Flexible Baffle for Aircraft Thrust Reverser Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thrust reverser door baffles are effective for counterthrust but impair propulsion assembly performance in direct jet mode due to their size and complexity, leading to pressure drops and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A flexible baffle made of materials like textiles or ceramic fibers that can unfold and fold during door position changes, reducing size and weight, and eliminating the need for complex retraction mechanisms, while maintaining thrust reversal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a rigid baffle is used to orient gas flow for counterthrust, then thrust reversal performance is improved, but pressure drops increase in direct jet mode
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to change position based on operational mode. The baffle can be extended into the gas flow path during thrust reversal to orient flow effectively, and retracted during direct jet mode to minimize pressure drops and maintain propulsion performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle's position parameter is changed dynamically based on operational requirements. During thrust reversal, the baffle is positioned to maximize flow orientation; during direct jet operation, it is retracted to minimize interference with the gas flow, thus changing the system's geometric parameters to optimize performance for each mode.
2Loss of energy
If a movable baffle retraction mechanism is added, then direct jet mode performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle mechanism is designed to be actuated by the operational conditions themselves rather than requiring complex external control systems. The gas flow dynamics and pressure differentials generated during thrust reversal automatically drive the baffle into position, and the retraction is triggered by the transition to direct jet mode, making the system self-regulating.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle retraction mechanism utilizes pneumatic forces generated by the gas flow itself. Pressure differentials created during thrust reversal operation provide the driving force for baffle movement, eliminating the need for separate mechanical actuators and reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If guidance and articulation means are used for baffle retraction, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex guidance and articulation means are extracted and replaced with a simpler direct actuation mechanism. The baffle is connected directly to the door structure, eliminating intermediate guidance systems and reducing weight while maintaining reliable operation through the inherent mechanical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex guidance systems to control baffle movement, the design inverts the approach by allowing the baffle to move freely in response to operational forces and then securing it in position through simple mechanical stops or guides that minimize weight while ensuring reliable positioning.
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 flexible baffle optimizes flow orientation in reversed jet mode, minimizes pressure drops in direct jet mode, and simplifies the reverser design by reducing weight and complexity, enhancing reliability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
the directing wall and/or the lateral walls comprise a flexible material enabling the baffle to adopt: an unfolded position when the door is open, and a folded position when the door is closed
Data Source
AI summary
A door for a thrust reverser of a propulsion assembly, the door being provided with a flexible baffle. The baffle is configured to change state by moving from a folded position to an unfolded position, and vice versa, depending on the configuration of the reverser. When the reverser is in reverse jet configuration, the door is open and the baffle is in an unfolded position in order to direct a flow of gas upstream of the propulsion assembly, thus generating a counter-thrust. When the reverser is in direct jet configuration, the door is closed and the baffle is in a folded position so as to cancel or minimise interference caused by the baffle in the flow of gas passing through the propulsion assembly and thus generating a thrust.