Deployable Fairing for Thrust Reverser Door Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern business jets using door type thrust reversers face challenges in deploying the doors efficiently due to limited space, where the doors and hinges need to be close together, leading to potential clashes during the deploy/stow cycle, and existing solutions do not effectively provide clearance for the doors to rotate into a fully deployed position without occupying the same space.
Innovation Solution
A deployable fairing actuation arrangement using a bell crank and links is introduced, which moves away from the central axis to provide clearance for the thrust reverser doors to rotate, allowing independent or dependent actuation based on the rotational position of the doors, enabling clean trim lines and additional space for the thrust reverser structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the reverser door and hinge are positioned close together to save space, then the space utilization is improved, but the risk of clash during deploy/stow cycle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during door deployment. The fairing rotates from a forward position during stow to a rearward position during deploy, creating time-dependent spatial separation that eliminates clash risk while maintaining compact overall dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces temporal dimension to the spatial arrangement by making the fairing position change over time. During different phases of operation (stow vs deploy), the fairing occupies different positions along the rotation axis, effectively using time-based separation to resolve the spatial conflict between compactness and clash avoidance
2Length of moving object
If the fairing is positioned forward to provide clearance for door rotation, then the clearance is improved, but the available space for door and hinge installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing transitions from a static forward-positioned design to a dynamic system that rotates backward during deployment. This allows the fairing to occupy forward space during stow (providing clearance) but move rearward during deploy (freeing up installation space for door mechanisms)
3Device complexity
If a fixed fairing design is used, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the ability to provide clearance during door deployment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms a simple fixed fairing into a dynamic movable fairing system. The added complexity of movability (rotation capability) enables the fairing to provide clearance during deployment while maintaining aerodynamic fairness during stow, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and clearance capability
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust reverser may include a frame, an actuation arrangement, a reverser door pivotally coupled to the frame, and a deployable fairing pivotally coupled to the frame, wherein the deployable fairing is configured to move away from a central axis of the thrust reverser to provide clearance for one of more thrust reverser pivot doors to rotate into a deployed position.