Displaceable Trailing Edge Body for Compact Thrust Reverser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thrust reversers for aircraft propulsion systems require thrust reverser doors to be positioned far forward axially, increasing the overall length of the nacelle, which is a limitation for compact designs.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a target-type thrust reverser arrangement with pivotally attached doors and a trailing edge body that can be displaced axially, radially, and pivotally during deployment, allowing for a more compact nacelle configuration by redirecting hot and cold gas streams efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thrust reverser doors are positioned far forward axially to achieve effective thrust reversal, then thrust reversal capability is improved, but the axial overall length of the nacelle increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrust reversal capabilityVSAvoidaxial overall length of nacelle
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The trailing edge body is made displaceable relative to the thrust reverser doors, allowing it to move axially, radially, and pivotally during deployment. This dynamic configuration enables the system to achieve effective thrust reversal with the doors positioned more axially rearward, thereby reducing the overall nacelle length while maintaining reversal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The trailing edge body undergoes multi-dimensional displacement including axial movement, radial movement, and pivotal rotation. This multi-degree-of-freedom movement allows the system to compact the axial length by utilizing radial and angular dimensions to achieve the same thrust reversal effect that would otherwise require greater axial distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If thrust reverser doors are positioned far forward axially to ensure proper gas stream redirection, then flow control effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and nacelle size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow control effectivenessVSAvoidnacelle configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The displaceable trailing edge body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it redirects hot and cold gas streams, provides structural support, and enables compact axial configuration. This multi-functional design achieves effective flow control without requiring the thrust reverser doors to be positioned far forward, thereby reducing overall system complexity and size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3591204B1Thrust reverser with displaceable trailing edge body
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 ROHR INC
  • EP3591204B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591204B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3591204B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An assembly is provided for an aircraft propulsion system (20). This assembly includes a target-type thrust reverser and a tubular trailing edge body (44). The target-type thrust reverser includes a plurality of thrust reverser doors (40,42). Each of the thrust reverser doors (40,42) is configured to pivot between a stowed position to a deployed position. The tubular trailing edge body (44) is configured to at least partially form a gas path nozzle (54) for the aircraft propulsion system (20). The tubular trailing edge body (44) is configured to be displaced when the thrust reverser doors (40,42) pivot from the stowed position to the deployed position.