Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft power plants
Patent
1990-02-23
1991-03-19
Barefoot, Galen
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft power plants
244219, 244130, B64C 3302
Patent
active
050003992
ABSTRACT:
An annular nacelle for a turbine engine of an aircraft has a variable contour annular air inlet. The variable contour annular inlet includes annular outer and inner surface-defining radially-spaced structures on the forward portion of the nacelle, an annular member disposed between the annular outer and inner structures and coupled to the annular outer structure for sliding movement along the interiors of the annular outer and inner structures, and a plurality of actuating mechanisms coupled between the nacelle body and the annular member. The actuating mechanisms are operable for moving the annular member between forward and rearward positions. At the forward position, the annular member is located between the forward ends of the annular outer and inner structures with the annular outer structure expanded to an enlarged diameter such that the annular member forms therewith an inlet lip having an aerodynamically blunt exterior contour adapted to reduce drag during takeoff and landing operation of the aircraft. At the rearward position, the annular member is spaced rearwardly from the forward ends of the annular outer and inner structures with the annular outer structure contracted to a reduced diameter permitting the annular outer and inner structures at the forward ends thereof to form an inlet lip having an aerodynamically sharp exterior contour adapted to reduce drag during cruise operation of the aircraft.
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Readnour Jack L.
Wright Jack D.
Barefoot Galen
General Electric Company
Squillaro Jerome C.
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