Jet engine with deflector

摘要

An air inlet deflector for a structure having an air inlet. The deflector may be retractable within the structure, may be integrally formed with the structure, and may prevent the structure from ingesting foreign matter, such as birds. The deflector may include a series of ribs, spokes, or vanes that may vary in width and/or thickness from fore to aft, and/or may be curvilinear in one or more planes of view, and/or may serve double duty as inlet vanes for redirecting inlet air.

主权项

1. A jet engine comprising an air inlet cowl defining an air inlet, and a retractable deflector deployable over a portion of the air inlet, wherein the retractable deflector comprises a deflector member having a fore end and an aft end, the aft end being connected to the jet engine by a pivotal connection comprising a ball-and-socket connection or a universal joint, the retractable deflector comprising a motivator within the air inlet cowl operable to motivate the deflector member from a stowed position within the air inlet cowl to a deployed position within the air inlet, the motivator comprising a diaphragm ring to which the deflector member is pivotally connected, the motivator further comprising a geared motor that engages the diaphragm ring and can impart rotational motion thereto.