Patent Application
20200172255
The present disclosure relates generally to gas turbine engines and, more particularly, to the design of fan cowl hinge systems for use with gas turbine engines configured for mounting to the fuselage of an aircraft.
Modern aircraft may utilize one or more gas turbine engines. Such gas turbine engines may be housed in a nacelle, which may either be wing mounted, fuselage mounted, tail mounted, or some combination thereof. A nacelle typically comprises an inlet section, a thrust reverser section and a fan cowl. The fan cowl may include two sections, e.g., an upper fan cowl and a lower fan cowl for a fuselage mounted nacelle. Typically, the upper fan cowl and the lower fan cowl are connected by hinge systems to a pylon or to a structure that is itself connected to the pylon. A latch system may be employed to lock the upper fan cowl to the lower fan cowl when closed about the gas turbine engine to form the nacelle. In various aircraft, such as, for example, business jets, the nacelles tend to be relatively long in an axial direction and of small diameter when sized against comparable engines hung from the underside of a wing. The length of the upper fan cowl and the lower fan cowl associated with such engines can result in difficulty when attempting to access the various components comprising the hinge systems, particularly the components positioned intermediate the entrance and exit sections of the nacelle. Various hinge systems, as described herein, may be used to alleviate such difficulty and, in addition, enable disassembly of the fan cowl components from the remainder of the gas turbine engine to facilitate maintenance and repair.
A hinge assembly for assembling a fan cowl to an inboard fan cowl section is disclosed. In various embodiments, the hinge assembly includes a forward hinge; an aft hinge spaced a distance in a longitudinal direction from the forward hinge; and a first intermediate hinge disposed between the forward hinge and the aft hinge, the first intermediate hinge including a first aperture and a first pin member extending in the longitudinal direction, the first aperture configured to receive the first pin member when the fan cowl is translated in the longitudinal direction with respect to the inboard fan cowl section.
In various embodiments, the first pin member is connected to one of the fan cowl and the inboard fan cowl section. In various embodiments, a second intermediate hinge is disposed between the forward hinge and the aft hinge, the second intermediate hinge including a second aperture and a second pin member extending in the longitudinal direction, the second aperture configured to receive the second pin member when the fan cowl is translated in the longitudinal direction with respect to the inboard fan cowl section. In various embodiments, the second pin member is connected to at least one of the fan cowl and the inboard fan cowl section. In various embodiments, the first pin member is connected to the fan cowl and the second pin member is connected to the fan cowl.
In various embodiments, the forward hinge includes a first hinge element connected to the fan cowl and a second hinge element connected to the inboard fan cowl section. In various embodiments, a first locking member is configured to prevent the first hinge element from translating in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second hinge element when the fan cowl is assembled to the inboard fan cowl section. In various embodiments, the first locking member is a first bolt configured to extend through the first hinge element and the second hinge element.
In various embodiments, the aft hinge includes a third hinge element connected to the fan cowl and a fourth hinge element connected to the inboard fan cowl section. In various embodiments, a second locking member is configured to prevent the third hinge element from translating in the longitudinal direction with respect to the fourth hinge element when the fan cowl is assembled to the inboard fan cowl section.
In various embodiments, the first locking member is a first bolt configured to extend through the first hinge element and the second hinge element and the second locking member is a second bolt configured to extend through the third hinge element and the fourth hinge element.
A fan cowl assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, the fan cowl assembly includes an inboard fan cowl section; and a first fan cowl connected to the inboard fan cowl section via a first hinge assembly, the first hinge assembly comprising: a first forward hinge, a first aft hinge spaced in a longitudinal direction from the first forward hinge, and a first intermediate hinge disposed between the first forward hinge and the first aft hinge, the first intermediate hinge including a first aperture and a first pin member extending in the longitudinal direction, the first aperture configured to receive the first pin member when the first fan cowl is translated in the longitudinal direction with respect to the inboard fan cowl section.
In various embodiments, a second fan cowl is connected to the inboard fan cowl section via a second hinge assembly, the second hinge assembly comprising: a second forward hinge, a second aft hinge spaced in the longitudinal direction from the second forward hinge, and a second intermediate hinge disposed between the second forward hinge and the second aft hinge, the second intermediate hinge including a second aperture and a second pin member extending in the longitudinal direction, the second aperture configured to receive the second pin member when the second fan cowl is translated in the longitudinal direction with respect to the inboard fan cowl section. In various embodiments, the first pin member is connected to at least one of the first fan cowl and the inboard fan cowl section and the second pin member is connected to one of the second fan cowl and the inboard fan cowl section.
In various embodiments, the first forward hinge includes a first forward hinge element connected to the first fan cowl and a second forward hinge element connected to the inboard fan cowl section and the second forward hinge includes a third forward hinge element connected to the second fan cowl and a fourth forward hinge element connected to the inboard fan cowl section.
In various embodiments, a first locking member is configured to prevent the first forward hinge element from translating in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second forward hinge element when the first fan cowl is assembled to the inboard fan cowl section and a second locking member configured to prevent the third forward hinge element from translating in the longitudinal direction with respect to the fourth forward hinge element when the second fan cowl is assembled to the inboard fan cowl section. In various embodiments, the first locking member is a first bolt configured to extend through the first forward hinge element and the second forward hinge element and the second locking member is a second bolt configured to extend through the third forward hinge element and the fourth forward hinge element.
