Collapsible cowl structure for gas-turbine engine strut

Patent 4474346 Issued on October 2, 1984. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 26, 2002. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Device for mounting a turboreactor on an aeroplane
Patent #: 4037809
Issued on: 07/26/1977
Inventor: Legrand

Integrated gas turbine engine-nacelle
Patent #: 4055041
Issued on: 10/25/1977
Inventor: Adamson , et al.

Attachment for attaching jet propulsion engines to fixed structure
Patent #: 4065077
Issued on: 12/27/1977
Inventor: Brooks

Uniflange coupling assembly Patent #: 4361296
Issued on: 11/30/1982
Inventor: Hall , et al.

Inventors

Assignee

The Boeing Company

Application

No. 06/394773 filed on 03/26/1982

US Classes:

244/54, Mounting244/121, Shields and other protective devices248/554, AIRCRAFT ENGINE SUPPORT415/9, INCLUDING DESTRUCTIBLE, FUSIBLE, OR DEFORMABLE NON-REUSABLE PART60/39.091, With safety device60/797For motor

Examiners

Primary: Blix, Trygve M.
Assistant: Shum, Ivy M.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Classes

B64D 29/00 (20060101)
B64D 27/00 (20060101)
B64D 27/18 (20060101)

Abstract

Aircraft gas-turbine engines (10) are often mounted and supported by strut type structures (12) which contain fuel, oil, electrical and hydraulic engine supply lines. The engine fan (18) is surrounded by a belt (24) made of tough flexible material designed to restrict travel of broken fan blade pieces, ingested objects or other debris (20). The forward strut section (12), adjacent the belt (24), is located outside of the maximum belt deflection envelope (26) except for the engine right and left cowl hinges (62 and 64) and its support structure (30), which structure (30) is made collapsible. This collapsible cowl hinge structure (30) utilizes mechanical fuse connections (68) which upon a dislocation force from the belt (24) allows the structure (30) to disconnect from the strut support structure (12). The collapsible cowl hinge structure (30) will successively move outwards and return, without severe damage to strut, cowl, strut fairing or supply lines (50 and 52) in the event debris ( 20) hits the belt (24) adjacent the forward strut portion.