircraft are most vulnerable to things such as bird strikes or loose debris picked up off the runway. Severe weather fronts containing heavy snow and ice, large hail, or wind shear can be destructive to any jet engine.
Currently, most of the more sophisticated jet engines have ice breakers located on the front intake of the main engine section. Deicing and heating systems are also part of similar designs. Unfortunately those preventive systems can only do a fraction of the job and may not be enough when something more overwhelming is about to compromise a jet engine during flight.
If a jet engine was to be equipped with a fully automated system that could detect incoming objects, be able to close and shield the intake of the engine, and alternatively supply air to the jet engine(s), then that is where the Thrust Enabling Objective System (T.E.O.S.) would come into play and could conceivably change the level of jet engine vulnerability making air travel safer for all.
The importance of such an invention is to ensure the safety of a jet aircraft (commercial, private, or military) as well as those who are onboard while in flight by providing a system which automatically blocks out any object which would be destructive to the jet engine(s).
System could be activated automatically using an array of sophisticated sensors capable of detecting oncoming threats from long distances. Have the necessary safeguards to making certain that the only element going into the intake of the jet engine is air. To offer the same protective system to older existing jet engines still in operation while incorporate the same system when developing new jet engine designs.
PROXIMITY SENSOR ARRAY with ELECTRONICS:
TEOS-002ProximitySensorArrayElectronics.pdf
The process of detecting any solid mass while in flight begins with the Proximity Sensor Array 1.
It is mechanically fastened to the annular air inlet port of the Extended Nacelle with Air Intake Assembly 10.
It is my intention to showcase a commercial aircraft equipped with two jet engines. Everything shown in
The Proximity Sensor Array 1, is electrically coupled to a Cockpit Display Panel 1a. This panel will house a frequency transducer that will transmit continuous signal waves that when bounced off of an object will reflect echoes back to the Proximity Sensor Array where they are collected and translated back at the Cockpit Display Panel into a real-time map that will show both distance and time to possible impact.
Both an audible 1b, and a visual 1c, alert device will call attention to the cockpit crew.
As soon as an object is within strike distance, the onboard microcomputer and logic controller 1d, will begin the task of preparing the jet engine(s) for an impact. As part of the failsafe design, each jet engine on an aircraft will have its' own SBA (Shielding Blade Assembly) Motor Drive Circuit 1e, or 1f, (see inventors note) so that each engine can be activated only if the threat to that engine is real.
At the moment the Shielding Blade Assembly 20, is activated, feedback from this unit will be transmitted back to the microcomputer and logic controller 1d, and the AIU (Air Injection Unit) Motor Drive Circuit 1h, or 1j, (see inventors note) will power up and begin spinning the Air Injection Unit 50, which will bring outside air to supply the jet engine(s) and keep it from stalling during flight.
Anyone from the cockpit crew that attempts to override the system, will be locked out by a Test & Override Cockpit Function Controls 1g. No shutdown will be permitted whether intentional or accidental. Once the system has been activated it will continue to function automatically until by which time the system detects no further threats and deactivates the override prevent functions when it is safe once again.
Extended Nacelle with Air Intake Assembly:
TEOS-003 Extended Nacelle with Air Intake Assembly.pdf
The Extended Nacelle Housing 11, will be one of the components which will be primarily designed and fabricated by the jet engine manufacturers to adapt the Thrust Enabling Objective System to their particular engine designs.
The Extended Nacelle Housing 11, will have (6) air entry ports located around its' exterior circumference.
Each one of the air entry ports will be covered by an Air Entry Door 12.
Behind each of the air entry doors, will be a Replaceable Multi-Stage Air Filter 13.
Each one of the air entry doors will be opened and closed by its' own Pneumatic Linear Actuator 14.
All supply and return lines (not shown) will be routed in such a way where it will not interfere with the operation of other components associated to the Thrust Enabling Objective System. This will also hold true if determined that a hydraulic (oil) system is to be implemented instead of a pneumatic (air) system.
TEOS-004 Shielding Blade Assembly.pdf
Rear Mounting Ring 21, requires the installation of a Double Sealed Ball Bearing 22, at 5 locations around the ring before further assembly.
Press the Main Drive Gear Oil-less Bearing 25, onto the Center Support Hub 23.
