Thrust reverser translating sleeve assembly

A translating sleeve assembly for use with an aircraft engine thrust reverser, the translating sleeve assembly comprising:

• a slider track having a guide channel formed therein that follows a curved path along a length thereof;
• a lifting bolt slidably positioned within the slider track;
• and
• a hinge including a first hinge element with a base coupled to an outer cowl shroud, a second hinge element with a hinge rod slidably positioned within the guide channel and coupled to the lifting bolt, and a pin about which the first hinge element and the second hinge element pivot,
• wherein during deployment of the thrust reverser, the outer cowl shroud is pushed aftward such that the lifting bolt slides within the slider track and the hinge rod slides within the guide channel, urging the lifting bolt to pivot and the hinge to open, thereby lifting the outer cowl shroud away from the center of the aircraft engine.

An aircraft engine thrust reverser comprising:

• a left outer cowl shroud including a first inner surface, a first lower portion, and a first upper portion;
• a right outer cowl shroud including a second inner surface, a second lower portion, and a second upper portion;
• a first translating sleeve assembly including a first hinge coupled to the first upper portion of the first inner surface, the first hinge operable to open while translating aftward;
• a second translating sleeve assembly including a second hinge coupled to the second upper portion of the second inner surface, the second hinge operable to open while translating aftward;
• a third translating sleeve assembly including a third hinge coupled to the first lower portion of the first inner surface, the third hinge operable to open while translating aftward;
• and
• a fourth translating sleeve assembly including a fourth hinge coupled to the second lower portion of the second inner surface, the fourth hinge operable to open while translating aftward,
• wherein during deployment of the thrust reverser, the left outer cowl shroud is pushed aftward along with the first hinge and the third hinge, thereby opening the first hinge and the third hinge such that the left outer cowl shroud is lifted away from the center of the aircraft engine, and the right outer cowl shroud is pushed aftward along with the second hinge and the fourth hinge, thereby opening the second hinge and the fourth hinge such that the right outer cowl shroud is lifted away from the center of the aircraft engine.