Apparatus for disposal of leaking fluids in a turbofan engine

Claim 1

In combination with a turbofan engine having a leaking fluid disposal apparatus of the type wherein ventilating air from the bypass ducting is drawn through ports in the cowl separating the bypass ducting and the core engine stages, the cowl having at its midsection in the area containing the engine fuel lines, a diameter sufficient to form between said cowl and said core engine stages an annular shaped cavity through which said ventilating air flows, and wherein means are included for exhausting the combination of ventilating air and vaporized leakage fluids into the confluence of the bypass airstream and the gases emitted from the tailpipe of said core engine stages, the improvement which comprises: turbulent flow inducing means for directing the flow of ventilating air being brought through said ports in said cowl into all cavities around the exterior of said core engine stages, said turbulent flow of air causing vaporization of all leaking fluids, said turbulent flow inducing means including (a) a bulkhead spacer disc of annular configuration positioned just aft of said engine fuel lines and having its outer periphery attached to the inner wall of said cowl, said spacer disc having a multiplicity of orifices therethrough for allowing passage of ventilating air, and (b) a cylindrical metallic shield attached at one of its ends to the inner edge of said bulkhead spacer disc, said shield encircling the hot core engine stages aft of said fuel lines and serving to prevent leaking fluids from striking surfaces of said core engine stages which are above the ignition temperature of said leaking liquids, the combination of said shield and said disc serving to cause rapid vaporization of leaking liquids during operation of said turbofan engine.