Engine and thrust reverser actuation system

#Contemporary aircraft engines may include a thrust reverse actuation system to assist in reducing the aircraft speed during landing. Typical thrust reversers include a movable element that when in the active position reverses at least a portion of the air flow passing through the engine. During maintenance of such areas of the engine the movement of the movable part is inhibited for safety; currently, this is done manually by a user near the equipment that controls the hydraulic flow to the movable element.

#In one embodiment, the invention relates to a turbofan engine having a turbine engine, a nacelle surrounding the turbine engine and defining an annular bypass duct through the turbofan engine to define a generally forward-to-aft bypass air flow path, a thrust reverser having at least one movable element, movable to and from a reversing position where at least a portion of the bypass air flow path is reversed, a hydraulic actuator coupled to the movable element to move the movable element into and out of the reversing position, a hydraulic lockout, and a lockout actuator wherein the hydraulic lockout may be placed in either the inhibit or permit condition without requiring access to the hydraulic lockout.

#In another embodiment, the invention relates to a thrust reverser actuation system for a jet engine having a turbine engine surrounded by a nacelle to define an annular air flow path between the turbine engine and the nacelle, with a thrust reverser having a movable element to reverse the direction of at least a portion of the air flow along the air flow path, the thrust reverser actuation system including, a hydraulic actuator configured to be operably coupled to the movable element, an isolation control unit having a valve selectively operable to control the supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator, a lever operably coupled to the valve, and a remote actuator operably coupled to the lever and configured to move the lever.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a turbofan jet engine with a portion of the outer nacelle cut away for clarity;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the engine of FIG. 1 with an exemplary thrust reverser;

#FIG. 1 illustrates a turbofan jet engine assembly 10 having a turbine engine 12, a fan assembly 13, and a nacelle 14. Portions of the nacelle 14 have been cut away for clarity. The nacelle 14 surrounds the turbine engine 12 and defines an annular air flow path or annular bypass duct 16 through the jet engine assembly 10 to define a generally forward-to-aft bypass air flow path as schematically illustrated by the arrow 18. A combustion airflow is schematically illustrated by the arrows 19.

#A thrust reverser with at least one movable element, which is movable to and from a reversing position, may be used to change the direction of the bypass airflow. In the reversing position the movable element may be configured to reverse at least a portion of the bypass air flow. There are several methods of obtaining reverse thrust on turbofan jet engine assemblies. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates one example of a thrust reverse 20 that may be used in the turbofan jet engine assembly 10. The thrust reverser 20 includes a movable element 22. The movable element 22 has been illustrated as a cowl portion that is capable of axial motion with respect to the forward portion of the nacelle 14. A hydraulic actuator 24 may be coupled to the movable element 22 to move the movable element 22 into and out of the reversing position. In the reversing position, as illustrated, the movable element 22 limits the annular bypass area between the movable element 22 and the turbine engine 12, it also opens up a portion 26 between the movable element 22 and the forward portion of the nacelle 14 such that the air flow path may be reversed as illustrated by the arrows 28. An optional deflector or flap 29 may be included to aid in directing the air flow path between the movable element 22 and the forward portion of the nacelle 14.

#FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an alternative thrust reverser 30. The thrust reverser 30 includes a movable element 32. The movable element 32 has been illustrated as a deflector, which may be built into a portion of the nacelle 14. A hydraulic actuator 34 may be coupled to the movable element 32 to move the movable element 32 into and out of the reversing position. In the reversing position, shown in phantom and indicated at 36, the movable element 32 turns that air outward and forward to reverse its direction as illustrated by the arrows 38. An optional deflector or flap 39 may be included to aid in directing the air flow path outward.