Arrangement for maintaining laminar air flow over gaps in aircraft engine nacelle surfaces

摘要

A system for eliminating turbulence in aerodynamic surfaces, such as engine nacelles, resulting from air passing over joints and gaps in the aerodynamic surface. Basically, this system includes a suction chamber within the nacelle and extending along the inner skin wall adjacent to gaps or joints, such as around access doors, at the interface between the nose cowl and the fan cowl door, etc. Typically, a series of apertures extend through a top portion of the suction chamber below the gap to permit air to pass from the gap to the suction chamber. At least one duct communicates with the chamber and extends to a suction pump. In operation, the pump sucks air through the duct, suction chamber, apertures and gap, to prevent the formation of a transition from low drag laminar flow to high drag turbulent flow at the gap.