Thrust Reverser Track Lock Blade Hydraulic Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current turbofan propulsion systems with translating sleeves face complexity in preventing unintentional deployment of thrust reversers due to the use of multiple components and hydraulic systems, which complicates the design and detection of track lock functionality.
Innovation Solution
A track lock assembly with a hydraulic chamber, piston, and track lock blade that translates within a housing, where the blade cavity is fluidly coupled to the hydraulic chamber via a bore, allowing for direct contact with the translating sleeve to prevent deployment and simplifying the design while maintaining failure detectability through hydraulic fluid leakage inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic track lock system with piston housing and target sensor is used to prevent unintentional deployment, then the reliability of preventing deployment is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hydraulic fluid containment and blade monitoring functions into a single integrated piston structure. The piston's bore serves dual purposes: containing hydraulic fluid and enabling direct hydraulic coupling to the blade cavity, eliminating the need for separate monitoring components while maintaining reliable deployment prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously acts as a hydraulic actuator, a fluid containment structure, and a direct monitoring element for blade position. The bore through the piston head and shaft provides both structural integrity and hydraulic fluid passage, allowing the same component to perform multiple critical functions.
2Measurement precision
If direct monitoring of the blade with target sensor is implemented, then the detection precision of blade position is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the monitoring function from a separate target sensor system and integrates it directly into the piston-blade hydraulic coupling. The bore provides direct hydraulic communication between the piston and blade cavity, allowing position detection through hydraulic fluid behavior rather than requiring external sensors and targets.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic fluid serves as an intermediary medium that transmits both force and position information. The fluid coupling through the bore allows the piston position to directly influence and reflect the blade position, providing measurement capability through the hydraulic medium itself rather than requiring separate sensing components.
3Reliability
If a seal contacts the track lock blade to prevent fluid leakage, then the reliability of hydraulic containment is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to seal installation constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is segmented into distinct sections (head and shaft) with the bore providing a defined pathway for hydraulic fluid. This segmentation allows the seal to be positioned at a specific location where it contacts the blade, creating a controlled sealing point that is easier to manufacture and install with standard precision tolerances.
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 solution enhances the robustness and detectability of the track lock system, simplifying the design by reducing the number of components and allowing for visual inspection of hydraulic fluid leakage to detect potential failures, thereby preventing unintentional deployment of the translating sleeve.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic chamber, and a piston located at least partially within the hydraulic chamber
Implementation Method 2
The track lock assembly may comprise a return spring
Data Source
AI summary
A nacelle may include a track lock for a thrust reverser. The track lock may comprise a track lock blade which prevents the thrust reverser from accidentally deploying. The track lock blade may comprise a pressurized blade chamber which receives hydraulic fluid through a bore in a piston. In the event of failure of the track lock blade, the hydraulic fluid may leak from the track lock blade and be apparent upon visual inspection.