Counterbalanced cowling assembly for a pylon-mounted engine and nacelle therefor

• US 4,585,189 A
• Filed: 10/22/1984
• Issued: 04/29/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Buxton, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barefoot, Galen L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fiorito, Lynn
• Application Number:
  US06/663,660
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 244/53 R, 244/54, 244/129.4, 244/129.5, 244/110 B, 49/111, 49/112, 49/113, 49/40
• US Class Current: 244/54
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 29/00 Power-plant nacelles, fairings, or cowlings nacelles not otherwise provided for B64C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 29/08 Inspection panels for power plants

Abstract

The invention is a counterbalanced bifurcated cowling assembly for a pylon-mounted engine and nacelle therefor, the pylon 16 extending, generally, horizontally from the fuselage 15 of the aircraft 10. The assembly comprises a first cowling section 18 pivotally attached to the pylon 16 which is rotatable from a closed position partially extending about the upper side of the engine 12 to an open position above the engine. A second cowling section 19 is pivotally attached to the pylon 16 and rotatable from a closed position about the underside of the engine 12 to an open position extending downward from the engine. A hydraulic cylinder 40 having an output drive shaft 42 is at least partially mounted within the pylon 16. A pair of first link 44A, 44B are pivotally attached by their first ends 45A, 45B to the end 46 of the output drive shaft 42 and pivotally attached by their second ends 60A, 60B to the first cowling section 18. A pair of second links 48A, 48B are also pivotally attached by their first ends 50A, 50B to the end 46 of the output drive shaft 42 and pivotally attached by their second ends 64A, 64B to the second cowling section 19. Thus, upon the extension of the output drive 42, the first and second cowling sections 18, 19 are rotated upward and downward, respectively, with their respective weights counteracting each other during movement from the closed position to the open position.

Claims

1. A counterbalanced bifurcated cowling assembly for a pylon-mounted engine and nacelle therefor, the pylon extending horizontally from the fuselage of an aircraft comprising:

a first cowling section pivotally mounted to the pylon and rotatable from a closed position extending partially about the top of the engine to an open position above the engine;

a second cowling section pivotally mounted to the pylon and rotatable from a closed position extending partially about the underside of the engine to an open position extending downward from the engine;

an actuator at least partially mounted within the pylon, said actuator having an output drive shaft;

at least one first link having first and second ends, said first end of said at least one first link pivotally attached to said output drive shaft and said second end of said at least one first link pivotally attached to said first cowling section; and

at least one second link having first and second ends, said first end of said second link pivotally attached to said output shaft and said second end of said at least one second link pivotally attached to said second cowling section;

such that upon the extension of the output drive shaft, the first and second cowling sections are rotated upward and downward, respectively, with their respective weights counteracting each other during movement from the closed position to the open position.

2. The cowling assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising:

guide track means mounted to the pylon, extending along said output drive shaft; and

a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to said output drive shaft on either side thereof, each one of said pair of rollers in rolling contact with said guide track means.

3. The cowling assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said guide track means comprises:

a pair of guide tracks mounted to the pylon, extending along either side of said output drive shaft; and

each one of said pair of rollers in rolling contact with one of said pair of guide tracks.

4. The cowling assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said at least one first and second links extend substantially perpendicular to said output drive shaft when said first and second cowling sections are in the open position.

5. The cowling assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein there are:

two first links having their first ends attached to said output drive shaft on opposite sides thereof between said ouput shaft and said rollers; and

two second links having their first ends attached to said output drive shaft on opposite sides thereof between said drive shaft and said rollers.

6. The cowling assembly as set forth in claim 5 including said first and second cowling sections centers of gravity, said first and second links being inboard of said centers of gravity when said cowling sections are in the closed position and on the outboard side of said centers of gravity when said cowling sections are in the open position.

7. The cowling assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said actuator is a hydraulic actuator.