MARK DIXON RALSTON
Pilots at Flagstone St, Long Beach, CA
License number
California A1547784
Category
Airmen
Type
Authorized Aircraft Instructor
Address
Address
5318 E Flagstone St, Long Beach, CA 90808
Professional information
Aircraft Auxiliary Air Intake With Ram And Flush Opening Door
US Patent:
6349899, Feb 26, 2002
Filed:
Apr 4, 2000
Appl. No.:
09/542694
Inventors:
Mark D. Ralston - Long Beach CA
Assignee:
The Boeing Company - Chicago IL
International Classification:
B64D 3302
US Classification:
244 53B
Abstract:
An air inlet mechanism having a housing and a door structure, and being particularly well adapted or supplying a ram airflow to an auxiliary power unit (APU) of an aircraft while minimizing the aerodynamic drag created by the mechanism. The housing includes a body portion with a fluid conduit formed therethrough. The body portion also includes a wall member that defines an end wall with at least a portion of the endwall being concave in shape such that a recessed cavity is formed in the fluid conduit. The door structure is pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between a closed position substantially closing the fluid conduit and an open position wherein the door structure is disposed within the fluid conduit. The recessed cavity receives at least a portion of the door structure when the door structure is moved between the closed position and the open position. Construction in this manner provides an air inlet mechanism having relatively high ram recovery when the door structure is placed in a ram position, relatively little aerodynamic drag when the door structure is placed in a closed position, and relatively little back pressure (i. e.
Selective Compound Engine
US Patent:
8028665, Oct 4, 2011
Filed:
Jun 5, 2008
Appl. No.:
12/133366
Inventors:
Mark Dixon Ralston - Long Beach CA, US
International Classification:
F02B 33/00, F02B 25/00
US Classification:
123 68, 123 70 R, 60620
Abstract:
The fuel efficiency of an internal combustion reciprocating piston engine may be increased through selective secondary expansion of exhaust gas in the engine cylinders in order to recover exhaust gas energy which is otherwise wasted by cylinder blow-down at the end of the power stroke. Exhaust valve cam switching, intake valve deactivation, multiple exhaust valves, a specialized exhaust manifold arrangement and an exhaust gas diverter valve can be configured to enable a reciprocating engine to selectively operate in efficient eight stroke cycle compound mode when moderate engine power is demanded, then revert to conventional four stroke cycle non-compound mode operation when high engine power is demanded, without stopping the engine. For a road vehicle application, the benefit is substantially reduced highway cruising fuel consumption, while incurring minimal impact on engine weight, minimal impact on engine manufacturing cost, and no adverse impact on vehicle acceleration performance, hill climbing performance or trailer towing performance.