Turbofan Thrust Reverser Tilting Beam Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbofan engine thrust reverser units are complex and heavy, requiring sophisticated mechanisms to move external and internal doors for reverse thrust during landing.
Innovation Solution
A simpler and lighter thrust reverser unit design featuring a fixed structure with externally and internally hinged doors, each driven by a mechanism comprising an articulated beam and rods connected to an actuator, allowing for rotation around a main axis to transition between stocked and deployed positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known mechanisms are used to move the doors, then the doors can be moved from stocked position to deployed position, but the mechanism becomes complicated and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is divided into separate functional components: beams articulated on the fixed structure, rods connecting beams to doors, and actuators moving the beams. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism uses movable beams that rotate around a main axis to dynamically control the position of both internal and external doors. This dynamic approach replaces complex multi-stage mechanisms with a single articulated beam system that can efficiently transition doors between stocked and deployed positions
2Reliability
If known mechanisms are used to move the doors, then the doors can be moved from stocked position to deployed position, but the mechanism becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from traditional thrust reverser mechanisms. By using a simplified beam-and-rod system with actuators directly connected to the beams, the design removes redundant mechanical elements that contribute to weight without compromising door movement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic beam rotation mechanism allows for lighter construction compared to static or multi-stage mechanisms. The articulated beams can move the doors efficiently using minimal mass, reducing the overall weight of the thrust reverser unit while maintaining operational reliability
3Weight of moving object
If a simple mechanism is used, then the weight is reduced, but the ability to move both internal and external doors may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated beams serve multiple functions: they control both internal doors and external doors through connected rods, act as leverage points for actuators, and provide structural support. This multi-functionality allows a single lightweight mechanism to handle all door movement requirements without compromising adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The rods act as intermediaries between the beams and the doors, allowing the simple beam mechanism to effectively control both internal and external doors. This intermediary connection enables the lightweight mechanism to maintain full door position control capability while minimizing weight
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a turbofan engine (100) comprising a motor (252) and a nacelle (102) defining a bypass channel (250). The turbofan engine (100) comprises a thrust reverser unit (204) comprising a fixed structure (206), an external door (208) and an internal door (210) mobile in rotation on the fixed structure (206). The turbofan engine (100) comprises a mechanism (270) moving the doors (208, 210) from a stocked position to a deployed position and comprising at least one beam (272) articulated on the fixed structure (206) around a main axis (274), for each beam (272), an external rod (276) articulated by one end to the beam (272) and by the other end to the external door (208), for each beam (272), an internal rod (278) articulated by one end to the beam (272) and by the other end to the internal door (210), and an actuator (280) moving the beam (272) around the main axis (274). Such a thrust reverser unit comprises a simple mechanism to move the doors.