Cowling with structural hand holds operating also as maintenance position bumpers

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10435166-B2
Application number	US-201715597886-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 17, 2017
Priority date	May 17, 2017
Publication date	Oct 8, 2019
Grant date	Oct 8, 2019

Abstract

An example cowling for a rotorcraft is hinged on a stationary part of an airframe of the rotorcraft and is pivotable from a closed position into a first partially open position and thereafter into a second fully open position. The example cowling includes a rod articulated on the cowling and having a free end configured to releasably engage with the airframe to hold the cowling in the first position; and at least one handhold attached to an exterior surface of the cowling, wherein the at least one handhold has a substantially straight section that in the fully open position rests on a top portion of the airframe so as to more evenly distribute the weight of the cowling on the airframe.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cowling for a rotorcraft, wherein the cowling is hinged on a stationary part of an airframe of the rotorcraft and pivotable from a closed position into a first partially open position and into a second fully open position, the cowling comprising:
a rod articulated on the cowling and having a free end configured to releasably engage with the airframe to hold the cowling in the first position; and
at least one handhold attached to an exterior surface of the cowling, wherein the at least one handhold is configured to rest on a top portion of the airframe in the fully open position.

2. The cowling of claim 1 , wherein the airframe comprises a key slot configured to engage with the free end of the rod in the first position.

3. The cowling of claim 1 , wherein the at least one handhold comprises an elongated, substantially straight section that is shaped and angled with respect to an exterior contact surface of the cowling such that a tangent extending through the straight section extends through a hinge connecting the cowling to the top portion of the airframe.

4. The cowling of claim 1 , wherein in the closed position, the cowling covers a component of the rotorcraft.

5. The cowling of claim 4 , further comprising an opening aligned with an air inlet of the component of the rotorcraft.

6. The cowling of claim 5 , wherein the at least one handhold bridges the opening in a lengthwise direction of the rotorcraft.

7. The cowling of claim 5 , wherein the opening is arranged to seal against a filter of the air inlet.

8. The cowling of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises an auxiliary power unit (APU) of the rotorcraft.

9. The cowling of claim 1 , further comprising one or more latches to secure the cowling on the airframe in the closed position.

10. The cowling of claim 1 , wherein the cowling is constructed of a composite material.

11. A rotorcraft comprising
a cowling hinged on a stationary part of an airframe of the rotorcraft and pivotable from a closed position into a first partially open position and into a second fully open position, the cowling comprising
a rod articulated on the cowling and having a free end configured to releasably engage with the airframe to hold the cowling in the first position; and
at least one handhold attached to an exterior surface of the cowling, wherein the at least one handhold is configured to rest on a top portion of the airframe in the fully open position.

12. The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the free end of the rod releasably engages with a key slot.

13. The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the at least one handhold comprises an elongated, substantially straight section that is shaped and angled with respect to an exterior surface of the cowling such that a tangent extending through the straight section extends through a hinge connecting the cowling to the top portion of the airframe.

14. The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the at least one handhold bridges in a lengthwise direction of the rotorcraft an opening disposed in the cowling.

15. The rotorcraft of claim 14 , wherein the opening is configured to provide an air inlet of the component of the rotorcraft.

16. The rotorcraft of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of latches configured to secure the cowling on the airframe in the closed position.

17. The rotorcraft of claim 11 , wherein the cowling is constructed of a composite material.

18. A method for facilitating access to a component of a rotorcraft disposed underneath a cowling, the method comprising:
allowing maintenance personnel to grasp at least one handhold attached to an exterior surface of the cowling and climb up to a platform;
opening the cowling to a first partially open position and supporting the cowling on an airframe of the rotorcraft in the first partially open position; and
opening the cowling from the first position to a second fully open position, wherein in the second position the at least one handhold rests on a top portion of the airframe.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the cowling is supported on the airframe in the first partially open position by a rod articulated on the cowling and engaging with a key slot disposed on the airframe.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the at least one handhold comprises an elongated, substantially straight section that is shaped and angled with respect to an exterior contact surface of the cowling such that a tangent extending through the straight section extends through a hinge connecting the cowling to the top portion of the airframe.

Assignees

• Bell Helicopter Textron Inc

Inventors

• Scannell Brent
• Paradis Jean Pierre
• Mast Thomas

Classifications

• B64D29/08 Primary

  Inspection panels for power plants · CPC title

• B64D41/00

  Power installations for auxiliary purposes · CPC title

• B64C1/1446

  Inspection hatches (for engine cowls B64D29/08) · CPC title

• B64D29/06

  Attaching of nacelles, fairings or cowlings · CPC title