A method of assembling a fan cowl assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method includes the steps of: aligning a first fan cowl having a first hinge assembly positioned thereon with a first counterpart to the first hinge assembly positioned on an inboard fan cowl; translating the first fan cowl in a longitudinal direction to engage the first hinge assembly with the first counterpart to the first hinge assembly; and locking the first hinge assembly to the first counterpart to the first hinge assembly to prevent the first fan cowl from translating in the longitudinal direction with respect to the inboard fan cowl.
In various embodiments, the first hinge assembly includes: a first forward hinge, a first aft hinge spaced in the longitudinal direction from the first forward hinge, and a first intermediate hinge disposed between the first forward hinge and the first aft hinge, the first intermediate hinge including a first aperture and a first pin member extending in the longitudinal direction, the first aperture configured to receive the first pin member when the first fan cowl is translated in the longitudinal direction with respect to the inboard fan cowl.
In various embodiments, the method further includes the steps of: aligning a second fan cowl having a second hinge assembly positioned thereon with a second counterpart to the second hinge assembly positioned on the inboard fan cowl; translating the second fan cowl in the longitudinal direction to engage the second hinge assembly with the second counterpart to the second hinge assembly; and locking the second hinge assembly to the second counterpart to the second hinge assembly to prevent the second fan cowl from translating in the longitudinal direction with respect to the inboard fan cowl.
The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the following detailed description and claims in connection with the following drawings. While the drawings illustrate various embodiments employing the principles described herein, the drawings do not limit the scope of the claims.
The following detailed description of various embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments by way of illustration. While these various embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected, or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. It should also be understood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to “a,” “an” or “the” may include one or more than one and that reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in the plural. Further, all ranges may include upper and lower values and all ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined.
Referring now to the drawings,
With continued reference to the drawings,
The core engine section 104 may generally include a low speed spool and a high speed spool mounted for rotation about a central longitudinal axis A. The low speed spool generally includes an inner shaft that interconnects a fan 118 within the fan section 102, a low pressure compressor within the compressor section 106 and a low pressure turbine within the turbine section 110. The inner shaft may be connected to the fan 118 through a speed change mechanism or gear box to drive the fan 118 at a lower rotational speed than the rotational speed of the low speed spool. The high speed spool generally includes an outer shaft that interconnects a high pressure compressor within the compressor section 106 and a high pressure turbine within the turbine section 110. A combustor is arranged in the combustor section 108 between the high pressure compressor and the high pressure turbine. The air passing through the bypass flow path B mixes with the combustion gases exiting the core flow path C in a mixing section 122 positioned downstream of the core engine section 104 prior to discharge as a mixed exhaust stream 120, which provides the thrust achieved by the gas turbine engine 100.
In various embodiments, a thrust reverser 130 is mounted to the aft end of the gas turbine engine 100. The thrust reverser 130 includes a generally annular exhaust duct 132, which defines an outer boundary for discharging the mixed exhaust stream 120 when the thrust reverser 130 assumes a closed, stowed or retracted position, as illustrated in
With combined reference to
In various embodiments, the upper fan cowl 202 and the lower fan cowl 204 may each define an outboard side 210 of the fan cowl assembly 200 that is configured to provide an opening for access to the engine. In various embodiments, the upper fan cowl 202 and the lower fan cowl 204 may each define an inboard side 212 that is configured for connecting to or proximate the pylon 206. In various embodiments, an upper hinge assembly 214 (or a first hinge assembly) is used to connect the upper fan cowl 202 to an inboard fan cowl section 208 that is itself connected to the pylon 206. In various embodiments, a lower hinge assembly 216 (or a second hinge assembly) is used to connect the lower fan cowl 204 to the inboard fan cowl section 208. The upper hinge assembly 214 and the lower hinge assembly 216 are configured to permit the upper fan cowl 202 and the lower fan cowl 204, respectively, to pivot from a closed configuration, as illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring still to
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Referring now to
In various embodiments, the first tab portion 476 includes a first aperture 485 extending there through, the second tab portion 482 includes a second aperture 486 extending there through, and, if present, the third tab portion 484 includes a third aperture 487 extending there through. In various embodiments, the second tab portion 482 and, if present, the third tab portion 484 are spaced a distance from one another to enable the first tab portion 476 to slide forward and aft between the second tab portion 482 and the third tab portion 484. In various embodiments, a pin member 490, such as, for example, a bolt 488, is configured to be received by the first aperture 485 and by the second aperture 486 and the third aperture 487 (see
Referring now to
Referring to
The disclosure contemplates various embodiments, other than those expressly described above. In various embodiments, for example, rather than the pin member 458 for each intermediate hinge 444 being attached to the upper fan cowl 402, the pin member 458 for each such hinge may be attached to the inboard fan cowl section 408. In various embodiments, various of the intermediate hinges may have the pin member attached to the upper fan cowl 402 and various of the intermediate hinges may have the pin member attached to the inboard fan cowl section 408. These latter embodiments may be realized by simply rotating the intermediate hinge 444 described in
Referring now to
Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.
In various embodiments, system program instructions or controller instructions may be loaded onto a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium (also referred to herein as a tangible, non-transitory, memory) having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a controller, cause the controller to perform various operations. The term “non-transitory” is to be understood to remove only propagating transitory signals per se from the claim scope and does not relinquish rights to all standard computer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory signals per se. Stated another way, the meaning of the term “non-transitory computer-readable medium” and “non-transitory computer-readable storage medium” should be construed to exclude only those types of transitory computer-readable media that were found by In Re Nuijten to fall outside the scope of patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.
Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
Finally, any of the above described concepts can be used alone or in combination with any or all of the other above described concepts. Although various embodiments have been disclosed and described, one of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the principles described or illustrated herein to any precise form. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
