Energy efficient ips blower assembly

Abstract

According to the invention a method and apparatus relating to a blower that is used in an environment of particle contaminated air, as with a helicopter engine, is disclosed. The blower has a power input, a fan, a power output attaching to the fan, and a clutch disposed between the power input and the power output whereby the power input may be selectively coupled to the power output to move the fan to vent the particle contaminated air. The clutch, which may be electrically, mechanically or hydraulically engaged, is activated by a user, a particle or altitude sensor, or by a full authority digital electronic controller (“FADEC”).

I claim: 
     
         1 . A blower for use in a helicopter that operates in an environment of particle contaminated air, said blower comprising:
 a power input;   a fan;   a power output attaching to said fan; and   a clutch disposed between said power input and said power output whereby said power input may be selectively coupled to said power output to move said fan to vent said particle contaminated air.   
     
     
         2 . The blower of  claim 1  wherein said blower further comprises:
 an altimeter to determine whether said blower is above an altitude in which particle contaminated air is usually not encountered. 
 
     
     
         3 . The blower of  claim 1  wherein said blower further comprises:
 a switch for a user to engage or disengage said clutch 
 
     
     
         4 . The blower of  claim 1  wherein said blower further comprises:
 a full authority digital electric controller (“FADEC”) for controlling activating and deactivating said clutch. 
 
     
     
         5 . The blower of  claim 4  wherein said FADEC optimizes operation of said blower depending on operating parameters. 
     
     
         6 . A method for improving the efficiency of an engine operating in an environment of particle contaminated air, said method comprising:
 inputting power to a clutch;   attaching said clutch to a blower; and   selectively engaging said clutch to output said power to said blower.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said method further comprises:
 selectively disengaging said clutch to not output said power to said blower if not in said environment. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said method further comprises:
 selectively engaging said clutch if said environment is sensed. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said method further comprises:
 selectively engaging said clutch if said engine is at an altitude in which said environment occurs. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said method further comprises:
 selectively engaging said clutch if chosen by a user. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said method further comprises:
 selectively engaging said clutch if commanded by a FADEC. 
 
     
     
         12 . A blower for use in an environment of particle contaminated air, said blower comprising:
 a power input;   a fan;   a power output attaching to said fan; and   a clutch disposed between said power input and said power output whereby said power input may be selectively coupled to said power output to move said fan to vent said particle contaminated air.   
     
     
         13 . The blower of  claim 12  wherein said blower further comprises:
 a sensor for determining whether environment is particle contaminated. 
 
     
     
         14 . The blower of  claim 12  wherein said clutch is electronically activated. 
     
     
         15 . The blower of  claim 12  wherein said clutch is mechanically activated. 
     
     
         16 . The blower of  claim 12  wherein said clutch is hydraulically activated. 
     
     
         17 . The blower of  claim 12  wherein said blower further comprises:
 an altimeter to determine whether said blower is above an altitude in which particle contaminated air is usually not encountered. 
 
     
     
         18 . The blower of  claim 12  wherein said blower further comprises:
 a switch for a user to engage or disengage said clutch 
 
     
     
         19 . The blower of  claim 12  wherein said blower further comprises:
 a full authority digital electric controller (“FADEC”) for controlling activating and deactivating said clutch. 
 
     
     
         20 . The blower of  claim 19  wherein said FADEC optimizes operation of said blower depending on operating parameters.