DEVICE FOR DETERMINING AT LEAST ONE OF A DEGREE OF OPENING OF AN AIR OPENING AND A CROSS SECTION OF AN AIR DUCT CONNECTED TO THE OPENING

• US 20170096227A1
• Filed: 10/05/2016
• Published: 04/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: KLIMPEL, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 10,710,728 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/14 Windows; Doors; Hatch covers or access panels; Surrounding frame structures; Canopies; Windscreens accessories therefor, e.g. pressure sensors, water deflectors, hinges, seals, handles, latches, windscreen wipersfairings movable in conjunction with undercarriage elements B64C25/16; bomb doors B64D1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 13/00 Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space , or structural parts of the aircraft treatment rooms with artificial climate for medical purposes A61G10/02; respiratory apparatus in general A62B; for vehicles in general B60H
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 33/02 of combustion air intakes air intakes for gas-turbine plants or jet-propulsion plants per se F02C7/04; air intakes for combustion engines in general F02M35/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency

Abstract

A device for controlling an opening forming an air inlet or air outlet in an outer skin of a vehicle. The device comprises a multiple-member inlet ramp, which is configured to vary at least one of a degree of opening of the opening and a cross section of an air duct connected to the opening; an actuator, which is coupled to the multiple-member inlet ramp and is configured to move the multiple-member inlet ramp into a shape related to at least one of a certain degree of opening and a certain cross section; and a movement control device, which is configured to control a movement of the multiple-member inlet ramp.

Claims

1. A device for controlling an opening forming an air inlet or air outlet in an outer skin of a vehicle, the device comprising:

a multiple-member inlet ramp, which is configured to vary at least one of a degree of opening of the opening and a cross section of an air duct connected to the opening;

an actuator, which is coupled to the multiple-member inlet ramp and is configured to move the multiple-member inlet ramp into a shape related to at least one of a certain degree of opening and a certain cross section; and

a movement control device, which is configured to control a movement of the multiple-member inlet ramp caused by the actuator.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a piezoelectric element, which changes the shape of the multiple-member inlet ramp by extension and contraction, wherein the extension of the piezoelectric element causes a lengthening of the multiple-member inlet ramp in its longitudinal direction and the contraction of the piezoelectric element causes a shortening of the multiple-member inlet ramp in its longitudinal direction.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the movement control device comprises a hydraulic element, wherein the hydraulic element is configured to enable or prevent a transverse movement of the multiple-member inlet ramp in a direction different from a longitudinal direction of the multiple-member inlet ramp.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the hydraulic element comprises a hydraulic piston, which is coupled mechanically to the multiple-member inlet ramp.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the piston is configured to transmit a force arising upon the transverse movement of the multiple-member inlet ramp to a hydraulic fluid on one of two sides of the piston.

6. The device according to claim 3, wherein the movement control device comprises at least one control valve, which is connected to the hydraulic element via at least one hydraulic line.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein of the at least one control valve a first control valve is configured to supply a hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic element via a first hydraulic line by opening, and a second control valve is configured to carry the hydraulic fluid away from the hydraulic element via a second hydraulic line by opening.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one control valve is a three-way valve, which is configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic element via a first hydraulic line in a first switching position, and to carry the hydraulic fluid away from the hydraulic element via a second hydraulic line in a second switching position.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the movement control device comprises a hydraulic reservoir, and wherein the at least one control valve is connected to the hydraulic reservoir via a respective hydraulic line.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the hydraulic reservoir comprises an air reservoir, which is configured to exert an air pressure on a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic reservoir in a controlled or uncontrolled manner.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the first and second hydraulic line are connected to a first side of the hydraulic element and the three-way valve is connected via a third hydraulic line to a second side of the hydraulic element.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the hydraulic element on one side comprises an air reservoir, which is configured to exert an air pressure on a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic element in a controlled or uncontrolled manner.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hydraulic element on one side comprises a spring element, which is coupled to the piston.

14. An aircraft with an opening forming an air inlet or air outlet in an outer skin of the aircraft, wherein the aircraft comprises a device comprising:

a multiple-member inlet ramp, which is configured to vary at least one of a degree of opening of the opening and a cross section of an air duct connected to the opening;

an actuator, which is coupled to the multiple-member inlet ramp and is configured to move the multiple-member inlet ramp into a shape related to at least one of a certain degree of opening and a certain cross section; and

a movement control device, which is configured to control a movement of the multiple-member inlet ramp caused by the actuator.