Thrust Reverser Door Deployment Sequence for Backpressure Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current thrust reverser designs for gas turbine engines face challenges in efficiently redirecting thrust during landing, particularly in minimizing backpressure and optimizing airflow redirection, which can impact engine performance and noise levels.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a thrust reverser system with a cascade of airfoils and contoured doors that move in an 'umbrella-like' configuration, driven by a threaded actuator system, allowing the outer door to lead the inner door in deployment, minimizing backpressure and optimizing airflow redirection through a combination of ribs and airfoils.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional thrust reverser designs are used, then thrust redirection is achieved, but backpressure increases and noise levels rise

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebackpressureVSAvoidthrust redirection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thrust reverser system is divided into multiple segments including inner doors, outer doors, and cascade elements that can move independently. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to redirect thrust efficiently with minimized backpressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The thrust reverser employs dynamic movement of doors and cascade elements during deployment. The inner and outer doors move in a coordinated sequence, and the cascade elements translate and rotate to achieve optimal airflow redirection, reducing both backpressure and noise while maintaining thrust reversal effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional thrust reverser designs are used, then thrust redirection is achieved, but noise levels increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidthrust redirection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coordinated dynamic movement of inner and outer doors, combined with cascade element translation and rotation, creates a controlled deployment sequence that reduces turbulence and noise while maintaining effective thrust redirection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes geometric parameters during deployment including door angles, cascade element positions, and relative movements between components. These parameter changes optimize the airflow path to reduce noise generation while preserving thrust reversal efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If cascade elements translate rearward upon deployment, then bypass duct blocking is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebypass duct blockingVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cascade elements are nested within the bypass duct structure, allowing them to translate rearward and block the duct while maintaining a compact stowed configuration. This nesting approach achieves effective blocking without proportionally increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 configuration effectively reduces landing distance by efficiently redirecting thrust while minimizing backpressure and noise, ensuring optimal engine performance across various flight conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a threaded actuator system, allowing the outer door to lead the inner door in deployment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2573375B1Thrust reverser for the fan of a gas turbine engine
Publication Date: 2017.12.20 UNITED TECH CORP
  • EP2573375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2573375B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2573375B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A thrust reverser (80) includes a slider (92) movable along an actuator shaft (90). An inner linkage (94) is mounted to the slider (92) and the inner thrust reverser door (84) and an outer linkage (96) is mounted to the slider (92) and an outer thrust reverser door (86).