Aircraft Propulsion Assembly Actuator Mounting Through Structural Arms

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional propulsion assemblies with sliding cascade reversers face challenges in accommodating actuator connections due to reduced space around the outer casing, leading to excessive loading and incompatibility with contemporary designs, particularly in high-bypass ratio architectures.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft propulsion assembly with a movable thrust reverser that includes a fixed structure, a movable thrust structure, a movable thrust structure, and a linear actuator connected to the movable structure to translate it along a longitudinal axis, with fastening devices positioned between the leading and trailing edges of a structural arm, supporting actuator forces through the arm, reducing loading on the outer casing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional connecting structure with beams fastened to front and rear flanges is used, then the actuator can be mounted securely, but the space around the outer casing increases and the outer casing experiences excessive mechanical loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator mounting securityVSAvoidspace around outer casing

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a conventional beam structure fastened to flanges (requiring significant axial space) to a connecting structure that attaches to the outer casing in a radial/different dimensional orientation. The fastening devices connect to the casing body rather than extending axial beams, thereby reducing the axial space requirement around the outer casing while maintaining secure actuator mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the load-bearing function from the outer casing by introducing a dedicated connecting structure with fastening devices that attach directly to the casing. This separates the actuator mounting function from the outer casing structure, allowing the casing to be relieved of excessive mechanical loads while the connecting structure handles the actuator forces independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a conventional connecting structure is used, then the actuator can be mounted, but the outer casing experiences excessive mechanical loading from the reverser

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator mountingVSAvoidmechanical loading on outer casing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the load-bearing function from the outer casing by introducing a dedicated connecting structure with fastening devices that attach directly to the casing. This separates the actuator mounting function from the outer casing structure, allowing the casing to be relieved of excessive mechanical loads while the connecting structure handles the actuator forces independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting structure acts as an intermediary element between the actuator and the outer casing. It mediates the force transmission, allowing the actuator to be mounted securely while preventing excessive mechanical loads from being transferred directly to the outer casing. The fastening devices serve as the intermediary connection points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If space around the outer casing is reduced for contemporary architectures, then high-bypass ratio design is enabled, but conventional actuator mounting becomes incompatible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace around outer casingVSAvoidactuator mounting compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a conventional beam structure fastened to flanges (requiring significant axial space) to a connecting structure that attaches to the outer casing in a radial/different dimensional orientation. The fastening devices connect to the casing body rather than extending axial beams, thereby reducing the axial space requirement around the outer casing while maintaining secure actuator mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12454927B2Aircraft propulsion assembly comprising an actuator connected to a structural arm such as an outlet guide vane

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 SAFRAN NACELLES

AI summary

A propulsion assembly including an actuator connected to an outer casing of a turbomachine by a connecting structure. The connecting structure is fastened in line with a structural arm connecting the outer casing to a hub of the turbomachine, with a common fastening device, with the result that the arm can withstand loading forces of the actuator while relieving the outer casing.