Patent ID: 6016996
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: B64C,F02K,F05D,Y02T

Abstract:
Apparatus for reducing ground surface erosion caused by hot exhaust efflux from a gas turbine engine of an aircraft having vertical or short take off and landing capability, the hot exhaust efflux emanating from the gas turbine engine through an engine nozzle, being directed to impinge upon an impingement region of the ground surface, and being diverted by the ground surface through a turning zone into a radially expanding exhaust flow, said apparatus comprising a coolant fluid delivery system for delivering coolant fluid to the impingement region such that the coolant fluid impacts the ground surface and is deflected into a laterally expanding coolant flow immediately beneath the turning zone, said coolant fluid delivery system including a fluid-transmitting conduit structure terminating in a coolant nozzle, said fluid-transmitting conduit structure comprising a first conduit for conducting bleed air from an engine compressor toward the coolant nozzle and a second conduit operatively associated with said first conduit for conducting another fluid that is introduced into the bleed air conducted by said first conduit to form a mixture of bleed air and the other fluid, the mixture exiting said fluid-transmitting conduit structure through said coolant nozzle.