Patent ID: 6220546
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: B64D

Abstract:
An aircraft engine having opposite front and rear ends and having a longitudinal axis that extends between the front and rear ends, the aircraft engine comprising:an inlet assembly positioned at the front of the aircraft engine and comprising an exterior surface that extends arcuately at least partially around the longitudinal axis of the aircraft engine;right and left cowls, each of which respectively comprises an exterior surface that extends arcuately at least partially around the longitudinal axis of the aircraft engine;a right attachment assembly operative so:the right cowl is movably mounted in relation to the inlet assembly,the right cowl is capable of being moved between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the right cowl is generally rearward of the inlet assembly and proximate portions of the exterior surface of the right cowl and the exterior surface of the inlet assembly are generally flush while the right cowl is in the closed configuration, and the right cowl is generally to the right of the inlet assembly while the right cowl is in the open configuration, andthe right cowl moves both radially away from the longitudinal axis and forward as the right cowl is moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration; anda left attachment assembly operative so:the left cowl is movably mounted in relation to the inlet assembly,the left cowl is capable of being moved between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the left cowl is generally rearward of the inlet assembly and proximate portions of the exterior surface of the left cowl and the exterior surface of the inlet assembly are generally flush while the left cowl is in the closed configuration, and the left cowl is generally to the left of the inlet assembly while the left cowl is in the open configuration, andthe left cowl moves both radially away from the longitudinal axis and forward as the left cowl is moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration.