The Boeing Company

Antonio B Gonzales

Edward L Lawson

Jack William Mauldin

David W Kwok

John A Weidler

Andrew C Kulak

Max Urban Kismarton

Aaron Jonathan Kutzmann

John Charles Vassberg

Kevin Reed Lutke

Neal A Harrison

David J Manley

Robb Gregg, Iii

Steve Hollowell

Methods and apparatus for supporting engines and nacelles relative to aircraft wings are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a nacelle; a first support structure coupled between a wing and a first side of the nacelle along a thrust axis of an engine; a second support structure coupled between the wing and a second side of the nacelle along the thrust axis, the first support structure spaced apart from the second support structure on the wing, a longitudinal plane to extend through the first support structure, the second support structure, and the thrust axis, the first support structure to be rigidly fixed relative to the wing to substantially prevent movement of the engine by the first support structure, the second support structure to be rigidly fixed relative to the wing to substantially prevent movement of the engine by the second support structure, the first and second support structures to be coupled to opposite sides of the engine to enable thrust loads to be reacted through the first and second support structures to the wing.

Methods and apparatus for supporting engines and nacelles relative to aircraft wings

Methods and apparatus for supporting engines and nacelles relative to aircraft wings are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first support structure to be coupled to a wing, a second support structure to be coupled to the wing and a nacelle. The support structures are coupled to opposite sides of the nacelle. The support structures are to be coupled to opposite sides of an engine to enable thrust loads to be reacted through the support structures to the wing.

Apparatus and methods provide for an aircraft configuration that utilize structural and engine exhaust flow control devices to enhance performance. Aspects of the disclosure provide a fuselage with a pressure vessel nested within a non-cylindrical outer mold line fairing. A twin-boom empennage may be connected to the fuselage. A wing may attach in a blended wing configuration with a sweep angle that positions the aircraft center of lift to minimize any pitching moment induced by the activation or deactivation of an upper surface blown (USB) system. The USB system may include a conformal USB flap positioned downstream of an engine exhaust plume, as well as a controllable USB nozzle aperture to promote exhaust flow attachment to the conformal USB flap. A universal convergent nozzle may be utilized to connect each controllable USB nozzle aperture to a corresponding internally mounted aircraft engine.

Aircraft configuration utilizing fuselage, wing, empennage, and exhaust flow control devices

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Cypress, CA, United States of America

Antonio B Gonzales