Patent ID: 8329312

Claim:
A preform for forming an inlet of a nacelle, the preform comprising: a substantially flat skin member; a substantially flat support member joined to the skin member by first and second annular joints, the first joint disposed radially outside the second joint such that the joints define an annular space between the skin and support members with the first joint extending annularly proximate to an outer periphery of the annular space and the second joint extending annularly proximate to an inner periphery of the annular space; and a film comprised of a sol-gel material disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the skin member, wherein the support member defines a plurality of apertures extending to the annular space such that the skin member is configured to be formed into the inlet of the nacelle with the support member defining a bulkhead within the inlet by delivering a pressurized fluid through the apertures, and wherein the skin member defines a nonuniform thickness with that portion of the skin member that extends between the first and second joints being thinner than that portion of the skin member that does not extend between the first and second joints.