Blocker Door Pressure Relief Mechanism for Thrust Reversers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft propulsors with thrust reversing systems face overpressurization issues, which can lead to damage to blocker doors and other components due to the high pressure in the air flow path during thrust reversal.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a pressure relief door mechanism in the blocker doors that opens when the air flow path pressure exceeds a threshold, allowing airflow to bypass the main door and relieve pressure, thereby preventing damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the blocker door is moved into the air flow path to produce reverse thrust, then reverse thrust is generated, but the air flow path becomes overpressurized causing damage to the blocker door or other components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereverse thrustVSAvoidoverpressurization damage

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blocker door is segmented into a main door and a pressure relief door. The main door blocks the air flow path to generate reverse thrust, while the pressure relief door is positioned to relieve excess pressure. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve reverse thrust generation and pressure relief, preventing damage to components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the air flow path is blocked to generate reverse thrust, then deceleration capability is improved, but pressure buildup damages the blocker door

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeceleration capabilityVSAvoidblocker door integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief door acts as an intermediary element between the high-pressure air flow path and the blocker door structure. When pressure exceeds a threshold, the pressure relief door opens to allow controlled pressure relief, protecting the main blocker door from damage while maintaining the ability to generate reverse thrust when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 pressure relief door system effectively reduces pressure on the blocker doors and other components, preventing damage and ensuring safe operation during thrust reversal by allowing airflow to bypass when pressures become too high.

Implementation Method 1

The pressure relief door can be configured to move from a closed position to an open position in response to bypass flow path pressure greater than a threshold pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3633173B1Blocker door pressure relief systems and methods

Publication Date: 2021.12.15 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

An aircraft propulsor with a thrust reverser with a pressure relief system is disclosed herein. The aircraft propulsor can include a flow path and a blocker door configured to block the flow path to divert airflow within the flow path to generate reverse thrust. The blocker door can include a main door and a pressure relief door. The pressure relief door can be coupled to the main door and configured to move from a closed position to an open position in response to flow path pressure greater than a threshold pressure. Moving the pressure relief door to the open position can relieve flow path pressure.