System including hidden drag link assembly for actuating blocker door of thrust reverser

A system for actuating a blocker door of a translating sleeve thrust reverser, the system comprising:

• a sleeve including a cascade of elements, the sleeve being translatable between a stowed position in which an engine airflow is directed rearwardly and a deployed position in which the engine airflow is redirected forwardly by the cascade of elements;
• a blocker door moveable between a closed position associated with the stowed position of the sleeve in which the engine airflow is directed rearwardly and an open position associated with the deployed position of the sleeve in which the engine airflow is redirected laterally by the blocker door toward the cascade of elements;
• and
• a drag link assembly including—
• a drag link track mounted to the sleeve such that the drag link track moves with the sleeve during translation of the sleeve, the drag link track including a first track end, a second track end, and an elongated channel extending between the first and second track ends,
• a drag link including a first link end and a second link end, with the first link end being rotatably connected to the blocker door, and the second link end being slidably received in the elongated channel of the drag link track and moveable within the elongated channel between the first track end and the second track end,
• wherein during deployment of the translating sleeve thrust reverser, the sleeve is translated aft to the deployed position, and the drag link track mounted to the sleeve moves with the sleeve, such that the second link end slides within the elongated channel toward the second track end which causes the blocker door to move to the open position, and
• wherein during stowage of the translating sleeve thrust reverser, the sleeve is translated forward to the stowed position, and the drag link track mounted to the sleeve moves with the sleeve, such that the second link end of the drag link slides within the elongated channel toward the first track end which causes the blocker door to move to the closed position in which the drag link assembly is not exposed to the engine airflow.

A system for actuating a blocker door of a translating sleeve thrust reverser, the system comprising:

• a sleeve including a cascade of elements, the sleeve being translatable between a stowed position in which an engine airflow is directed rearwardly and a deployed position in which the engine airflow is redirected forwardly by the cascade of elements;
• a blocker door moveable between a closed position associated with the stowed position of the sleeve in which the engine airflow is directed rearwardly and an open position associated with the deployed position of the sleeve in which the engine airflow is redirected laterally by the blocker door toward the cascade of elements;
• and
• a drag link assembly including—
• a drag link track mounted to the blocker door, the drag link track including a first track end, a second track end, and an elongated channel extending between the first and second track ends, and
• a drag link including a first link end and a second link end, with the first link end being rotatably connected to the sleeve such that the drag link moves with the sleeve during translation of the sleeve, and the second link end being slidably received in the elongated channel of the drag link track and moveable within the elongated channel between the first track end and the second track end,
• wherein during deployment of the translating sleeve thrust reverser, the sleeve is translated aft to the deployed position, and the drag link mounted to the sleeve moves with the sleeve, such that the second link end slides within the elongated channel toward the second track end which causes the blocker door to move to the open position, and
• wherein during stowage of the translating sleeve thrust reverser, the sleeve is translated forward to the stowed position, and the drag link mounted to the sleeve moves with the sleeve, such that the second link end of the drag link slides within the elongated channel toward the first track end which causes the blocker door to move to the closed position in which the drag link assembly is not exposed to the engine airflow.