Abstract: A latch system is provided for an aircraft nacelle. In one embodiment, the nacelle (10) comprises first (24) and second (18) cowls that are hingedly mounted to the nacelle for pivotal movement between closed, operational positions and open, maintenance positions. The latch system comprises latch means (42) movable to and from a latched position in which the latch means holds the first cowl in its closed position and prevents it from moving to an open position. The latch means includes locking means (152, 168) associated with the second cowl for holding the latch means in its latched position when the second cowl is in its closed position. As a result, the first cowl is held in its closed position when the second cowl is in its closed position. In a second embodiment, a disengageable latch (40) is provided for latching the edge of a cowl remote from the cowl hinge point (132).

Abstract: A composite base structure (70) and end fitting (26) are secured together by a composite joint to form a graphite-epoxy composite nacelle diagonal strut (20). The elongated base structure (70) has a wall (72) formed of a cured epoxy reinforced with layers of graphite fibers (100, 102, 104, 106) extending in elongated and transverse directions. The layers of fibers in the elongated direction (100, 104) and transverse direction (102, 106) extend onto a large diameter end (52) of a conical end portion (46) of an end fitting (26) and terminate on the conical portion adjacent a small diameter end (60). The layers of the elongated and transverse fibers (100, 102, 104, 106) are interlayered with layers (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) of graphite fibers generally circumferentially wrapped on the conical portion (46), the layers on the conical portion being impregnated with the cured epoxy.