Abstract:
An air duct for supplying ambient air in an aircraft includes an air inlet, a flow duct portion and a feed device that is devised to feed ambient air through the air inlet and the flow duct portion. A flow control flap closes the air inlet in a first position, releases a first flow cross-section of the air inlet in a second position and releases a larger second flow cross-section of the air inlet in a third position. The flow control flap is designed to not increase drag significantly in the second position while still enabling flow through the flow duct portion, while increasing drag to increase air fow through the flow duct portion in the third position.

Description:
This application claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/EP2009/004513, filed on Jun. 23, 2009 under Section 371 and/or as a continuation under Section 120, which claims priority to German Application No. 10 2008 030 399.2 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/075,814 both filed on Jun. 28, 2008. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to an air duct for supplying ambient air in an aircraft. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Air ducts used in modern aircraft to supply ambient air to various systems situated on board the aircraft are conventionally configured as ram-air ducts having an air inlet and a diffuser. During cruising of the aircraft ambient air flows through the air inlet into the ram-air duct. In the diffuser, because of the slowing-down of the air flow, some of the dynamic pressure of the ambient air flow is converted to static pressure. As a result there arises in the ram-air duct a static pressure that is higher than the ambient pressure, the so-called ram pressure that ensures that the air flowing through the ram-air duct is supplied to an aircraft device that is to be supplied with ambient air, such as for example to a heat exchanger that is disposed in the ram-air duct. During ground operation of the aircraft, on the other hand, a mechanical feed device, such as for example a blower, ensures the desired ambient air supply through the ram-air duct to the aircraft device to be supplied with ambient air. 
     The air inlet of a ram-air duct may be configured in the form of a ram-air scoop or be integrated into the aircraft structure, around which flow occurs. An air inlet integrated into the aircraft structure, around which flow occurs, makes it possible to reduce the drag caused by the air inlet during cruising of the aircraft. An optimized air supply into the ram-air duct simultaneously combined with low drag may be realized for example with the aid of an NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) inlet integrated into the aircraft surface, around which flow occurs. 
     With some aircraft systems that are to be supplied with ambient air there is the problem that these systems require a greater air-mass flow during ground operation of the aircraft than during cruising of the aircraft. A ram-air duct inlet that is optimized for the air-mass flow requirement of such aircraft systems during cruising would therefore have to have a relatively small cross section in order to minimize the drag caused by the air inlet during cruising of the aircraft. In contrast thereto, during ground operation of the aircraft a ram-air duct inlet cross section that is as large as possible would be advantageous to allow a blower, which during ground operation of the aircraft feeds ambient air through the ram-air duct to the aircraft system to be supplied with ambient air, to be operated at a feed pressure that is as low as possible. A blower fitted in a ram-air duct with a small ram-air duct inlet cross section that is optimized for cruising, on the other hand, has to be overdimensioned to provide the required high feed pressure, the disadvantageous result of this being that this blower has a large volume, a high weight and a high energy consumption and during operation causes a relatively large amount of noise. 
     The underlying object of the invention is to provide an air duct for supplying ambient air in an aircraft that enables an aircraft system, which requires a greater air-mass flow during ground operation of the aircraft than during cruising of the aircraft, to be supplied with ambient air in an energy-efficient manner and without the use of an overdimensioned feed device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve this object, an air duct according to the invention for supplying ambient air in an aircraft comprises an air inlet, which may be configured for example in the form of an aperture provided in an aircraft outer skin. Extending downstream of the air inlet is a flow duct portion, through which ambient air flows during operation of the air duct. In the flow duct portion an aircraft device to be supplied with ambient air, for example a heat exchanger, may be disposed. During cruising of an aircraft equipped with the air duct according to the invention, the air flowing around the aircraft outer skin flows through the air inlet into the flow duct portion of the air duct without an additional feed device being required for this purpose. However, in order also during ground operation of the aircraft equipped with the air duct according to the invention to guarantee a proper supply of ambient air to the aircraft device to be supplied with ambient air, the air duct according to the invention further comprises a feed device. The feed device, which may be configured for example in the form of a blower or an air injection system, is used during ground operation of the aircraft equipped with the air duct according to the invention to feed ambient air through the air inlet and the flow duct portion to the aircraft device that is to be supplied with ambient air. 
