| 摘要 |
A hinge system for a curved surface that has several first hinges arranged along a straight hinge line and at least one second hinge offset from the hinge line. In a preferred embodiments, these hinges are fastened to a pylon and support a curved portion of an aircraft jet engine cowl, which may contain a thrust reverser assembly, to permit the cowl to pivot away from the engine for examination or repair of internal components. The hinges also accommodate engine thermal expansion which changes the distance between hinges along the cowl. The first hinges have their hinge points lying along the straight cowl hinge line. The second hinges include a plurality of short first links pivotally connected to the supporting pylon, and a plurality of short second links pivotally connected to the first links and the cowl. The link lengths are selected so that the assembly pivots about a hinge point outside the hinge structure that lies along the straight hinge line formed by the first hinges. The first links are adapted to change orientation to accommodate thermal expansion as the engine heats in operation. This hinge system permits designing the engine cowl with an optimum curved shape while permitting convenient hinged access to engine components.
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