GB528130A - Improvements relating to cabin or cockpit covers for aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

528,130. Aircraft windscreens. REID & SIGRIST, Ltd., and BOWER, C. April 27, 1939, No. 12680. [Class 4] A streamline cabin or cockpit cover comprises a movable door part normally in continuous contour with a fixed part of substantially the same sectional shape and mounted so that it can be moved so as to enter into and slide, within the fixed part, the door being'adapted to be deformed so as to contract in breadth and mounted so as simultaneously to be dropped relative to the fixed part enabling it to slide therein. As shown in Fig. 3, the cabin top comprises a windscreen 1, door 2 and fixed portion 3 constructed of light metal framework 8 panelled with transparent material 9. The door 2, Fig. 4, is of inverted U-section with diverging side walls 2A and is mounted by longitudinal extending hinges 14 on runners 12A, 13A slidable in channels 12, 13. In the closed position the lower edges of the side walls 2A abut or overlap the edges 4A of the fuselage, see Fig. 5, and the hinges 14 form a draught seal. Also the front and rear edges 10, 11 of the door abut the edges of the windscreen 1 and fixed portion 3, a rubber sealing member 17, Fig. 6, being provided at the rear edge. To open the door rack and pinion mechanism 19, Fig. 7, is operated to tension Bowden cables 20, 21 connected to cranks 22 mounted at both sides of the windscreen 1. The cranks carry pins 23, accommodated in recesses in the walls 2A and windscreen 1, which on movement of the cranks engage the walls 2A and urge them inwards. Similar mechanism may be provided at the rear edges of the door. As the walls 2a are moved inwards the door is simultaneously dropped due to the action of the hinges 14 until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 4, in which position it may be slidden into the part 3. The hinges 14 pass a dead centre position during deformation and dropping of the door. so the latter is retained in its dropped position In a modification, Fig. 8 (not shown) inclined double pivot hinges are employed instead of the hinges 14 so that the door is moved backward simultaneously as it is deformed and dropped. In this case flexible flanges are provided to seal the gap between the side edges of the door and the fuselage. Aerodynamic means may be employed to urge the walls 2A inwardly or outwardly to open or close the door, e.g. flaps or vanes, controlled from within the cabin and mounted at the rear edge of the windscreen, may be provided to direct the airstream or louvres may be provided in the cabin top to adjust the relation between the internal and external pressures acting on the surfaces of the door.