Apparatus and method for providing fireproofing to an aircraft auxiliary power unit
A fire protection apparatus for an oil cooler in an aircraft auxiliary power unit compartment adapted to at least partially cover the oil cooler to thereby at least partially block flames from directly impinging the oil cooler in the event of a fire in the compartment. An associated means and method are also disclosed.
1. A fire protection apparatus for an oil cooler in an aircraft auxiliary power unit compartment, the oil cooler mounted to an exhaust eductor on an auxiliary power unit in the compartment, the oil cooler having a first side substantially facing the compartment through which air enters the oil cooler and a second side mounted to the exhaust eductor, the fire protection apparatus comprising:
a sensor adapted for sensing a fire in the compartment; and
a fire shield mounted adjacent the oil cooler, the fire shield being operable to at least partially cover the oil cooler in response solely to a signal received from the sensor to thereby at least partially block flames from directly impinging the oil cooler in the event of a fire in the compartment.
2. The fire protection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fire shield comprises a plurality of fire blocking members.
3. The fire protection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fire shield is mounted to the oil cooler.
4. The fire protection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fire shield is mounted adjacent the first side of the oil cooler.
5. The fire protection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fire shield is moveable between a first position, wherein the first side of the oil cooler is substantially uncovered by the fire shield, and a second position, wherein the first side of the oil cooler substantially covered by the fire shield.
6. The fire protection apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the fire shield is pivotably moveable between the first and second positions.
7. The fire protection apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the fire shield is slidably moveable between the first and second positions.
8. The fire protection apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the fire shield is inflatably moveable between the first and second positions.
9. The fire protection apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the fire shield is actively moveable between the first and second positions by an actuating member.
10. The fire protection apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the fire shield is moveable between the first and second positions in response to solely to said signal indicating a fire in the compartment.
11. The fire protection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fire shield is fixed relative to the cooler.
12. A fire protection apparatus in combination with an oil cooler of an aircraft auxiliary power unit disposed within a compartment, the combination comprising:
the oil cooler having a first upstream side and a second downstream side, the first upstream side substantially facing the compartment and through which air enters the oil cooler, the second downstream side mounted to an exhaust eductor of the aircraft auxiliary power unit and through which air exits the oil cooler;
the fire protection apparatus including shield means for substantially blocking impingement of flames on the first upstream side of the oil cooler in the event of a fire within the compartment.
13. The combination of claim 12 , wherein the shield means are movable relative to the oil cooler.
14. The combination of claim 12 , wherein the shield means are fixed relative to the oil cooler.
15. The combination of claim 12 , wherein the shield means are mounted to the first upstream side of the oil cooler.
16. The fire protection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the fire shield substantially completely covers the first upstream side of the oil cooler.
17. An oil cooler assembly for an aircraft auxiliary power unit disposed within a compartment and having an exhaust eductor, the oil cooler assembly comprising:
an oil cooler for mounting to the exhaust eductor within the compartment, the oil cooler having a first side substantially facing the compartment and through which air enters the oil cooler and a second side for mounting to the exhaust eductor and through which air exits the oil cooler; and
a fire protection apparatus for the oil cooler including a fire shield and a sensor adapted for detecting a fire in the compartment, the fire shield being mounted adjacent the first side of the oil cooler, the sensor autonomously producing a signal in response to the detection of a fire, and the fire shield at least partially covering the first side of the oil cooler in response solely to the signal received from the sensor.
18. The oil cooler assembly as defined in claim 17 , wherein the fire shield is moveable from an open position to a closed position when the signal from the sensor indicates the presence of a fire in the compartment, wherein the first side of the oil cooler is substantially uncovered by the fire shield in the open position and the first side of the oil cooler substantially covered by the fire shield in the closed position.
19. The oil cooler assembly as defined in claim 18 , wherein the fire shield is moveable back and forth between the open position and the closed position based on the signal from the sensor.