US 5,309,711 AGranted

Cascade type thrust reverser for fan jet engines

AssigneeRohr, Inc.

InventorGregory H. Matthias

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Abstract

A cascade type fan jet engine thrust reverser system. A radially arranged opening is provided along the aft edge the of fan cowl of a fan jet engine. Cascade sets each including a plurality of turning vanes are fixedly positioned in each opening. A blocking door and an actuating linkage system are positioned flush with the inner wall of the fan cowl adjacent to the openings, with the linkage system substantially out of the air flow path during normal engine operation. A sleeve like member covers the outer surface of the cascade sets and at least partially covers the stowed linkage system. When reverse thrust is desired, the sleeve is caused to translate aft, uncovering the cascade set and linkage. The linkage system is caused to move the blocking doors to positions where air flow through the fan cowl is substantially blocked and diverted out through the cascade sets in an outward and reverse direction. Upon completion of thrust reversal operation, these components are returned to the stowed position.

A cascade type fan jet engine thrust reverser having an improved actuation system which comprises;

a fan jet engine cowl having a radially arranged opening adjacent to a fan case portion of the fan cowl, the fan case being disposed at the aft end of the fan cowl;
cascade sets having a plurality of turning vanes secured within said opening;
sleeve means substantially coextensive with the outer surface of said fan jet engine cowl and adapted to close said opening and cover said cascade sets during normal engine operation and adapted to being moved aft to uncover said cascade sets during reverse thrust operation;
a plurality of blocker doors lying substantially coextensive with the inner wall of said sleeve adjacent to said opening, each of said blocker doors having a forward edge and a pivot connection adjacent to said forward edge to said sleeve means for translating said pivot connection with the translation of said sleeve means;
and
a linkage assembly at the center of each blocker door connected between each blocker door and a pivot means secured to said fan case, through said cascade set, said linkage lying substantially entirely out of the path of air flow through said fan cowl during normal engine operation and adapted to cause said blocker door to simultaneously rotate as said sleeve means is moved aft rotating said blocker door into a position blocking air flow through said fan cowl and directing said airflow toward said cascade set during reverse thrust operation;
and
each of said linkage assemblies including two links, a short link connected to a pivot means on a bracket secured to said engine and a long link pivotably connected between the free end of the short link and said door whereby translation of said sleeve means causes said door to translate, the translation of said door being resisted by said links, to move said door toward the deployed position with translation of said sleeve means in the opposite direction moving the door back to the stowed position.

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Abstract

Claims9