Single Degree of Freedom Thrust Reverser Actuator Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pivot door thrust reversers for turbofan gas turbine engines face challenges in efficient actuation and wear reduction, particularly in accommodating various door scheduling and hinge configurations, which affects the overall weight and aerodynamic performance.
Innovation Solution
An actuation arrangement featuring a carrier driven by a linear actuator that translates along a fixed direction, reacting five degrees of freedom into the reverser frame, with links and track lugs designed to reduce actuator wear and accommodate different door configurations, allowing for simultaneous or staggered door deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional multi-degree-of-freedom actuation systems are used for thrust reversers, then complex door scheduling and hinge configurations can be accommodated, but actuator wear increases and system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical actuation systems with a simplified single-degree-of-freedom mechanical system using a linear actuator, track, and carrier mechanism. This substitution maintains the ability to accommodate various door scheduling and hinge configurations while significantly reducing actuator wear and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-degree-of-freedom actuation system is designed with universal applicability to accommodate different door scheduling requirements and hinge configurations through the track-carrier mechanism, allowing one actuator design to serve multiple operational scenarios without increasing wear or complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex actuation systems with multiple degrees of freedom are used, then various door configurations can be accommodated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex multi-degree-of-freedom mechanical actuation with a simplified single-degree-of-freedom system comprising a linear actuator, track, and carrier. This mechanical substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining adaptability through the flexible track-carrier design that can accommodate various door configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation system is segmented into distinct functional components: the linear actuator providing single-degree-of-freedom motion, the track guiding the carrier, and the carrier transferring motion to multiple doors. This segmentation simplifies each component's design while maintaining overall system versatility.
3Reliability
If traditional actuation arrangements are used, then thrust reverser functionality is achieved, but weight increases due to complex packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional complex actuation mechanics with a simplified single-degree-of-freedom linear actuator system, reducing the number of mechanical components and their associated weights while maintaining full thrust reverser functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The track and carrier mechanisms merge multiple door actuation functions into a single integrated system driven by one linear actuator, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate actuators and linkages, thereby reducing overall system weight.
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A thrust reverser may include a frame (206), a track (220) disposed on the frame (206), a carrier (222) operatively coupled to the track (220), and a first reverser door (202) operatively coupled to the carrier (222). The first reverser door (202) is movable relative to the frame (206), wherein the first reverser door (202) is configured to move to a first position in response to the carrier (222) moving with respect to the track (206) in a first direction, and move to a second position in response to the carrier (222) moving with respect to the track (206) in a second direction.