     The air duct according to the invention finally comprises a flow control flap, which is devised in a first position to close the air inlet completely and hence prevent ambient air from entering the air inlet and the flow duct portion of the air duct. Preferably the flow control flap is situated in its first position when the aircraft device to be supplied with ambient air is not in operation or is in an operating state, in which it does not require ambient air. The flow control flap of the air duct according to the invention is further devised in a second position to release a first flow cross section of the air inlet and in a third position to release a second flow cross section of the air inlet that is larger than the first flow cross section. Preferably the flow control flap of the air duct according to the invention is situated in its second position when the aircraft device to be supplied with ambient air has a relatively low ambient air requirement. In its third position, on the other hand, the flow control flap enables the supply of a large air-mass flow to the aircraft device that is to be supplied with ambient air. 
     The flow control flap of the air duct according to the invention is so designed and disposed that a first surface portion of the flow control flap in the second position of the flow control flap is aligned in the region of the air inlet substantially parallel to the aircraft outer skin portion surrounding the air inlet. In other words, the flow control flap has a shape and is fastened in such a way that the first surface portion extends over a sub-region of the air inlet substantially parallel to the aircraft outer skin surrounding the air inlet. Preferably the first surface portion of the flow control flap in the second position of the flow control flap is disposed substantially flush with the aircraft outer skin portion surrounding the air inlet. When the flow control flap is situated in its second position, it generates particularly low drag. During cruising of an aircraft equipped with the air duct according to the invention, the flow control flap is therefore situated preferably in its second position. 
     In the third position of the flow control flap, on the other hand, the first surface portion of the flow control flap is aligned at an angle to the aircraft outer skin portion surrounding the air inlet. In its third position the flow control flap therefore generates a greater drag whilst, as already mentioned, releasing a larger flow cross section of the air inlet than in its second position. Consequently the flow control flap of the air duct according to the invention is moved into its third position preferably when the aircraft device to be supplied with ambient air has a high ambient air requirement. This may be the case both during cruising and during ground operation of an aircraft equipped with the air duct according to the invention. 
     Although the flow control flap of the air duct according to the invention may be moved into its third position also during cruising, for example during climbing of an aircraft equipped with the air duct according to the invention, the air duct according to the invention is usable in a particularly advantageous manner to supply ambient air to an aircraft device that has a higher ambient air requirement during ground operation of the aircraft than during cruising of the aircraft. During cruising of the aircraft the flow control flap may then namely be situated predominantly in its second position, in which by reducing the flow cross section of the air inlet it ensures that the drag caused by the air inlet remains relatively low. This has an advantageous effect on the fuel consumption of the aircraft. During ground operation of the aircraft, on the other hand, the flow control flap may be situated in its third position, in which it releases a large cross section of the air inlet. The feed device, which during ground operation of the aircraft feeds ambient air through the air inlet and the flow duct portion of the air duct, may therefore be of a markedly smaller design than would be possible if the size of the air inlet were optimized for cruising of the aircraft. 
     A further advantage of the air duct according to the invention is that in a fault situation of a fully open flap a lower drag ensues than in the case of a conventional air duct designed for the same conditions during cruising and on the ground. In the case of a conventional air duct, therefore, in this situation the duct internal pressure resulting from the higher outside air flow is markedly higher, this entailing a corresponding design of the duct and the weight increase associated therewith. 
     Preferably the flow control flap of the air duct according to the invention is further so designed and disposed that a second surface portion of the flow control flap in the second position of the flow control flap is aligned at an angle to a wall portion of the flow duct portion that increases in flow direction of the ambient air flowing through the flow duct portion. In other words, the second surface portion of the flow control flap together with the wall portion of the flow duct portion forms a flow duct sub-portion having a cross section that increases in flow direction of the ambient air flowing through the flow duct portion. Consequently, in the second position of the flow control flap the second surface portion of the flow control flap and the wall portion of the flow duct portion form a diffuser that influences the flow through the flow duct portion. 
