Aircraft Thrust Reverser Offset Hinge Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thrust reverser systems in aircraft gas turbine engines face inefficiencies due to clashes between rotating doors and fixed structures, resulting from limited hinge positioning, which affects the redirection of thrust during landing and rejected takeoffs.
Innovation Solution
The thrust reverser design features offset hinges for the upper and lower reverser doors, allowing them to rotate in opposite directions, with actuators extending to deploy and retract the doors, maintaining clearance and optimizing thrust redirection. The hinges are offset from the centerline by equal but opposite distances, enabling efficient reverse thrust without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hinges are positioned closer to the centerline, then the door rotation path is shorter and structure is more compact, but the doors may clash with fixed structures during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the hinge axes at different radial distances from the engine centerline. The first hinge axis is offset by a first distance while the second hinge axis is offset by a second distance that is different from the first distance. This asymmetric configuration allows the doors to rotate along different paths, preventing clash with fixed structures while maintaining compact dimensions.
2Reliability
If the doors are separated to prevent clash with fixed structure, then door interference is eliminated, but thrust reverser efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a conventional parallel hinge configuration to a non-parallel configuration where hinge axes are at different radial distances. This dimensional change in hinge positioning allows the doors to rotate along staggered paths, maintaining optimal separation for preventing clash while preserving the aerodynamic effectiveness of the thrust reversal system.
3Reliability
If the hinges are positioned further from the centerline, then door clearance from fixed structure is improved, but the door rotation path increases and structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making each hinge position unique and optimized for its specific location. The first hinge axis is positioned at a first radial distance and the second hinge axis at a second radial distance, with each position tailored to prevent local clashes with fixed structures while maintaining overall system efficiency. This localized optimization avoids the need for uniform positioning that would increase complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a thrust reverser (200) comprising a stationary structure (210) defining an annular body (218) with a centerline (A), a first reverser door (202) pivotally coupled to the stationary structure (210) by a pair of first reverser door hinges (216), a first reverser door hinge axis (260) extending through the first reverser door hinges (216) and positioned at a first angle (α) relative to a centerline (A), and a second reverser door (204) pivotally coupled to the stationary structure (210) by a pair of second reverser door hinges (214), a second hinge line axis (240) extending through the second reverser door hinges (214) and positioned at a second angle (β) relative to the centerline (A).