Aircraft Nacelle Thrust Reverser Deflectors for Sensor-Safe Flow Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thrust reversal devices in aircraft nacelles with cascades of vanes have a significant mass, disrupting the operation of sensors like airspeed sensors due to their orientation and positioning.

Innovation Solution

The thrust reversal device incorporates transverse and longitudinal deflectors that extend over the entire height of the lateral opening, reducing mass and orienting the air stream away from sensitive zones, such as sensor locations, using T-shaped or V-shaped cross-sectioned longitudinal deflectors and secondary deflectors to manage airflow effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cascades of vanes are used in the thrust reversal device, then the air stream can be oriented effectively, but the mass of the device increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair stream orientation capabilityVSAvoidthrust reversal device mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The thrust reversal device is divided into multiple independent deflectors (first deflector, second deflector, third deflector) that can be positioned independently. Each deflector handles a specific portion of the air stream orientation task, replacing the traditional heavy cascade of vanes with lighter, segmented components that achieve the same overall orientation effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deflectors are positioned at different angular positions around the nacelle circumference, utilizing the circumferential dimension to orient the air stream. Instead of using a dense radial arrangement of vanes, the invention distributes deflectors angularly to achieve comprehensive air stream control with reduced mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the thrust reversal device is positioned to effectively reverse thrust, then thrust reversal performance is improved, but sensors on the aircraft are disrupted by the device's orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrust reversal performanceVSAvoidsensor disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deflectors are designed with specific local characteristics - each deflector has a defined angular position and orientation that directs the air stream along a specific path. The third deflector is specifically oriented to redirect air away from the sensor zone, while other deflectors maintain thrust reversal effectiveness in their respective areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The deflectors act as intermediary elements between the thrust reversal function and the sensor protection requirement. By strategically positioning and orienting the deflectors, the air stream is medially redirected through intermediate paths that achieve thrust reversal while avoiding direct impact on the sensor location.

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 new design minimizes the disruption to sensors by redirecting airflow without impacting sensitive areas, maintaining sensor functionality while reducing the overall mass and maintaining effective thrust reversal performance.

Implementation Method 1

a deflection system configured to occupy a retracted position, when the thrust reversal device is in the inactivated state, in which the deflection system does not interfere with the secondary air stream, and a deployed position, when the thrust reversal device is in the activated state, in which the deflection system interferes with the secondary air stream and orients it toward the lateral opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow deflection:

Implementation Method 2

The first cascade of vanes, positioned above the plane PL, is configured to orient the air stream leaving the thrust reversal device away so that it does not impact the zone at which the sensor is installed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow orientation:

Data Source

PatentUS12535042B2Aircraft nacelle equipped with at least one thrust reversal device comprising at least one longitudinal deflector, aircraft comprising at least one propulsion unit having such a nacelle

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

An aircraft nacelle equipped with a thrust reversal device which comprises: at least one deflection system configured to deflect an air stream channeled in the nacelle toward a lateral opening of the nacelle, in the activated state, at least one orientation system having: at least one transverse deflector configured to orient the air stream deflected by the deflection system in radial directions and toward the upstream end of the nacelle, at least one longitudinal deflector configured to orient the air stream deflected by the deflection system in at least one direction that forms an angle with a radial direction.