Patent abstracts

In UK patent 2274490 Short Brothers plc describes an aircraft propulsive power unit. It comprises a nacelle structure housing an engine and having a forward nacelle portion and a rearward nacelle portion. The forward nacelle portion includes an intake opening leading to an intake barrel upstream of the engine for the supply of intake air to the engine. It also has a substantially uninterrupted low drag exterior surface. The power unit includes a structure to support the forward nacelle portion while permitting it to be moved axially from an operational position adjoining the rearward nacelle portion to a forward position to provide access to components of the power unit which are inaccessible with the forward nacelle portion in the operational position. The leading edge of the forward nacelle portion may comprise lip‐skin edges and latching and locating means may be provided. Guide assemblies incorporating track elements and a rack and pinion drive mechanism may also be provided.