Air Flow Deflector Assembly for Thrust Reverser Re-ingestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thrust reverser systems for aircraft engines face challenges in reducing re-ingestion of reverse efflux air flow, which can damage engine components and require costly unique cascade vanes with limited forward turning angles, reducing reverse thrust efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An air flow deflector assembly that includes a movable deflector apparatus, extender member, and actuator, which deflects reverse efflux air flow outward when deployed, reducing re-ingestion risk and allowing for effective reverse thrust without the need for extensive unique cascade vane designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If forward turning cascade vanes are used to direct reverser efflux air flow, then re-ingestion risk is reduced, but reverse thrust is lowered due to limited forward turning angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-ingestion riskVSAvoidreverse thrust

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow deflection function is segmented between the cascade vanes (which provide reverse thrust) and the separately deployed air flow deflector apparatus (which redirects efflux air flow outward). This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air flow deflector apparatus is deployed in advance or concurrently with the thrust reverser to preemptively redirect the efflux air flow outward before it can be re-ingested by the engine inlet, preventing the harmful effect before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If unique cascade vane designs with limited forward turning angles are used, then re-ingestion is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-ingestion riskVSAvoidcascade vane design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow deflector apparatus serves as a universal, multi-functional component that can be added to standard cascade vane designs to provide the re-ingestion protection function, eliminating the need for complex unique cascade vane geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The air flow deflector apparatus acts as an intermediary component between the standard cascade vane system and the engine inlet, mediating the air flow to redirect efflux outward without requiring modifications to the cascade vane design itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If cascade vanes with higher forward turning angles are used, then reverse thrust is improved, but re-ingestion risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereverse thrustVSAvoidre-ingestion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air flow control function is segmented between cascade vanes optimized for reverse thrust generation and a separate air flow deflector apparatus optimized for directing efflux air flow outward to prevent re-ingestion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The potentially harmful hot efflux air flow that could be re-ingested is converted into a beneficial outward-directed flow by the air flow deflector apparatus, transforming a hazard into a protective feature that prevents engine damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The air flow deflector assembly effectively reduces re-ingestion of reverse efflux air flow, maintains reverse thrust efficiency, and decreases the number of unique cascade vanes required, thereby lowering costs and engine damage risks.

Implementation Method 1

the air flow deflector apparatus is coupled to the thrust reverser system, and the air flow deflector assembly is configured to deflect a reverse efflux air flow away from being re-ingested into the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow deflection:

Data Source

PatentUS10641207B2Air flow deflector assembly for a thrust reverser system for reducing re-ingestion of reverse efflux air flow and method for the same

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

There is provided an air flow deflector apparatus for a thrust reverser system of an engine of an air vehicle. The air flow deflector apparatus is movable between a stowed non-reversing position and a deployed thrust reversing position, to deflect an air flow out of the engine, and to provide an effective reverse thrust for the thrust reverser system. There is further provided an air flow deflector assembly for a structure. The air flow deflector assembly has the air flow deflector apparatus, an extender member, and a recessed housing disposed in the structure. The air flow deflector assembly has an air flow deflector actuator that moves the air flow deflector apparatus between a stowed position and a deployed position adjacent to a reverse efflux air flow exit portion of the structure. The air flow deflector assembly deflects a reverse efflux air flow away from being re-ingested into the structure.