Aircraft engine inlet cowl anti-icing system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, there is provided a system for preventing and removing ice accumulation from the inboard and outboard surfaces of the inlet cowl of an aircraft gas turbine engine.
An annular chamber is formed within the inlet cowl with the forward inboard and forward outboard walls of the cowl forming walls of the chamber.
Located within this chamber is an annular air duct which, during engine operation, is provided with high pressure, high temperature air preferably from a port on the engine compressor.
A plurality of air ejector nozzles are spaced about the air duct and function to direct anti-icing air at a supersonic velocity toward the forward inboard surface of the inlet cowl.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the nozzles are angled to create a swirling mass of anti-icing air which scrubs all surfaces of the chamber.
An improved means of exhausting the spent anti-icing air from the chamber through a plurality of small vents located in the inboard surface of the cowl into the inner barrel of the engine inlet is also provided.
The above and other objects of the present invention together with the features and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which applicable reference numerals have been carried forward.