Patent ID: 7086219

Claim:
A cowl structure for a gas turbine engine, the cowl structure comprising inner and outer skins constructed such that at least a major proportion of a load applied to the cowl structure is transmitted along the outer skin, wherein the cowl structure has a principal axis and the inner skin includes first, second and third sections arranged adjacent and in axial alignment with each other parallel to the principal axis of the cowl structure, the first section being resiliently mounted intermediate the second and third sections by joint means, the joint means permitting relative movement between the sections and insulating the second section from the adjacent cowl structure, the joint means includes resilient urging means to allow said relative movement between the sections and urge the adjacent sections away from each other wherein the resilient urging means comprises spring means wherein the cowl structure further comprises internal surfaces across which air can pass in use, wherein the spring means extends substantially radially outwardly from the inner skin, to maintain alignment of the internal surfaces.