Integrating Data Acquisition into Thrust Reverser Blocker Door Islands
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for gathering gas turbine engine flight load data are cumbersome and interfere with the aerodynamic qualities of the engine, requiring substantial modifications and complex installations that are not feasible without affecting the engine's performance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a data acquisition unit integrated into the existing blocker door island structure of the thrust reverser, allowing for the collection of flight load data without significant changes to the engine's architecture, using a data acquisition unit that mimics the appearance and mounting configuration of conventional blocker door islands, thereby minimizing disruption to the engine's aerodynamics and structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional test equipment (large controllers or data acquisition systems) is installed to gather flight load data, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and aerodynamic quality deteriorate due to substantial architectural changes, new mounting points, complicated wiring assemblies, and nacelle aerodynamic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data acquisition unit with the blocker door island structure, combining two separate functions (thrust reverser operation and data collection) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate large controllers or data acquisition systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocker door island structure is given dual functionality: it continues to serve its original purpose in the thrust reverser system while simultaneously housing the data acquisition unit. This multi-functionality approach allows flight load data collection without adding dedicated separate equipment, thus avoiding aerodynamic interference and structural complexity.
2Measurement precision
If traditional test equipment is installed to gather flight load data, then measurement capability is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate due to fabrication of new mounting points, mounting hardware, and complicated wiring assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the data acquisition unit into the existing blocker door island structure, the patent eliminates the need to fabricate new mounting points and mounting hardware. The integration leverages the existing structural framework, thereby simplifying manufacture and installation processes significantly.
3Measurement precision
If traditional test equipment is installed to gather flight load data, then measurement capability is improved, but aerodynamic quality deteriorates due to installation in the nacelle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data acquisition unit with the blocker door island structure, which is part of the thrust reverser system rather than the nacelle. This strategic placement avoids installation within the nacelle airflow path, thereby preserving aerodynamic quality while enabling flight load data collection.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for gathering flight load data for a gas turbine engine includes providing a plurality of blocker doors rotatably mounted to a translating sleeve and a plurality of blocker door islands, each blocker door island disposed between circumferentially adjacent blocker doors of the plurality of blocker doors and mounted to at least one mounting point of the translating sleeve, wherein a blocker door island of the plurality of blocker door islands is a data acquisition unit; and connecting the data acquisition unit to at least one sensor in communication with the translating sleeve.