     In the diffuser formed by the second surface portion of the flow control flap and the wall portion of the flow duct portion, the ambient air flow supplied through the air inlet into the air duct is slowed down, so that some of the dynamic pressure of the ambient air flow is converted to static pressure. The result is consequently a static pressure that is higher than the ambient pressure, i.e. a ram pressure that ensures a proper supply of ambient air to the aircraft device that is to be supplied with ambient air, for example a heat exchanger disposed in the flow duct portion of the air duct. The flow control flap of the air duct according to the invention therefore performs the dual function of, on the one hand, adjusting a desired flow cross section of the air inlet and, on the other hand, in its second position forming together with the wall portion of the flow duct portion a diffuser. 
     In the third position of the flow control flap, on the other hand, the second surface portion of the flow control flap is aligned preferably substantially parallel to the wall portion of the flow duct portion. The flow through the flow duct portion of the air duct is therefore influenced only minimally by the flow control flap, thereby enabling an unimpeded feed of ambient air through the air duct by means of the feed device. 
     In the third position of the flow control flap the first surface portion of the flow control flap is aligned in the region of the air inlet preferably at an angle of ca. 10° to the aircraft outer skin portion surrounding the air inlet. A flow control flap that is shaped and disposed in such a way that the first surface portion in the third position of the flow control flap forms an angle of ca. 10° with the aircraft outer skin portion surrounding the air inlet, on the one hand, enables the opening of a large flow cross section of the air inlet while, on the other hand, not excessively increasing the drag caused by the air inlet. 
     The flow control flap of the air duct according to the invention is further preferably so designed and disposed that in the third position of the flow control flap an edge of the flow control flap, for example an edge formed by the first and the second surface portion of the flow control flap, projects into an air flow flowing around the aircraft. Air may consequently be conveyed with a higher momentum from the boundary layer into the air duct. Although this leads to increased drag, the air-mass flow control range is markedly extended. 
     The flow control flap of the air duct according to the invention may have a substantially triangular cross section. For example, the cross section of the flow control flap may have the shape of an isosceles triangle. 
     The flow control flap is preferably rotatable about an axis that is disposed in the region of the centre of gravity of the flow control flap. An axis of rotation disposed in the region of the centre of gravity of the flow control flap enables good mobility of the flow control flap with a relatively low expenditure of energy. 
     For example, the axis of rotation of the flow control flap may be disposed substantially in the region of a central longitudinal axis extending through the flow duct portion of the air duct according to the invention. Given such an arrangement of the axis of rotation, the first surface portion of the flow control flap in the second position of the flow control flap closes a central region of the air inlet cross section, i.e. the first surface portion of the flow control flap subdivides the cross-sectional area of the air inlet into a first portion and a second portion. In the third position of the flow control flap, when the first surface portion of the flow control flap is aligned at an angle to the aircraft outer skin portion surrounding the air inlet, the flow control flap on the other hand extends substantially along the central longitudinal axis of the flow duct portion. 
     The air duct according to the invention may further comprise an actuating device that is devised to move the flow control flap steplessly between its first and its third position. The actuating device may be for example a mechanical, electrical or electromechanical actuating device. A control device may further be provided, which correspondingly drives the actuating device in order to effect an adjustment of the flow control flap into a desired position. 
     The air duct according to the invention may further comprise a retaining device that is devised to retain the flow control flap in a desired position. The actuating device that is used to move the flow control flap between its first and its third position may simultaneously form the retaining device that retains the flow control flap in a desired position. Alternatively, however, an additional retaining device may be provided for retaining the flow control flap in a desired position. 