Next slip the Main Drive Gear 26, over the Main Drive Gear Oil-less Bearing 25, and finish the Center Support Hub 23, assembly out by placing and temporarily retaining the Bearing Stop Ring 27, against the Main Drive Gear 26.
Center Support Hub 23, is positioned flange side up and the inside face of the Rear Mounting Ring 21, is placed against the flange side of the Center Support Hub 23, and secured with required Socket Head Cap Screws 24 (refer to sheet 05/05 for total number of 24). Make sure to line up all threaded holes and clearance holes between parts.
Lay the Rear Mounting Ring 21, with attached Center Support Hub 23, on its' rear face for the following steps.
The Front Mounting Ring 28, requires the installation of a Double Sealed Ball Bearing 29, at 5 locations around the ring before further assembly.
Insert 40 Tooth Driven Gear Pinion Assembly 31, into each of the (5) installed Double Sealed Ball Bearings 22, on the Rear Mounting Ring 21. Position the Front Mounting Ring 28, against face of Center Support Hub 23, (the side where the Bearing Stop Ring 27 is installed.)
Make sure to remove any temporary retainers that are holding the Bearing Stop Ring 27 for the next step.
Position the Bearing Stop Ring 27 onto the machined step of the Center Support Hub 23. Make certain that all 40 Tooth Driven Gear Pinion Assemblies 31, pass through the mounted Double Sealed Ball Bearings 29. The Front Mounting Ring 28, should lay flat against the Bearing Stop Ring 27.
Using Socket Head Cap Screws 30, (refer to sheet 04/05 for total number of 30) fasten Front Mounting Ring 28, to Center Support Hub 23, making sure to line up all threaded holes and clearance holes between parts as performed in the previous step with the Rear Mounting Ring 21.
It is important that the 40 Tooth Driven Gear Pinion Assemblies 31, turn freely when the Main Drive Gear 26, is spun manually on the Center Support Hub 23.
Without moving the partially assembled Shielding Blade Assembly 20, place one 4th Stage Blade 32, onto each of the (5) shafts of the 40 Tooth Driven Gear Pinion Assemblies 31. Place a Teflon Pancake Washer 33, on top of each of the 4th Stage Blades 32. Repeat this operation for the 3rd Stage Blades 34, followed by another Teflon Pancake Washer 33.
Continue with the 2nd Stage Blades 35, followed by another Teflon Pancake Washer 33, and end with the 1st Stage Blades 36.
(Make certain that the blades lie concentrically between the inner and outer diameters of both Front Mounting Ring 28 and Rear Mounting Ring 21, and that all the raised drive coins on the blades are not riding up, and seat correctly to contact the drive slots).
With all the Blade Assemblies in the open (rest) position around the Front Mounting Ring 28, and Rear Mounting Ring 21, install a Drive Cog 37, onto each shaft of the 40 Tooth Driven Gear Pinion Assemblies 31. Each Drive Cog is keyed and has protruding drive cogs on the back side that must be located correctly and must secure each of the (5) sets of 4 blades onto the 40 Tooth Driven Gear Pinion Assemblies 31. Secure each Drive Cog by placing a Thrust Washer 38 on top and bolt each Drive Cog to the end of the 40 Tooth Driven Gear Pinion Assemblies 31, with Socket Head Cap Screws 39.
Using an overhead crane or suitable lifting mechanism, pick up the partially assembled Shielding Blade Assembly 20, and place it vertically to where it is accessible for mounting the next components.
Place a Drive Motor 40, into each of the mounting holes located on the top and bottom of the Rear Mounting Ring 21. Secure with required hardware (not shown) and then place a 52 Tooth Motor Drive Gear 19, on each of the Drive Motors 40. Secure Motor Drive Gear 19, with the appropriate hardware as required and specified by the motor manufacturer (not shown).
The completed Shielding Blade Assembly 20, will then be supported in a manner that is to simulate the same mounting apparatus that will be used to support the unit when mounted on a jet engine. The next step will be to fully test the assembled unit. Power will be fed to activate and make certain that the Drive Motors 40, operate smoothly, the Main Drive Gear 26, rotates against the Oil less Bearing 25, without binding, and that all 40 Tooth Driven Gear Pinion Assemblies 31, operate each of the (5) Stage Blade Assemblies 32, 34, 35, & 36, without binding or stalling.
