Thrust Reverser Blocker Door Actuation via Airflow Scooping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional thrust reverser assemblies for turbine engines require separate actuators and take up space, adding weight and complexity, which limits their efficiency and effectiveness in providing reverse thrust.
Innovation Solution
A thrust reverser assembly that utilizes a translating cowl and a blocker door with a biasing element, where airflow creates a scooping effect to deploy the blocker door and move the cowl, eliminating the need for separate actuators by harnessing energy from high-speed air in the bypass duct.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate actuator assembly is used to deploy the blocker door, then the thrust reverser can provide reverse thrust, but the weight and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The high-speed airflow through the bypass duct automatically deploys the blocker door by creating a scooping effect that lifts the door into position, eliminating the need for external actuators and reducing weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic forces from the airflow itself to deploy the blocker door, where the kinetic energy of the air creates pressure differential that lifts the door without mechanical actuators
2Reliability
If a separate actuator assembly is used to move the translating cowl, then the thrust reverser can provide reverse thrust, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The translating cowl is moved automatically by the scooping effect of the airflow, which creates pressure differential to translate the cowl without requiring separate actuator mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of blocker door deployment and translating cowl movement into a single airflow-driven mechanism, eliminating multiple separate actuators and reducing system complexity
3Reliability
If traditional actuator assemblies are used, then the thrust reverser can be deployed, but the power requirements and stress on components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the kinetic energy of the bypass airflow itself to provide the power for deploying the blocker door and translating the cowl, eliminating the need for external power sources or actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the kinetic energy of the high-speed airflow, which would otherwise be wasted, into useful work by using the scooping effect to deploy the thrust reverser components automatically
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances fuel efficiency, reduces power requirements, and minimizes stress on components, enabling quicker deployment and reduced specific fuel consumption while simplifying the actuation process and reducing aerodynamic resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element operably coupled to the blocker door and configured to bias the blocker door from the stowed position into an initial position
Implementation Method 2
airflow through bypass duct enters the gap and the blocker door is configured to create a scooping effect that moves the blocker door to the deployed position and moves the translating cowl to the second position
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of operating a translating cowl for a turbine engine. The translating cowl is moveable between a first position and a second position. The translating cowl includes a fixed cascade element located within and a blocker door that is operably coupled to die translating cowl. Hie blocker door is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.