     In a method according to the invention of operating a previously described air duct, the flow control flap for supplying ambient air to an aircraft device during cruising of an aircraft equipped with the air duct is moved into its second position. During ground operation of the aircraft equipped with the air duct, on the other hand, the flow control flap for supplying ambient air to the aircraft device is moved into its third position. With the aid of the method according to the invention an aircraft device, which conventionally has a lower ambient air requirement during cruising of the aircraft than during ground operation of the aircraft, may always be supplied in an energy-efficient manner with an adequate quantity of ambient air. 
     In particular operating situations of the aircraft device, i.e. for example if the aircraft device during cruising of the aircraft exceptionally has a high ambient air requirement or during climbing of the aircraft, the flow control flap of the air duct may however also during cruising of the aircraft be moved into its third position in order to release an enlarged air inlet flow cross section. Equally, during ground operation of the aircraft the flow control flap may be moved into its second position if the aircraft device has a lower ambient air requirement. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       There now follows a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, which show: 
         FIG. 1  a cross-sectional representation of an air duct having a flow control flap that is adjustable between a first and a third position, 
         FIG. 2  the air duct according to  FIG. 1 , wherein the flow control flap is situated in its first position, 
         FIG. 3  the air duct according to  FIG. 1 , wherein the flow control flap is situated in its second position, 
         FIG. 4  the air duct according to  FIG. 1 , wherein the flow control flap is situated in its third position, and 
         FIG. 5  a plan view of the air duct according to  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An air duct  10  that is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5  comprises an air inlet  12  as well as a flow duct portion  16  that extends downstream of the air inlet  12  as far as an air outlet  14 . The air inlet  12  is integrated into a skin of an aircraft equipped with the air duct  10  and is consequently surrounded by a corresponding portion  18  of the aircraft outer skin. The air duct  10  is used to supply ambient air to a heat exchanger  20  disposed in the flow duct portion  16 . 
     During cruising of the aircraft equipped with the air duct  10 , the ambient air flowing around the aircraft outer skin flows through the air inlet  12  into the flow duct portion  16  and through the heat exchanger  20 . During ground operation of the aircraft, on the other hand, a blower  22  ensures that sufficient ambient air is fed through the air inlet  12  and the flow duct portion  16  to the heat exchanger  20 . In the embodiment of the air duct  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5  the blower  22  is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger  20  in the flow duct portion  16 . 
     The air duct  10  further comprises a flow control flap  24 , which is disposed in the region of the air inlet  12  and is adjustable steplessly between a first and a third position (see  FIG. 1 ). The flow control flap  24  has a cross section that has substantially the shape of an isosceles triangle. In the region of a centre of gravity of the flow control flap  24  an axis of rotation  26  is provided, about which the flow control flap  24  is rotatable in order to move the flow control flap  24  between its first and its third position. The axis of rotation  26  is disposed in the region of a central longitudinal axis L extending through the flow duct portion  16  of the air duct  10 . 
     An electromechanical actuator, which is not shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , is used to move the flow control flap  14  between its first and its third position. The electromechanical actuator is controlled with the aid of an electronic control unit. The electromechanical actuator is moreover suitable for retaining the flow control flap  24  in a desired position. 
     As is evident in particular from  FIG. 2 , the flow control flap  14  in its first position completely closes the air inlet  12 , thereby preventing ambient air from being supplied through the air inlet  12  into the flow duct portion  16  of the air duct  10 . In this regard, the flow control flap  14  includes an upstream end  27   a  and a downstream end  27   b , the upstream/downstream direction being defined in a direction of air flow along the flow control flap  14 , as shown clearly in  FIGS. 2 through 4 . The electromechanical actuator moves the flow control flap  24  into the first position shown in  FIG. 2  when the heat exchanger  20  does not have to be supplied with ambient air. 
