Lipskin for a nacelle and methods of making the same
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsAlex C. Lumbab, Bradley Scott Leisten
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lipskin for a nacelle includes a generally annular first lipskin segment that extends generally upstream from a first lipskin edge to a forward edge. The forward edge is proximate to a hilite of the nacelle. The lipskin also includes a generally annular second lipskin segment that extends generally downstream from the forward edge to a second lipskin edge. The second lipskin segment is oriented generally concentrically about the first lipskin segment. The first lipskin segment and the second lipskin segment are coupled together at the forward edge.
Claims20
A lipskin for a nacelle, said lipskin comprising:
- a first lipskin segment that extends from a first lipskin edge to a forward edge, wherein said forward edge is proximate to a circumferential locus of stagnation points defined for an inlet of the nacelle at a target inlet air flow operating condition for the nacelle;
- and
- a second lipskin segment that extends from said forward edge to a second lipskin edge, said second lipskin segment substantially circumscribes said first lipskin segment, wherein said first lipskin segment and said second lipskin segment are separately formed and coupled together at said forward edge.
A nacelle for an engine, said nacelle comprising:
- a first lipskin segment that extends from a first lipskin edge to a forward edge, wherein said forward edge is proximate to a circumferential locus of stagnation points defined for an inlet of said nacelle at a target inlet air flow operating condition for said nacelle, said first lipskin segment configured to contact an internal airflow through said nacelle;
- and
- a second lipskin segment that extends from said forward edge to a second lipskin edge, said second lipskin segment substantially circumscribes said first lipskin segment, wherein said first lipskin segment and said second lipskin segment are separately formed and coupled together at said forward edge, said second lipskin segment configured to contact an external airflow over said nacelle.
A method of making a lipskin for a nacelle, said method comprising:
- orienting a first lipskin segment and a separately formed second lipskin segment such that the second lipskin segment substantially circumscribes the first lipskin segment, wherein the first lipskin segment extends from a first lipskin edge to a forward edge and the second lipskin segment extends from the forward edge to a second lipskin edge, and wherein the forward edge is proximate to a circumferential locus of stagnation points defined for an inlet of the nacelle at a target inlet air flow operating condition for the nacelle;
- and
- coupling the first lipskin segment and the second lipskin segment together at the forward edge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.