Movable aircraft engine cowling

• US 5,035,379 A
• Filed: 04/05/1990
• Issued: 07/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hispano-Suiza Aerostructures
• Original Assignee: Societe Anonyme Dite Hispano-Suiza
• Inventors: Hersen, Rene M. J., Soulter, Pascal-Marie P. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mattix, Carla
• Application Number:
  US07/504,869
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 244/129.4, 244/53 B, 244/53 R, 244/110 B, 292/8, 292/277
• US Class Current: 244/129.4
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/026 comprising different types of power plants, e.g. combination of a piston engine and a gas-turbine Hybrid electric aircraft B64D27/33
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 29/08 Inspection panels for power plants

Abstract

A movable cowling for an aircraft is disclosed having a stationary fairing portion attached to an engine support pylon and a movable cowling portion. The movable cowling portion defines a generally longitudinally extending slot to accommodate the stationary fairing portion when the movable cowling portion is in its closed position to enclose the aircraft engine. The movable cowling portion, which may be generally annular in shape and have a generally "C"-shaped cross sectional shape, is attached to the engine by way of a telescoping beam. A portion of the beam is attached to the movable cowling and a second portion of the beam is attached to the engine. The movable cowling moves in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the engine such that it has no portions requiring lifting about a hinge axis. A locking mechanism is provided between the movable cowling portion and the stationary fairing to lock the movable cowling portion in its closed position.

Claims

1. A cowling for an aircraft engine attached to the aircraft via a pylon mounting structure comprising:

(a) a stationary fairing portion;

(b) a movable cowling portion defining a slot, movable between a closed position wherein the stationary fairing is disposed in the slot such that the engine is enclosed by the movable cowling portion and the stationary fairing, and an open position wherein the movable cowling portion is displaced away from the stationary fairing portion and the engine so as to expose the engine;

(c) attaching means to slidably attach the movable cowling portion to the engine such that the movable cowling is movable between its open and closed positions along a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the engine and,

(d) locking means operatively associated between the movable cowling and the stationary fairing to lock the movable cowling in its closed position, wherein the locking means comprises;

(i) a hollow sleeve member mounted on the stationary fairing;

(ii) a pin member mounted on the movable cowling portion and located so as to engage the hollow sleeve member when the movable cowling portion is in its closed position;

(iii) a ring member located on the movable cowling portion; and

,

(iv) a hook member mounted on the stationary fairing and located so as to engage the ring member when the movable cowling portion is in its closed position.

2. The cowling according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve member and the hook member are located in a plane extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the engine and further comprising a link rod interconnecting the sleeve member and the hook member.

3. The cowling according to claim 1 wherein the attaching means comprises:

(a) a telescoping beam;

(b) means to fasten the beam to the movable cowling portion; and

(c) means to fasten the beam to the engine.

4. The cowling according to claim 3 wherein the telescoping beam has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

5. The cowling according to claim 3 wherein the telescoping beam is attached to a side of the movable cowling opposite from the stationary fairing.