     In its second position shown in  FIG. 3 , on the other hand, the flow control flap  24  releases a first flow cross section of the air inlet  12 . A first surface portion  28  of the flow control flap  24  in this case extends substantially parallel to, and flush with, the aircraft outer skin portion  18  surrounding the air inlet  12 . To this end, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the first surface portion  28  extends from the upstream end  27   a  such that the upstream end  27   a  is aligned with the outer skin portion  18  in this second position. Because of the arrangement of the axis of rotation  26  of the flow control flap  24  in the region of the central longitudinal axis L of the flow duct portion  16 , the first surface portion  28  of the flow control flap  24  extends in a central region of the air inlet cross section. Thus, in the second position of the flow control flap  24  a central region of the flow cross section of the air inlet  12  is closed, while outer regions of the flow cross section of the air inlet  12  are released to allow ambient air to flow through. 
     As the first surface portion  28  of the flow control flap  24  in the second position of the flow control flap  24  is aligned substantially parallel to the aircraft outer skin portion  18  surrounding the air inlet  12 , the additional drag of the aircraft caused by the air inlet  12  may be advantageously minimized. The size of the flow cross section of the air inlet  12  that is released in the second position of the flow control flap  24  is so dimensioned that during cruising of the aircraft an adequate supply of ambient air to the heat exchanger  20  is guaranteed. 
     In the third position of the flow control flap  24  that is shown in  FIG. 4 , on the other hand, the flow control flap  24  releases a second flow cross section of the air inlet  12  that is greater than the first flow cross section of the air inlet  12  that is released in the second position of the flow control flap  24 . The first surface portion  28  of the flow control flap  24  in the third position of the flow control flap  24  is disposed at an angle of ca. 10° to the aircraft outer skin portion  18  surrounding the air inlet  12 . When the flow control flap  24  is situated in its third position, the flow cross section of the air inlet  12  is open to the maximum extent, thereby allowing an unimpeded flow of ambient air through the air inlet  12  and the flow duct portion  16 . However, the air inlet  12  with a flow control flap  24  situated in its third position causes increased drag. To this end, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the upstream end  27   a  projects outwardly from the outer skin portion  18  into ambient air flow in this third position. 
     The flow control flap  24  is further so designed and disposed that in the second position of the flow control flap  24  shown in  FIG. 3  a second surface portion  30  of the flow control flap  24  is aligned at an angle to a wall portion  32  of the flow duct portion  16  that increases in flow direction of the ambient air flowing through the flow duct portion  16 . Thus, in the second position of the flow control flap  24  the second surface portion  30  of the flow control flap  24  together with the wall portion  32  of the flow duct portion  16  forms a diffuser that effects a slowing-down of the air flow through the flow duct portion  16 . Consequently, some of the dynamic pressure of the ambient air flow is converted to static pressure, so that in the flow duct portion  16  a ram pressure that is higher than the ambient pressure arises. This ram pressure ensures that sufficient ambient air is conveyed through the heat exchanger  20  positioned in the flow duct portion  16   
     On the other hand, when the flow control flap  24  is situated in its third position, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the second surface portion of the flow control flap  24  is aligned substantially parallel to the wall portion  32  of the flow duct portion  16 . In its third position the flow control flap  24  therefore only minimally influences the air flow through the flow duct portion  16 . As shown clearly in  FIG. 2 , it will be understood that the flow control flap  14  in the first position is located such that the upstream end  27   a  contacts the wall portion  32  of the flow duct portion  16  inboard or spaced from the outer skin portion  18  to close flow, while the downstream end  27   b  contacts the outer skin portion  18  to close flow. 
     The heat exchanger  20  disposed in the flow duct portion  16  has a higher ambient air requirement during ground operation of the aircraft than during cruising of the aircraft. During cruising of the aircraft the flow control flap  24  is therefore situated in its second position shown in  FIG. 3 , in which it enables a minimizing of the additional drag caused by the air inlet  12 . During ground operation of the aircraft, on the other hand, the flow control flap  24  is situated in its third position, in which it opens the flow cross section of the air inlet  12  to the maximum extent. Thus, even a blower  22  of smaller dimensions is able to feed enough ambient air through the air inlet  12  into the flow duct portion  16  to guarantee an adequate supply of ambient air to the heat exchanger  20 .