The Boeing Company
MONOLITHIC PARTICLE SEPARATORS

Abstract:

In one embodiment, a monolithic array of particle separators is described that is formed as a single component using an additive manufacturing process. The array may be used as building blocks to generate any sized array of inlet particle separators for jet engines (e.g., a gas turboshaft engine for a helicopter) as desired. If damage occurs to the inlet array during operation of the engine, the modular construction of the inlet array enables the damaged block(s) to be replaced with new blocks, thereby reducing downtime of the aircraft.