DUCT

• US 20130306024A1
• Filed: 09/27/2012
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Original Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC (Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc)
• Inventors: ROLT, Andrew Martin
• Application Number:
  US13/628,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20130306024A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/198.R
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 21/01 Boundary layer ingestion [BLI] propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2230/04 by actively generating fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2033/0226 comprising boundary layer control means
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 77/00 Component parts, details or accessories, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 Drag reduction

Abstract

The invention relates to a duct for a vehicle, comprising: an elongate passageway defined by at least one wall, the passageway having first and second ends relative to the longitudinal axis of the passageway; a non-annular inlet at the first end of the passageway for receiving a first fluid flow from the boundary layer of the vehicle when in use; and, an annular outlet at the second end of the passageway having an radially inner circumferential wall and a radially outer circumferential wall, the annular outlet being in fluid communication with a propulsive unit when in use, wherein the radially inner and outer circumferential walls extend continuously to the inlet.

Claims

1. A duct for a vehicle, comprising:

an elongate passageway defined by at least one wall, the passageway having first and second ends relative to the longitudinal axis of the passageway;

a non-annular inlet at the first end of the passageway for receiving a first fluid flow from the boundary layer of the vehicle so as to have high velocity and low velocity streams when in use; and

,

an annular outlet at the second end of the passageway having an radially inner circumferential wall and a radially outer circumferential wall, the annular outlet being in fluid communication with a propulsive unit when in use,

wherein the radially inner and outer circumferential walls extend continuously to the inlet.

2. A duct for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-annular inlet includes a first edge portion and a second edge portion, wherein the first and second edge portions extend into the passageway to provide respective first wall portion and a second wall portion which form the radially inner and outer circumferential walls at the annular outlet.

3. A duct for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inlet is rectangular.

4. A duct for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein at a first location along the length of the passageway between the inlet and outlet, the cross section of the passageway is curved.

5. A duct for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the annular outlet defines a radially inner cavity which abuts a hub of the propulsive unit when in use.

6. A duct for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1 wherein a third wall portion and a fourth wall portion of the passageway extend between the inlet and outlet and abut one another to form a radially extending joining wall at the annular outlet.

7. A vehicle, comprising:

the duct as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inlet is positioned to capture a boundary layer fluid flow; and

,

a propulsive unit in fluid communication with the inlet via the duct.

8. A vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the propulsive unit is a fan.

9. A vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein a hub of the fan is located within the radially inner cavity defined by the duct.