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US 10,865,737 B2Granted
Hidden linkage for a translating cowl thrust reverser
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsDanis Burton Smith, Alexandre Guerinot, Remo Neri, James Thomas Ayers, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for an improved thrust reverser is provided. The provided thrust reverser employs hidden linkage assemblies to decrease drag in the engine exhaust flow and increase turbine engine performance. The hidden linkage assemblies are placed in a space between the blocker door and the transcowl, thereby not affecting the engine exhaust flow.
Claims17
A thrust reverser system for a turbine engine, comprising:
- a stationary structure configured to be mounted to the turbine engine;
- a transcowl supported by the stationary structure, the transcowl creating a thrust reverser flowpath and translatable (i) axially, relative to the stationary structure, and (ii) between a first position, in which the transcowl abuts the stationary structure, and a second position, in which the transcowl is displaced from the stationary structure to form a reverse flow aperture;
- a blocker door pivotally mounted to the stationary structure, at a stationary pivot axis that is perpendicular to a thrust reverser centerline, the blocker door extending radially around the thrust reverser centerline between opposing ends of the stationary pivot axis, and configured for pivoting on the stationary pivot axis between (i) a stowed position, and (ii) a deployed position in which an inner surface of the blocker door directs engine airflow to discharge through the aperture to thereby generate reverse thrust;
- and
- a first linkage rod having a first end and a second end, the first linkage rod
- (a) mechanically coupled at the first end of the first linkage rod to an outer surface of the blocker door, and mechanically coupled at the second end of the first linkage rod to the transcowl;
- (b) configured to fit aft of a forward edge of the blocker door and within a cavity between the outer surface of the blocker door and an inner surface of a transcowl outer layer;
- wherein the first linkage rod is positioned on the outer surface of the blocker door a predetermined distance, X, from a first side of a center plane passing through the thrust reverser centerline;
- and further comprising:
- a second linkage rod configured to fit aft of the forward edge of the blocker door and within the cavity between the outer surface of the blocker door and the inner surface of the transcowl outer layer, the second linkage rod
- (a) mechanically coupled to the blocker door at a first end of the second linkage rod,
- (b) mechanically coupled to the transcowl at a second end of the second linkage rod, and
- (c) positioned on the outer surface of the blocker door the predetermined distance X from a second side of the center plane passing through the thrust reverser centerline;
- and
- wherein a ratio of X to a radius, R, of the thrust reverser flowpath, measured perpendicular to the stationary pivot axis, is between 0.4 and 0.7.
12 more elements
A method for producing a thrust reverser system for a turbine engine, comprising:
- mounting a stationary structure to the turbine engine;
- mounting a transcowl on the stationary structure the transcowl creating a thrust reverser flowpath having a thrust reverser centerline;
- creating a stationary pivot axis that extends across the thrust reverser flowpath and is perpendicular to the thrust reverser flowpath;
- configuring a first blocker door for pivoting on the stationary pivot axis between a stowed position and a deployed position, and extending radially around the thrust reverser centerline between opposing ends of the stationary pivot axis;
- pivotally mounting the first blocker door within the thrust reverser flowpath on the stationary pivot axis;
- configuring a first linkage rod to fit aft of a forward edge of the blocker door and within a cavity between an outside surface of the first blocker door and an inner surface of a transcowl outer layer;
- positioning the first linkage rod on the first blocker door a predetermined distance, X, from a first side of a center plane passing through the thrust reverser centerline;
- mechanically coupling a first end of the first linkage rod to the first blocker door;
- mechanically coupling a second end of the first linkage rod to the transcowl;
- and
- configuring a second linkage rod to fit aft of the forward edge of the blocker door and within the cavity between the outer surface of the first blocker door and the inner surface of the transcowl outer layer;
- positioning the second linkage rod on the first blocker door the predetermined distance, X, from a second side of the center plane passing through the thrust reverser centerline;
- mechanically coupling a first end of the second linkage rod to the outer surface of the first blocker door;
- mechanically coupling a second end of the second linkage rod to the transcowl;
- and
- wherein a ratio of X to a radius, R, of the thrust reverser flowpath measured perpendicular to the stationary pivot axis, is between 0.4 and 0.7.
13 more elements
An aircraft, comprising:
- a turbine engine;
- and
- a thrust reverser system, comprising:
- a stationary structure mounted to the turbine engine;
- a transcowl supported by the stationary structure, the transcowl creating a thrust reverser flowpath and translatable (i) axially, relative to the stationary structure, and (ii) between a first position, in which the transcowl abuts the stationary structure, and a second position, in which the transcowl is displaced from the stationary structure to form a reverse flow aperture;
- a blocker door pivotally mounted to the stationary structure at opposing ends of a stationary pivot axis, the stationary pivot axis being perpendicular to a thrust reverser centerline, the blocker door configured for pivoting on the stationary pivot axis between (i) a stowed position, and (ii) a deployed position in which the blocker door directs engine airflow to discharge through the aperture to thereby generate reverse thrust;
- and
- a first linkage rod having a first end and a second end, the first linkage rod
- (a) mechanically coupled at the first end of the first linkage rod to the blocker door, and mechanically coupled at the second end of the first linkage rod to the transcowl,
- (b) configured to fit aft of a forward edge of the blocker door and within a cavity between an outer surface of the blocker door and an inner surface of a transcowl outer layer, and
- (c) positioned a predetermined distance, X, from a first side of a center plane passing through the thrust reverser centerline;
- and further comprising:
- a second linkage rod configured to fit substantially aft of the forward edge of the blocker door and within the cavity between the blocker door and the inner surface of the transcowl outer layer, the second linkage rod
- (a) mechanically coupled to the blocker door at a first end of the second linkage rod,
- (b) mechanically coupled to the transcowl at a second end of the second linkage rod, and
- (c) positioned the predetermined distance X from a second side of the center plane passing through the thrust reverser centerline;
- and
- wherein a ratio of X to a radius, R, of the thrust reverser flowpath, measured perpendicular to the stationary pivot axis, is within a range of 0.4 to 0.7.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.