US 9,777,671 B2 · Actuation system for a translating variable area fan nozzle

Abstract

A variable area fan nozzle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a nacelle having an aft edge and a translating thrust reverser sleeve with a trailing edge. The thrust reverser sleeve is movably disposed aft of the nacelle's aft edge and is movable between a forward position and an aft position. A translating fan nozzle having a forward edge is movably disposed behind the trailing edge, and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. An upstream bypass flow exit is defined between the trailing edge and the forward edge when the fan nozzle is in the deployed position. An extendable actuation system is configured to move the fan nozzle between the stowed position and the deployed position.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An actuator for a translating variable area fan nozzle comprising:

a power drive unit;
an extensible portion comprising a jack screw and a translating threaded sleeve threadably engaged with the jack screw;
a single telescoping coupling rotatably coupled to the extensible portion, wherein the length of the telescoping coupling can be altered between a first length and a second length that is longer than the first length while maintaining rotational engagement with the extensible portion;
and
a jack head coupling the telescoping coupling and the extensible portion, wherein a first longitudinal axis of the extensible portion is offset from a second longitudinal axis of the telescoping coupling,
wherein the extensible portion is rotatably coupled to the power drive unit through the jack head and the telescoping coupling such that the telescoping coupling has a first rotational speed and the extensible portion has a second rotational speed that is different from the first rotational speed.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/769,599Filed 18 Feb 2013 · division

Priority

8 Aug 2007

Published

US 2013/0161414 A127 Jun 2013

Granted

3 Oct 2017

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

F02K 1/763
Control or regulation of thrust reversers: with actuating systems or actuating devices; Arrangement of actuators for thrust reversers
F02K 1/09
Varying effective area of jet pipe or nozzle: by axially moving an external member, e.g. a shroud
F02K 1/30
Using fluid jets to influence the jet flow: for varying effective area of jet pipe or nozzle
F02K 1/72
Using thrust reverser flaps or doors mounted on the fan housing: the aft end of the fan housing being movable to uncover openings in the fan…

Family

Application60/954,756Us provisional application · filed 8 Aug 2007

PCT/US2008/072448Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 7 Aug 2008

Application12/485,559Parent of this division · filed 16 Jun 2009

US 2013/0161414 A1Pre-grant publication · published 27 Jun 2013

US 8,511,062 B2Parent of this division · filed 20 Aug 2013

US 2016/0169158 A9Pre-grant publication · published 16 Jun 2016

Application12/485,559Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 2010/0229528 A1Published application

US 9,777,671 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Actuation system for a translating variable area fan nozzle

Life of this patent

Actuation system for a translating variable area fan nozzle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8