Nacelle Inner Flow Structure Latching System
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gas turbine engines, high pressure conduit failures can lead to increased pressure within the core compartment, causing the inner flow structure to separate from its mating structure, resulting in bypass flow leakage and potential damage to nacelles, and existing latching systems are complex and prone to becoming stuck, requiring disassembly for access.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with reaction load brackets, a cable system, and drive elements that allow radial movement of the inner flow structure, along with a release member for emergency situations, to maintain the inner flow structure's position and facilitate easy access by overriding conventional latch mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex latching assembly is used to maintain the leading edge of the inner flow structure in a fully closed position, then the reliability of preventing bypass flow leakage is improved, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates when the latch becomes stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system is divided into modular components: the latch member, reaction load brackets, cable, and drive elements. Each component performs a specific function, allowing for simplified design, easier manufacturing, and improved maintainability while maintaining reliable sealing of the inner flow structure
Solution Approach 2:
A cable is introduced as an intermediary element to transmit force from the drive elements to the latch member. This allows the latch to be actuated remotely through the bifurcation in the bypass flowpath, improving ease of operation and enabling emergency release without requiring direct access to the latch mechanism
2Reliability
If a complex latching assembly is used to maintain the leading edge of the inner flow structure in a fully closed position, then the reliability of preventing bypass flow leakage is improved, but the ease of repair worsens when surrounding structure must be disassembled to access a stuck latch
Solution Approach 1:
The cable serves as a mediator that transmits actuating force through the bifurcation in the bypass flowpath to the latch member. This design allows operators to access and operate the latch mechanism from outside the nacelle structure, eliminating the need to disassemble surrounding components to reach a stuck latch and significantly improving ease of repair
Solution Approach 2:
The latch actuation mechanism is extended through the bifurcation in the bypass flowpath, moving the control interface from an inaccessible location within the nacelle to an accessible location on the exterior. This spatial reconfiguration allows for easy maintenance and emergency release operations
Data Source
AI summary
A latch assembly for securing a nacelle portion of a gas turbine engine includes an engine case structure that includes a core compartment. An inner flow structure has closed and opened positions with respect to the engine case structure. The inner flow structure encloses the core compartment in the closed position and provides access to the core compartment in the opened position. A bypass flowpath is provided by a portion of the engine case structure and the inner flow structure. A seal is engaged with the engine case structure and the inner flow structure in the closed position. A latch has a latched position in which radial movement of the inner flow structure relative to the engine case structure is impeded and maintained in the closed position and an unlatched position in which the inner flow structure is permitted to move radially outward to the opened position.