Thrust Reverser Seal Stops for Continuous Hinge Pin Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal systems for pivot door type thrust reversers do not provide a continuous seal with the pivot door hinge pin, leading to reduced engine performance and increased fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A seal system comprising a forward seal, an aft seal, and seal stops that form a continuous bond with the pivot door hinge pin when stowed, with angled endpoints and tabs to prevent scrubbing action during deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the seal terminates in proximity of the pivot door hinge pin without forming a bond, then the seal structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but engine performance is reduced and fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system merges the forward seal, aft seal, and seal stop components into a continuous sealing arrangement. The seal stop bridges the gap between forward and aft seals, creating an unbroken seal path that bonds to the pivot door hinge pin, thereby eliminating the discontinuity in prior art while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular component design.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal stop acts as an intermediary component that connects the forward seal and aft seal, extending the sealing path to the hinge pin area. This intermediary element ensures continuous sealing by filling the gap that would otherwise exist between the forward and aft seals, preventing engine performance loss without requiring complete redesign of the seal system.
2Device complexity
If the seal is not continuous with the pivot door hinge pin, then the seal system is less complex, but there is a loss of engine performance leading to increased fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple seal components (forward seal, aft seal, seal stop) into a unified continuous sealing system that extends to the hinge pin. This merging approach achieves complete sealing coverage without proportionally increasing system complexity, as each component remains relatively simple in design but works together to eliminate performance losses.
3Ease of manufacture
If the seal endpoints are not angled appropriately, then the seal installation is simpler, but scrubbing action occurs during pivot door deployment causing increased wear on the seals
Solution Approach 1:
The seal endpoints are configured with specific angular orientations rather than simple perpendicular or parallel arrangements. The forward seal endpoints angle upward and inward, while aft seal endpoints angle downward and inward, creating a geometric arrangement that eliminates scrubbing action during pivot door deployment. This parameter change from simple to angled configurations prevents excessive wear and extends seal service life.
Data Source
AI summary
A low-leakage seal system for a pivot door type thrust reverser comprises a forward seal, an aft seal, and a pair of seal stops. The forward seal is attached to a forward portion of a thrust reverser. The aft seal is attached to an aft portion of the pivot door. The seal stops are attached to opposing sides of the pivot door and each seal stop couples with a pivot door hinge pin. Each seal stop includes a forward tab and an aft tab. The forward tabs of the seal stops make flush contact with the forward seal and the aft tabs make flush contact with the aft seal such that a continuous seal is formed between the pivot door and the fixed structure of the thrust reverser when the pivot door is stowed.