Aircraft Thrust Reverser Mobile Ejection Structure Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The bulkiness of traditional thrust reversers in aircraft engines, which integrate a movable ejection structure, poses a challenge in reducing their size and mass while maintaining effective counter-thrust functionality during landing.
Innovation Solution
The thrust reverser design incorporates a mobile ejection structure that translates with the cover to form a mobile assembly, allowing it to be partially housed within the nacelle in a closed position, thereby reducing the overall size and mass by eliminating the need for external positioning of the ejection structure, and includes features like a one-piece front frame, acoustic attenuation panels, and variable deflector configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the ejection structure is positioned externally at the ejection opening in the closed position, then the thrust reverser can quickly deploy the ejection structure, but the overall size and mass of the thrust reverser increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection structure is nested within a housing formed in the nacelle when not in use. The housing contains the ejection structure in a retracted position, allowing it to be stored compactly within the nacelle volume rather than requiring external space. This nesting approach reduces the overall size and mass of the thrust reverser system while maintaining the capability for rapid deployment when needed.
2Device complexity
If the ejection structure is made integral with the movable cowling to form a mobile assembly, then the structure complexity is reduced, but the mass of the moving assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection structure is made integral with the movable cowling to form a unified mobile assembly. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall structure, eliminating the need for complex mounting mechanisms and connections between separate components. While this increases the mass of the moving assembly, it significantly reduces structural complexity and improves reliability.
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 reduces the bulk and mass of the thrust reverser, allows for space savings to accommodate additional equipment, and enhances the efficiency of the ejection structure by optimizing the deflector configuration and aerodynamic performance, while maintaining effective counter-thrust capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
aerodynamic counter-thrust force
Implementation Method 2
acoustic attenuation panels
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
- Aircraft engine nacelle equipped with a thrust reverser with a movable ejection structure.- The nacelle (1) includes a thrust reverser (7) comprising a translationally movable hood (10) and an ejection structure (9) also translationally movable, forming with the hood (10) a movable assembly (17). This movable assembly (17) is configured to be able to be brought, alternately, into a closed position in which the ejection structure (9) is inserted into a housing (18) formed in the nacelle (1) and the hood (10) closes an ejection opening (12) in the nacelle (1), and into an open position (P2) in which the hood (10) releases the ejection opening (12) in the nacelle (1) and the ejection structure (9) is located in this ejection opening (12). The positioning of the ejection structure (9) in the housing (18) in the closed position allows, in particular, for freeing up space at the ejection opening (12) and reducing the size of the thrust reverser (7).