Patent ID: 8141816
Filing Date: 2012-03-27
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
1. An inlet door system providing RAM air to an auxiliary power unit (APU) and APU compartment contained within an aircraft, the inlet door system comprising: a duct configured to extend from the auxiliary power unit (APU) to an intake opening formed in an outer surface of the aircraft, the duct having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a duct sidewall extending from the inlet port to the outlet port, the duct sidewall defining an air flow passage therebetween the inlet port and the outlet port; a door having a first end and a second end, the door rotationally coupled at the first end to the duct sidewall and positioned to sealingly engage with the inlet port and configured to selectively rotate between at least a first position and a second position; and an actuator mounted to an exterior surface of an aft portion of the duct and including an extension rod, the extension rod coupled to the first side of the door, the actuator configured to push and pull on the extension rod to thereby rotate the door to at least the first position and the second position, respectively, without the actuator, the extension rod, nor any other structure connected to both the actuator and the door, extending into the air flow passage.