Abstract: A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine is disclosed in which the pressure of the gases passing through the cold flow air duct act on a downstream segment of the thrust reverser door so that the door is normally biased toward its closed, forward thrust position. This positively eliminates any possibility of the thrust reverser door inadvertently opening into its reverse thrust position. The thrust reverser according to the present invention is thus self-closing regardless of the position and/or functioning of the typical closing and locking mechanisms. The thrust reverser door assembly has internal and external doors separately pivotally attached to the turbofan housing so as to each be movable between closed, forward thrust positions, and opened, reverse thrust positions. A single actuating mechanism may be utilized to move both of the internal and external doors between their respective closed and opened positions.

Abstract: A thrust reverser for a turbofan-type turbojet engine is disclosed having first and second thrust reverser doors pivotably attached to the turbojet housing. The outer door is pivotably attached to the housing so as to pivot about a fixed axis extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The inner thrust reverser door pivots about a second axis, extending generally parallel to the first pivot axis, which axis is also capable of moving along a translational path in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. An actuator is connected to both the inner and outer thrust reverser doors such that they are simutaneously moved between their closed and opened positions. The inner thrust reverser door pivots abouts its pivot axis as it is being moved to its open position as the pivot moves along a translational path from one end of the path to the other end.

Abstract: A thrust reverser is disclosed having a thrust reverser door with an outer door panel pivotally attached to an inner door panel which, in turn, is pivotally attached to an annular housing. The door panels are pivotable about parallel, but displaced pivot axes such that the inner door panel undergoes a greater range of motion between its closed and open positions that does the outer door panel. This enables the inner door panel to be flush with the upstream and downstream portions of the inner housing surface to provide a smooth airflow through the air duct during the forward thrust mode, while at the same time enabling an efficient operation of the door during the reverse thrust mode.

Abstract: A thrust reverser includes a thrust reversing door having maximum efficiency in both the closed, forward thrust position and the open, reverse thrust positions. An inner panel is pivotally attached to the thrust reverser door by a linkage mechanism such that, in the closed position, an interior surface of the inner panel is substantially flush with the interior surfaces of the housing defining the cold flow duct so as to minimize or eliminate any perturbations in the air flowing through the cold flow duct. When the door is moved to the opened position, the linkage mechanism interconnecting it to the inner panel causes the inner panel to pivot a greater amount so as to bring an upstream portion of the inner panel closer to an upstream portion of the door to expose the deflector and thereby increase the thurst reversing efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a movable air deflector which, in a first position, deflects air passing through the cold flow air duct of a turbofan engine in a direction such that it approximates the theoretical air flow line and does not enter a cavity defined by the interior of the thrust reverser door when the door is in its closed position. A linkage mechanism connects the air deflector to the door actuator, such that, when the door is moved to its opened or thrust reversing position, the deflector is moved to a second position so as to minimize its interference with the thrust reversing air flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thrust reverser system for a turbofan-type turbojet engine having thrust reverser doors with movable deflectors. The deflectors are movably attached to an upstream edge of the thrust reversing doors and are movable between retracted and extended positions. When the thrust reversing door is closed and the turbojet engine operates in its normal thrust mode, the deflectors are retracted thereby enabling the difference between the inner surface of the thrust reversing door and the theoretical aerodynamic flow line to be reduced or eliminated. When the thrust reversing door is in the thrust reversing position, the deflector is extended so as to protrude beyond the inner surface of the door so as to direct the air flow in a more forward direction to increase the thrust reversing capabilities of the system. The deflectors are mounted on the thrust reversing door such that they are automatically extended when the thrust reversing door moves to the thrust reversing position.