NACELLE

• US 20130220435A1
• Filed: 02/24/2012
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ROHR Incorporated (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: ROHR Incorporated (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: James, Norman John
• Granted Patent: US 9,783,315 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/15.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/12 within, or attached to, wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/40 Arrangements for mounting power plants in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 29/00 Power-plant nacelles, fairings, or cowlings nacelles not otherwise provided for B64C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 29/06 Attaching of nacelles, fairings or cowlings
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 29/08 Inspection panels for power plants
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/30 for varying effective area of jet pipe or nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 1/32 for reversing thrust
• CPC Class Codes: F23R 3/60 Support structures; Attaching or mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0536 Highspeed fluid intake means [e.g., jet engine intake]

Abstract

A nacelle includes at least a first cowling which at least partially defines an inlet of the nacelle and which at least partially defines an outlet of the nacelle. The first cowling can include a unitary portion that extends continuously from the inlet to the outlet. The nacelle also includes a second cowling that at least partially defines the inlet and which translates relative to the first cowling. The nacelle can include a third cowling that at least partially defines the outlet and translates relative to the first cowling.

Claims

1. A nacelle having an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the nacelle comprising:

a first cowling extending between the inlet and the outlet and circumscribing at least a portion of the nacelle about the longitudinal axis; and

a second cowling defining a portion of the inlet and being configured to longitudinally translate relative to the first cowling.

2. The nacelle of claim 1, wherein the first cowling circumscribes the longitudinal axis between 10°

and 180°

.

3. The nacelle of claim 1 further comprising a pylon, at least a portion of the pylon being integral to the first cowling.

4. The nacelle of claim 1 further comprising a third cowling at least partially defining the outlet, the third cowling being disposed adjacent to the first cowling.

5. The nacelle of claim 4, wherein the third cowling is configured to translate longitudinally relative to the first cowling.

6. The nacelle of claim 4, wherein the first cowling extends continuously between two outer edges, and wherein the two outer edges abut the third cowling.

7. A nacelle having an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the nacelle comprising:

a first cowling at least partially defining the inlet and at least partially defining the outlet;

a second cowling at least partially defining the inlet, the second cowling being configured to longitudinally translate relative to the first cowling; and

a third cowling at least partially defining the outlet.

8. The nacelle of claim 7, wherein the second cowling comprises at least two sleeves, each sleeve being independently rotatable relative to the first cowling.

9. The nacelle of claim 7, wherein the third cowling comprises at least two sleeves, each sleeve being independently rotatable relative to the first cowling.

10. The nacelle of claim 9, wherein each of the at least two sleeves is independently translatable relative to the first cowling.

11. The nacelle of claim 7 further comprising at least one engagement structure having a first component and a second component slidable relative to the first component, the first component being secured relative to the first cowling and the second component being secured relative to the second cowling.

12. The nacelle of claim 7 further comprising at least one engagement structure having a first component and a second component slidable relative to the first component, the first component being secured relative to the first cowling and the second component being secured relative to the third cowling.

13. A nacelle having an inlet, an outlet, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the nacelle comprising:

a first cowling at least partially defining the inlet and at least partially defining the outlet; and

a second cowling slidingly coupled to and supported by the first cowling so as to move between at least a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position, the second cowling defining at least a portion of the inlet when in the first position.

14. The nacelle of claim 13, wherein the second cowling extends forward of the first cowling when in the second position.

15. The nacelle of claim 13, wherein the second cowling comprises at least two sleeves, each sleeve being independently rotatable relative to the first cowling.

16. The nacelle of claim 13 further comprising at least one engagement structure having a first component and a second component slidable relative to the first component, the first component being secured relative to the first cowling and the second component being secured relative to the second cowling.

17. The nacelle of claim 13 further comprising a third cowling, the third cowling defining a portion of the outlet.

18. The nacelle of claim 17, wherein the third cowling comprises at least two sleeves, each sleeve being independently translatable relative to the first cowling.

19. The nacelle of claim 18, wherein the at least two sleeves are independently rotatable relative to the first cowling.

20. The nacelle of claim 17 further comprising at least one engagement structure having a first component and a second component slidable relative to the first component, the first component being secured relative to the first cowling and the second component being secured relative to the third cowling.