Sliding Thrust Reverser Door Assembly for Wing Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional thrust reverser designs for gas turbine engines face limitations in door movement due to interference with the wing, restricting access for maintenance and inspections, especially in large diameter engines where the center of gravity is forward of the wing.
Innovation Solution
A sliding thrust reverser system with variable door assemblies and tracks, allowing door assemblies to move between engaged and disengaged positions, enabling greater access and flexibility by using fasteners that slide within rails, and actuators for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door open angle is increased to ensure access to core accessories and propulsion system, then maintenance access is improved, but the door may interfere with the wing due to limited space on large diameter engines
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is designed with dynamic movement capability, transitioning from a fixed hinge rotation to a multi-position sliding system along tracks. The attachment components allow the door to move between engaged, partially open, and fully open positions, providing flexible access while maintaining controlled clearance from the wing throughout the movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The door movement is extended from a single rotational dimension to a two-dimensional path combining sliding motion along horizontal tracks with vertical positioning. This dimensional change allows the door to access maintenance areas without simply rotating outward into wing interference zones.
2Ease of operation
If the center of gravity is located forward of the wing to enable greater door open angle, then maintenance access is improved, but the structural balance and design flexibility are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly incorporates dynamic positioning capability through sliding attachment components on tracks, allowing the door to achieve various open angles without being constrained by fixed hinge geometry. This enables full maintenance access while allowing the center of gravity to be optimized for engine performance rather than door access requirements.
3Device complexity
If traditional hinged doors are used that rotate normal to the engine center line, then the structure is simple, but the door open angle is limited due to wing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly replaces simple hinge rotation with a dynamic sliding mechanism on tracks, allowing controlled movement between engaged and fully open positions. This provides greater door open angle and maintenance access while the track system maintains structural organization and manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Attachment components serve as intermediaries between the door assembly and the track system, enabling smooth transitions between positions. These components facilitate the complex movement pattern while presenting a simple interface to both the door structure and the track mounting system.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A gas turbine engine assembly has a pylon with a first side and a second side. A first rail is mounted to the first side and a second rail is mounted to the second side. The assembly also has a thrust reverser with a first door assembly with a first upper portion and a first lower portion, and a second door assembly with a second upper portion and a second lower portion. A plurality of fasteners is part of the assembly. The first upper portion is connected with at least one of the plurality of fasteners to the first rail, and the second upper portion is connected with at least one of the plurality of fasteners to the second rail such that the thrust reverser is positionable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.