Thrust Reverser Inner-Wall Cooling With Isogrid Air Channels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal protection systems for thrust reversers in aircraft engines suffer from lapses in coverage, allowing excessive heat to reach carbon epoxy inner walls that are not rated for high temperatures, leading to potential thermal degradation.
Innovation Solution
A panel assembly comprising an isogrid panel with an inner heat shield, an air plenum, and an outer skin, featuring air inlet and outlet vent holes, which passively cools the thrust reverser by directing cool air from the fan duct through isolated channels to dissipate heat effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a carbon epoxy panel is used as thermal protection, then the inner wall can provide structural strength, but lapses in coverage allow excessive heat to reach the panel causing thermal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal protection system is divided into multiple segments: an outer skin, an isogrid panel with cooling channels, and an inner heat shield. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the outer skin provides structural strength, the isogrid panel dissipates heat through controlled airflow, and the inner heat shield protects against remaining heat exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
Cool air acts as an intermediary substance that absorbs heat from the inner wall structure. The air flows through channels in the isogrid panel, carrying thermal energy away from critical components and preventing excessive heat from reaching the carbon epoxy inner wall.
2Temperature
If active cooling systems are implemented, then heat dissipation improves, but system complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is self-service in that it uses the engine's own fan air to cool the inner wall structure. The airflow path is naturally established by engine operation, and the isogrid panel channels this existing airflow through the structure without requiring external cooling systems, motors, or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles by utilizing pressurized air flow from the engine fan to force cooling air through the isogrid panel channels. This pneumatic approach provides effective heat dissipation through controlled airflow without requiring mechanical moving parts or complex active cooling infrastructure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If expensive heat-resistant materials are used throughout, then thermal protection improves, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different materials are used in different locations based on local thermal requirements. The outer skin uses aluminum or other cost-effective materials where structural strength is needed but heat exposure is lower. The inner heat shield uses heat-resistant materials only where necessary to protect against direct heat exposure, while the isogrid panel uses cost-effective materials that can be effectively cooled by airflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal protection system uses a composite structure combining different materials - aluminum outer skin, isogrid panel with cooling channels, and heat-resistant inner shielding. This composite approach provides effective thermal protection through the combination of materials and active cooling, allowing the use of less expensive materials in non-critical areas while maintaining overall thermal protection performance.
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
The system provides efficient thermal wicking, reduces thermal degradation, and lowers manufacturing costs by using less expensive materials like aluminum and ceramic, while offering structural strength and acoustic attenuation.
Implementation Method 1
One or more air inlet vent holes are formed through the isogrid panel and the outer skin. The one or more air inlet vent holes fluidly couple to the air plenum. One or more air outlet vent holes are formed through the isogrid panel and the outer skin. The one or more air outlet vent holes fluidly couple to the air plenum.
Implementation Method 2
An inner heat shield is coupled to a first side of the isogrid panel. An air plenum is disposed between the isogrid panel and the inner heat shield.
Data Source
AI summary
An engine of an aircraft includes a thrust reverser having an inner wall, which is formed by a panel assembly including an isogrid panel. An inner heat shield is coupled to a first side of the isogrid panel. An air plenum is disposed between the isogrid panel and the inner heat shield. An outer skin is coupled to a second side of the isogrid panel. The second side is opposite from the first side. One or more air inlet vent holes are formed through the isogrid panel and the outer skin. The one or more air inlet vent holes fluidly couple to the air plenum. One or more air outlet vent holes are formed through the isogrid panel and the outer skin. The one or more air outlet vent holes fluidly couple to the air plenum.