The Boeing Company

Larry Schneider, Jr

Adrian Stanescu

John E Yestrau

Kyle C Advent

Dan Davis

Joseph B LaBelle

Richard D Stokes, Jr

Richard D Stokes Jr

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.

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

Nacelle inlet structures, engine assemblies and vehicles including the same, and related methods. A nacelle inlet structure of an engine assembly includes an inlet outer barrel and an inlet inner barrel with a tubular portion and an inlet attachment flange. The tubular portion of the inlet inner barrel extends at least partially along a direction parallel to the engine axis, while the inlet attachment flange extends from the tubular portion. The inlet attachment flange is integrally formed with at least a portion of the tubular portion of the inlet inner barrel. The inlet attachment flange is configured to be operatively coupled to an engine case of the engine assembly to operatively couple the nacelle inlet structure to the engine case. In examples, a method of manufacturing an inlet inner barrel includes forming a composite laminate with a composite manufacturing process.

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Charleston, SC, United States of America

Larry Schneider, Jr