turbine - engine air inlet

what is the air inlet for

guides air into the compressor with minimal energy loss from drag or ram pressure drop

volume of air passing through the engine depends on

• Compressor speed (RPM)

• Forward speed of aircraft

• Density of surrounding air

how are direct air inlets installed

nose inlet cowl is bolted directly to the front of engine

how are combination air inlets installed

#2 tail engine inlet duct passes through and is part of the vertical stab

how is the air inlet installed on turboprop/turboshaft

reverse flow turboprop engines use inlet ducts mounted below the engine with inlet screens

how are wing air inlets installed

engine is mounted towards the back of the wing

how are fuselage air inlets installed

engine is mounted at the back of aircraft

subsonic inlet

divergent duct

supersonic inlet

convergent-divergent duct

bellmouth air inlet

helicopters

vortex generator

• smooths out airflow entering the compressor

• small tabs

• transports energy into the boundary layer from the outer flow by creating small vortices

• installed in longer or unconventional intake ducts

vortex dissipaters

• solve the problem where inlet vortices are formed around intakes from the low pressure created by the compressor (which will increase FOD ingestion)

• directs high pressure bleed air from the lower part of nose cowl

anti-ice

directs hot compressor air to anti-icing zones