TEOS-005 Internal Air Injection Unit Assembly.pdf
Begin by assembling (2) Low Profile Pancake Motors 55, by installing a High Speed Friction Drive 54, onto the output shaft of each motor making certain the High Speed Friction Drives are pressed in and seat correctly on the shafts and are perpendicular to the shaft ends.
Next place each Low Profile Pancake Motor 55, inside the Rear AIU Main Casing Half 52, and place all (8) mounting bolts (not shown) from the rear side of the Rear AIU Main Casing Half 52, but do not tighten since it will require that the motors be pushed up against the drive ring on the Rear Impeller Rail 58, when the Air Injection Impeller Cage Assembly 53, is positioned into the Rear AIU Main Casing Half 52.
Assemble the Air Injection Impeller Cage Assembly 53, by placing the Rear Impeller Rail 58, face down (alignment grooves facing down) on a flat horizontal surface.
Press Rail Cage Bearing Shaft 60, into each of the (10) holes on the Rear Impeller Rail 58, then press 3.00″×1.25″×1.00″ Double Sealed Ball Bearings 61, onto each of the Rail Cage Bearing shafts 60.
Repeat the assembly procedure for the Front Impeller Rail 57, by first pressing Rail Cage Bearing Shaft 60, into each of the (10) holes on the Front Impeller Rail 57, and then pressing 3.00″×1.25″×1.00″ Double Sealed Ball Bearings 61, onto each of the Rail Cage Bearing Shafts 60.
Take the Rear Impeller Rail 58, and turn it (alignment grooves facing up) and lay on a flat horizontal surface. Place the Intake Impeller Blades 59 one at a time into each of the (36) alignment grooves around the circular sector of the Rear Impeller Rail 58.
Fasten with the appropriate hardware required (not shown), then when all (36) Intake Impeller Blades are secured to the Rear Impeller Rail 58, place the Front Impeller Rail 57, on top of the open end of the Intake Impeller Blades 59, and fasten in the same manner as previously done with the Rear Impeller Rail 58. (Alignment grooves facing down, bearings facing towards you).
Take the assembled Air Injection Impeller Cage Assembly 53, and place it concentrically within the Rear A.I.U. Main Casing Half 52. Make certain that all of the ball bearings installed on the Rear Impeller Rail 58, seat down into the roller groove on the Rear A.I.U. Main Casing Half 52.
Move both pancake motors previously installed inward until the High Speed Friction Drives 54, solidly contact the drive ring on the Rear Impeller Rail 58. Afterwards, tighten all (8) mounting bolts (not shown) sequentially until tight. Make sure that both of the High Speed Friction Drives 54, rotate freely when the Air Injection Impeller Cage Assembly 53, is spun manually.
Install “O” Ring Gasket (not shown) in groove of Rear A.I.U. Main Casing Half 52. Make certain that “O” Ring lays concentric within the groove and does not get rolled or pinched during the next step of assembly.
Place the Front A.I.U. Main Casing Half 51, on top of the partially assembled Rear A.I.U. Main Casing Half 52, and align all (12) of the retaining ears on both casing halves making sure that the “O” Ring does not get rolled or pinched and that the Double Sealed Ball Bearings 61, installed on the Front Cage Rail 57, seat into the roller groove of the Front A.I.U. Main Casing Half 51.
Secure the Front and Rear A.I.U. Main Casing Halves with 1.00″-14×15″ long Hex Bolts 56, at (6) places by passing the body of the bolt through the retaining ears on the Front A.I.U. Main Casing Half 51, and screw the bolts into the threaded holes on the Rear A.I.U. Main Casing Half 52. Make sure to properly sequence the tightening of all bolts so to eliminate the possibly of stress cracking any one of the retaining ears.
Make certain that when assembled, the Intake Impeller Cage Assembly 53, can spin freely as it is turned manually. The completed Internal Air Injection Unit 50, should be tested by properly supporting the unit as it would be installed and powered up so that the Low Profile Pancake Motors 55, High Speed Friction Drives 54, and Air Injection Impeller Cage Assembly 53, spins freely with no noises or vibration caused by imbalanced components.