Thrust Reverser Actuation Carrier and Deployable Fairing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pivot door thrust reversers for turbofan gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently deploying and stowing thrust reverser doors and fairings, leading to complex actuation systems and potential weight and space constraints, which affect the overall performance and efficiency of the thrust reversal mechanism.
Innovation Solution
An actuation arrangement featuring a carrier that translates along a track, driven by a linear actuator, and a deployable fairing that pivots to provide clearance for the thrust reverser doors to rotate, allowing for reduced actuator wear and simplified packing, while accommodating various door scheduling and hinge configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex actuation system is used to deploy and stow thrust reverser doors and fairings, then the thrust reverser can achieve complete deployment and stowing, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is segmented into a carrier assembly that moves along a track and separately actuates the fairing and reverser door. The carrier assembly includes a fairing actuator and a door actuator that operate independently but are coordinated through the carrier's linear movement, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining complete deployment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier assembly serves as an intermediary mechanism between the linear actuator and the fairing/reverser door. The linear actuator moves the carrier along the track, and the carrier then transfers this motion to both the fairing and door through its own actuation mechanisms, simplifying the overall actuation architecture
2Ease of operation
If traditional actuation arrangements are used for thrust reverser doors, then the doors can be actuated, but the actuator experiences increased wear and requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system uses a dynamic carrier assembly that moves linearly along a track to position itself for actuating the reverser door. This dynamic positioning allows the actuator to operate from optimal positions during different phases of deployment, reducing wear and allowing for a more compact actuator design
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier assembly introduces a linear dimension of motion along the track, transforming the traditional rotary actuation into a combination of linear and rotary motions. This dimensional change allows the actuator to engage and disengage from the door at different positions, reducing wear and space requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A method for deploying a thrust reverser includes translating a carrier along a track, transferring a first load between the carrier and a first reverser door in response to the carrier translating along the track, rotating the first reverser door between a closed position and an open position in response to the carrier translating along the track, transferring a second load between the carrier and a deployable fairing in response to the carrier translating along the track, and rotating the deployable fairing between a stowed position and a deployed position in response to the carrier translating along the track.