Safety shield for aircraft nacelle

Abstract

The present invention is a safety shield to be secured with nacelle of aircraft. Safety shield is shaped like nacelle such that nacelle is covered by use of safety shield. Shield frame of safety shield is provided with a plurality of openings of pre-defined size and shape and disposed at desired orientations. Openings facilitate ventilation to a mechanical engine provided in nacelle. Safety shield is connected to nacelle by clamping elements that securely clamps safety shield with nacelle. In operation, safety shield prevents collision of birds and foreign particles with fan blade of mechanical engine and thus saves life and failure of mechanical engine.

Claims

1. A system for a safety shield, comprising: a. an aircraft having a nacelle, said nacelle housing a mechanical engine having fan blades; and b. a shield frame having an outer ring and an inner ring, wherein said shield frame is a flat circular structure having a thickness, said outer ring including a plurality of clamping elements in the form of bolts, said bolts being spaced apart, wherein said inner ring includes a plurality of openings dispersed thereon, wherein said plurality of openings are circular in shape, said inner ring further including a central opening having a circular shape, said shield frame being mounted to a front end of said nacelle, wherein said fan blades are located behind said inner ring, wherein said fan blades include a protruding conical section that is inserted within said central opening of said inner ring.

2. The system for a safety shield of claim 1 wherein said plurality of clamping elements are press fitted with said nacelle.

3. The system for a safety shield of claim 1 wherein said shield frame is made of a heat resistant material.

4. The system for a safety shield of claim 1 wherein said plurality of clamping elements are further layered with adhesive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a safety shield fitted on a nacelle of an aircraft, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of safety shield of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 represents a cross-sectional view of safety shield of FIG. 1 shielding a mechanical engine provided in nacelle;

(5) FIG. 4 represents a perspective view of safety shield fitted on nacelle of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 represents an exploded view of safety shield of FIG. 1; and

(7) FIG. 6 represents a front view of safety shield of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(8) Referring now to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 6), where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that a safety shield, in accordance with one embodiment, is provided that includes a shield frame 20 and a clamping elements 30.

(9) Shield frame 20 is fitted on a nacelle 21 of an aircraft 22. Shield frame 20 is basically a frame with a plurality of openings 21. Size of openings 20a is such that openings 20a provide sufficient ventilation to dissipate heat of a mechanical engine 23 fitted in nacelle 21. Shape of openings 20a can be any desired shape or can be various combinations of shapes. Size and shape of shield frame 20 is complementary to size and shape of nacelle opening such that shield frame 20 can be easily fitted and removed from nacelle 21.

(10) Clamping elements 30 is used to clamp shield frame 20 to nacelle 21. Clamping elements 30 can be bolts, or riveted of fasten with screws and the like. In another embodiment, clamping elements 30 can be integral with shield frame 20, for instance, clamping elements 30 can be of size such that clamping elements 30 can be press fitted with nacelle 21. Also additionally, adhesives can be used for securing clamping elements 30. Clamping elements 30 are not limited to ones mention herein the present disclosure and any other clamping elements 30 that can easily secure and remove shield 20 from nacelle 21 are within the scope of the present disclosure.

(11) In one embodiment, safety shield 10 is made of high quality, heat resistant metal. However, any like suitable material with heat resistant capacity is within the scope of the present disclosure.

(12) In operation, when shield 20 is fitted and secured to nacelle 21 and aircraft is take-off conditions or in flight conditions, shield 20 provides adequate ventilation to mechanical engine 23 owing to openings 20a provided. Further, during take-off, mechanical engine 23 experiences high speed rotation because of which while flying of aircraft at lower altitude airborne animals are likely to be sucked and/or collide with fan blades 23a of mechanical engine 23 and end-up their lives. Also, fan blades 23a experiences displacement of one blade on another which results in cascading failure. Also, any foreign object when struck results in such cascading failure. Such failure can also occur when aircraft 22 is flying at a higher altitude after take-off. As, shield 20 is secured to nacelle 21 such occurrence of collision/accidents and events is prevented and saves upon life of airborne animals as well as human life travelling in aircraft and also prevents destruction of property.

(13) Thus, safety shield 10 is simple in design because it is not conventional shield of intricate aerodynamically shape with grooves formed on intricate aerodynamic surface which are difficult to configure. Owing to simple aerodynamic design safety shield 10 is easy to manufacture and also provide adequate shielding for airborne animals for protecting their lives and foreign particles. Safety shield 10 is easy to install and remove for maintenance from nacelle 21. Safety shield 10 provides adequate ventilation to a mechanical engine provided in nacelle 21. Safety shield 10 is easy to be modified as per different shape and size of nacelle 21 and that is easily retrofitted in existing nacelles 21 or fitted in new nacelles. Safety shield 10 thus protects human life and airborne animal life and protects property destruction.

(14) The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.