DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFICIENT, LEAK PROOF PLENUM SEAL FOR THE M1 ABRAMS ENGINE INLET

The M1 Abrams will be the primary heavy combat vehicle for the US military for years to come. Improvements to the M1 that increase reliability and reduce maintenance will have a multi-year payback. The M1 engine intake plenum seal couples the air intake plenum to the turbine inlet, and has opportunities for improvement to reduce leakage and intake of FOD (foreign object debris) into the engine, which causes damage and premature wear of expensive components.