Collapsible cover for engine inlet and method for covering engine inlet
AssigneeGulfstream Aerospace Corporation
InventorsAndrew Martin, Kristin Medin, Scott Bohanan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An engine inlet cover and a method for covering an engine inlet are provided. A method for covering an engine inlet includes providing a collapsible cover comprising a connection pin defining an axis; a frame including interconnected arms; and a web. Further, the method includes storing the collapsible cover in a stowed configuration in which the arms are aligned. Also, the method includes rotating the arms from the stowed configuration to an operating configuration in which the arms are radially spaced about the axis, enclosing the frame in the operating configuration with the web to define an interior volume, and placing the cover over the engine inlet.
Claims20
A method for covering an engine inlet, the method comprising:
- providing a collapsible cover comprising a connection pin defining an axis;
- a frame including interconnected arms;
- and a web;
- storing the collapsible cover in a stowed configuration in which the arms are aligned;
- rotating the arms from the stowed configuration to an operating configuration in which the arms are radially spaced about the axis;
- enclosing the frame in the operating configuration with the web to define an interior volume;
- and
- placing the cover over the engine inlet.
A collapsible cover for an engine inlet, the cover comprising:
- a connection pin defining an axis;
- a frame including interconnected arms, wherein each arm extends from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the proximal end of each arm receives or is integral with the connection pin, wherein each arm is rotatable about the axis between a stowed configuration of the frame, in which the arms are aligned, to an operating configuration in which the arms are radially spaced about the axis;
- and
- a web configured to enclose a top side of the frame in the operating configuration, wherein the collapsible cover forms a cup with an interior volume for receiving the engine inlet.
A vehicle comprising:
- an engine housing for an engine, wherein the engine housing defines an engine inlet;
- an internal space;
- and
- a collapsible cover for the engine inlet, the cover comprising:
- a connection pin defining an axis;
- a frame including interconnected arms, wherein the arms are rotatable about the axis between a stowed configuration of the frame, in which the arms are aligned and the collapsible cover is stowed within the internal space of the vehicle, to an operating configuration in which the arms are radially spaced about the axis and the engine housing is received within the cover;
- and
- a web configured to enclose a top side of the frame in the operating configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.