Hinge with offset pivot line

A hinge system for pivoting a first structure relative to a second structure and having a non-linear contact line between said structures which comprises:

• at least two first hinges each having brackets secured to said first and second structures, at least one finger extending from each of said brackets and a hinge pin extending through the distal ends of said fingers, said hinge pins arranged in a substantially straight line substantially parallel to a non-linear line of contact between said structures;
• at least one second hinge assembly having first and second brackets secured to said first and second structures, respectively, at least one first link pivotally secured to said first bracket, at least one second link pivotally connected to said first links and pivotally connected to said second bracket;
• said second hinge assembly spaced from said stright line but adapted to pivot about a hinge line in space that lies along said straight line;
• spherical bearings connecting said at least one second link to said second bracket and to said at least one first link for accommodating thermal expansion of said second structure relative to said first structure along said straight line.

In an aircraft engine cowl assembly mounted on an aircraft by a pylon and having a three-dimensionally curved panel forming a portion of said cowl;

• said cowl portion being pivotally secured to said pylon by a system including multiple spaced hinges for movement between a closed position contiguous with said cowl and an open position swung away from said cowl to permit access to engine components beneath said cowl portion, the line of contact between said cowl portion and said pylon in the closed position being non-linear;
• said multiple hinges including
• at least two first hinges each having a first bracket secured to said cowl portion adjacent to said pylon, a second bracket secured to said pylon adjacent to said cowl portion, at least one finger secured to and extending from each of said brackets, and a pin extending through said fingers about which said first hinges are adapted to pivot, the axes of said pins lying along a substantially straight line;
• the improvement comprising:
• at least one second hinge having first and second brackets secured, respectively, to said pylon and core portion adjacent to said contact line, at least one first and second link pivotally secured to a respective one of said brackets, the distal ends of said links pivotally secured together, said brackets and links positioned away from said straight line with the hinge line of said second hinges lying outside of said second hinges and along said straight line;
• and
• spherical bearings connecting said at least one second link to said second bracket and to said at least one first link for accommodating thermal expansion of said second structure relative to said first structure along said straight line.

A hinge assembly for use with an aircraft engine cowl assembly mounted on an aircraft by a pylon and having a three-dimensionally curved panel forming a portion of said cowl adjacent to said cowl;

• said cowl portion being pivotally secured to said pylon by a system including multiple spaced hinges for movement between a closed position contiguous with said cowl and an open position swung away from said cowl to permit access to engine components beneath said cowl portion, the line of contact between said cowl portion and said pylon in the closed position being non-linear;
• said multiple hinges including:
• at least two first hinges each having a first bracket secured to said cowl portion adjacent to said pylon, a second bracket secured to said pylon adjacent to said cowl portion, at least one finger rigidly secured to and extending from each of said brackets, and a pin extending through the distal ends of said fingers, said first hinges being adapted to pivot about said pins, the axes of said pin lying along a substantially straight line;
• and
• at least one second hinge having first and second brackets secured, respectively, to said pylon and core portion adjacent to said contact line, at least one first and second link pivotally secured to a respective one of said brackets, the distal ends of said links pivotally secured together, said brackets and links positioned away from said straight line with the inge line of said second hinges lying outside of said second hinges and along said straight line;
• and
• spherical bearings connecting said at least one second link to said second bracket and to said at least one first link for accommodating thermal expansion of said second structure relative to said first structure along said straight line.