Nacelle inlet structures, engine assemblies and vehicles including the same, and related methods

US12338744B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Joseph Benjamin LaBelle · Mount Pleasant, US
• Richard Stokes · Shavertown, US
• Kyle C. Advent · Carrollton, US
• John Yestrau · Ste. Anne, CA
• Adrian L. Stanescu · Irvine, US
• Dan Davis · Bothell, US
• Larry Schneider · Wadsworth, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 5, 2024
• Grant date: Jun 24, 2025
• Expiry date: Aug 5, 2044

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/60
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Nacelle inlet structures comprise an inlet inner barrel, an inlet outer barrel at least substantially enclosing the inlet inner barrel, an aft bulkhead extending between and operatively coupled to each of the inlet inner barrel and the inlet outer barrel, and an annular load absorber that is operatively coupled to each of the aft bulkhead and the inlet inner barrel. The aft bulkhead is operatively coupled to the inlet inner barrel via the annular load absorber, and the annular load absorber has a U-shaped cross-section that is open toward the inlet outer barrel.