Won S Choi

US Patent:

6565035, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Nov 11, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/438159

Inventors:

John J. Kim - Riverside CA
Won Wook Choi - Irvine CA
Myles A. Rohrlick - Oceanside CA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B64D 1300

US Classification:

244 1R, 2441181, 2441295, 244130, 244207, 454 71, 454189, 454192

Abstract:

A system and method for providing an air curtain for impeding the entry of dust, dirt, debris, smoke, insects and other airborne particulate matter into an interior area of an aircraft without the need for disposing heavy, bulky and high power consuming blower assemblies above the opening in the aircraft. The invention comprises a pair of air intake ducts each having a fan disposed therein. The fans draw an ambient airflow into the air intake ducts. Pressurized air from a power unit associated with the aircraft, such as an engine or auxiliary power unit, is injected into the air intake ducts. This has the effect of significantly accelerating the airflow in the air intake ducts to a velocity suitable for forming an air curtain. The air intake ducts are coupled to a manifold having a length sufficient to substantially span the opening of an aircraft at which the air curtain is formed. An air dispenser associated with the manifold directs the airflow out of the manifold in a narrow, width-wise pattern to form an air curtain.