Translating-Rotating Hinge Assembly for Thrust Reverser

Solution Overview

Problem

Thrust reverser systems for high-bypass turbofan engines require improvements in weight reduction, load distribution, and compactness while maintaining deployment and maintenance access capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A hinge assembly that enables both translational and rotational movements of the transcowl, allowing it to translate aft for deployment and pivot radially outward for maintenance, without an intermediate translating component, thus minimizing weight and space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional separate translating and rotating mechanisms are used, then deployment and maintenance access capabilities are achieved, but weight and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment and maintenance access capabilityVSAvoidweight of hinge assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the translating and rotating functions into a single integrated hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a translating member that moves axially and a rotating member that pivots, working together as one unit to provide both deployment and maintenance access movements without requiring separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it enables the transcowl to translate aft for thrust reverser deployment, pivot radially outward for maintenance access, and return to stowed position. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If traditional separate translating and rotating mechanisms are used, then deployment and maintenance access capabilities are achieved, but device complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment and maintenance access capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of hinge assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the translating and rotating functions into a single integrated hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a translating member that moves axially and a rotating member that pivots, working together as one unit to provide both deployment and maintenance access movements without requiring separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The translating member is received within the rotating member in a nested arrangement. The translating member slides within a channel formed by the rotating member, allowing compact integration of both movement functions in a confined space while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If intermediate translating components are used, then movement capability is achieved, but weight and compactness are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidspace occupied by hinge assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The translating member is received within the rotating member in a nested arrangement. The translating member slides within a channel formed by the rotating member, allowing compact integration of both movement functions in a confined space while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the translating and rotating functions into a single integrated hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a translating member that moves axially and a rotating member that pivots, working together as one unit to provide both deployment and maintenance access movements without requiring separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10247137B2Thrust reverser system with translating-rotating hinge assembly

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A thrust reverser system suitable for a high-bypass turbofan engine of a type having a nacelle. The thrust reverser system includes a transcowl having a stowed, deployed and open positions. A hinge assembly translationally and rotationally couples the transcowl to a fixed structure that does not translate when the transcowl is translated in the aft direction. The hinge assembly includes a first member connected to the transcowl for translation therewith, and a fixed second member that defines a channel in which a portion of the first member is slidably received. The first and second members are configured to enable the portion of the first member to translate within the slider channel in an aft direction corresponding to a translational movement of the transcowl, and to enable the portion of the first member to rotate within the channel corresponding to a pivotal movement of the transcowl.