Abstract: A system for protecting the strut and wing structure of an airplane from high temperatures proximate the exhaust nozzle end of a jet engine employs a set of outer spring metal fingers attached to the exhaust nozzle outer sleeve and which bear against the strut structure, and a second set of inner spring metal fingers, interleaved with the first, which close off interfinger slots in the first or outer set whereby to maintain firewall integrity. Hot gases are thereby prevented from passing forwardly into the strut structure and wing area so as to protect the same in the event of an engine fire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing damage to overlapping cowl side edges (23, 25) in the event the cowls (3, 4) are closed in the wrong order. The underlapping edge (23) has a cut-out region (22) that is sufficiently large to permit at least a portion (11) of the overlapping edge (23) to pass therethrough if the cowls (3, 4) are closed in the wrong sequence. A flexible, fireproof seal (24) extends across the cut-out region (22), and maintained firewall integrity between the cowls (3, 4). The seal (24) is sufficiently flexible so as to not impede passage of the overlapping edge portion (11) through the cut-out region (22).

Abstract: An aircraft engine cowling interlock system (10) for sequencing the closure of adjacent overlapping cowlings. The cowling interlock system (10) includes a telescoping rod (22) that holds an overlapping thrust reverser cowling (12) in an open position; a locking mechanism (24) that locks the telescoping rod (22) and the thrust reverser cowling (12) in the open position; and a connecting assembly (26) that connects the locking mechanism (24) to an overlapped core cowling (14), such that the locking mechanism (24) locks the telescoping rod (22) in the open position when the core cowling (14) is in an open postion to prevent closure of the thrust reverser cowling (12), and the locking mechanism (24) unlocks the telescoping rod (22) when the core cowling (14) is in a closed position to allow closure of the thrust reverser cowling (12).