Abstract: The exit area of a nozzle assembly is varied by translating a ring assembly located at a rear of the engine nacelle. The ring may be axially translatable along the axis of the engine. As the ring translates, the trailing edge of the ring defines a variable nozzle exit area. Translation of the ring creates an upstream exit at a leading edge of the ring assembly. The upstream exit can be used to bleed or otherwise spill flow excess from the engine bypass duct. As the engine operates in various flight conditions, the ring can be translated to obtain lower fan pressure ratios and thereby increase the efficiency of the engine. Fairings partially enclose actuator components for reduced drag.

Abstract: A nacelle includes at least a first cowling which at least partially defines an inlet of the nacelle and which at least partially defines an outlet of the nacelle. The first cowling can include a unitary portion that extends continuously from the inlet to the outlet. The nacelle also includes a second cowling that at least partially defines the inlet and which translates relative to the first cowling. The nacelle can include a third cowling that at least partially defines the outlet and translates relative to the first cowling.

Abstract: A variable area fan nozzle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a nacelle having an aft edge and a translating nozzle segment having a forward edge and a first end. The nozzle segment is movably disposed behind the aft edge such that an upstream bypass flow exit is defined between the aft edge and the forward edge when the nozzle segment is in a deployed position. A deflector is disposed between the aft edge and the forward edge proximate to the first end. The deflector substantially prevents bypass flow from exiting the upstream bypass flow exit in a region that is proximate to the first end.

Abstract: A thrust reverser includes a translating sleeve and a blocking door assembly that includes two, three, or four blocker door segments. The translating sleeve is movable axially with respect to a fan case and a core cowl between a cruise position and a thrust reversal position. The blocker door segments are positioned adjacent an inner wall of the translating sleeve in the cruise position, and are pivotable to a position in which the blocker door segments substantially block the bypass duct in the thrust reversal position. Each blocker door segment is connected to the translating sleeve at transverse ends by a pair of support bearings that establish a pivot axis along an arc chord of the blocker door segment.

Abstract: A nacelle inlet for an aircraft engine of a type having an engine fan case with a forward flange includes an acoustic inner barrel having a forward edge and an aft edge, an outer shell having a nose lip portion with a trailing inner edge, and an outer barrel portion having an aft portion. The nacelle inlet also includes an aft attachment flange configured to attach the inlet to the forward flange of the engine fan case, and an aft bulkhead having an aft end and connecting the outer barrel portion of the outer shell to the aft attachment flange. The forward edge of the acoustic inner barrel is connected to the trailing inner edge of the nose lip portion, and the aft portion of the inner barrel is attached to the aft attachment flange.

Abstract: A variable area fan nozzle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a nacelle having an aft edge and a translating nozzle segment having a forward edge and a first end. The nozzle segment is movably disposed behind the aft edge such that an upstream bypass flow exit is defined between the aft edge and the forward edge when the nozzle segment is in a deployed position. A deflector is disposed between the aft edge and the forward edge proximate to the first end. The deflector substantially prevents bypass flow from exiting the upstream bypass flow exit in a region that is proximate to the first end.

Abstract: Torque boxes and thrust reversers are disclosed. Torque boxes include a torque box comprising a hinge beam, a forward wall having a bullnose profile connected to the hinge beam to support a torque load, an aft wall having a bullnose profile connected to the hinge beam to support the torque load, the aft wall located aft of the forward wall, and a vane connected to an aft surface of the forward wall and a forward surface of the aft wall, wherein the aft surface of the forward wall and the forward surface of the aft wall are configured to direct air flow in a forward direction and the vane is configured to direct air flow radially outward. Thrust reversers include a translating sleeve, a blocker door mounted to the translating sleeve, and a torque box.

Abstract: A nacelle configured to be coupled to an underside of a wing so as to form a clearance space therebetween includes at least a lip defining an inlet and a first cowling disposed aft of the lip. The first cowling has an outer surface with at least one concave region that is depressed relative to another region of the outer surface. In some aspects, the depressed region can be disposed on an inboard side of the wing, for example, on an upper surface of the first cowling facing a wing. The nacelle can include a second cowling disposed between the lip and the first cowling and the first cowling can translate in a longitudinal direction relative to the second cowling.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a jet engine thrust reverser is disclosed. The hydraulic circuit may comprise a primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly and a secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly. The primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly may be hydraulically coupled to the secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly, in a master-slave relationship, and the secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly may drive a thrust reverser blocker door. The primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly may comprise a rod, and the rod may comprise a channel through which hydraulic fluid is capable of flowing. The hydraulic circuit may further comprise a group of secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assemblies, wherein the group of secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assemblies may be coupled to the primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A nacelle is configured to be coupled to an underside of a wing so as to form a clearance space therebetween. The nacelle includes at least a first cowling which at least partially defines an inlet of the nacelle and which at least partially defines an outlet of the nacelle. The first cowling can include a unitary portion that extends continuously from the inlet to the outlet. The first cowling can also include a flattened surface.

Abstract: A nacelle is configured to be coupled to an underside of a wing so as to form a clearance space therebetween. The nacelle includes at least a first cowling which at least partially defines an inlet of the nacelle and which at least partially defines an outlet of the nacelle. The first cowling can include a unitary portion that extends continuously from the inlet to the outlet. The first cowling can also include a flattened surface.

Abstract: Torque boxes and thrust reversers are disclosed. Torque boxes include a torque box comprising a hinge beam, a forward wall having a bullnose profile connected to the hinge beam to support a torque load, an aft wall having a bullnose profile connected to the hinge beam to support the torque load, the aft wall located aft of the forward wall, and a vane connected to an aft surface of the forward wall and a forward surface of the aft wall, wherein the aft surface of the forward wall and the forward surface of the aft wall are configured to direct air flow in a forward direction and the vane is configured to direct air flow radially outward. Thrust reversers include a translating sleeve, a blocker door mounted to the translating sleeve, and a torque box.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a jet engine thrust reverser is disclosed. The hydraulic circuit may comprise a primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly and a secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly. The primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly may be hydraulically coupled to the secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly, in a master-slave relationship, and the secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly may drive a thrust reverser blocker door. The primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly may comprise a rod, and the rod may comprise a channel through which hydraulic fluid is capable of flowing. The hydraulic circuit may further comprise a group of secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assemblies, wherein the group of secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assemblies may be coupled to the primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A variable area fan nozzle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a nacelle having an aft edge and a translating nozzle segment having a forward edge and a first end. The nozzle segment is movably disposed behind the aft edge such that an upstream bypass flow exit is defined between the aft edge and the forward edge when the nozzle segment is in a deployed position. A deflector is disposed between the aft edge and the forward edge proximate to the first end. The deflector substantially prevents bypass flow from exiting the upstream bypass flow exit in a region that is proximate to the first end.

Abstract: A nacelle inlet for an aircraft engine of a type having an engine fan case with a forward flange includes an acoustic inner barrel having a forward edge and an aft edge, an outer shell having a nose lip portion with a trailing inner edge, and an outer barrel portion having an aft portion. The nacelle inlet also includes an aft attachment flange configured to attach the inlet to the forward flange of the engine fan case, and an aft bulkhead having an aft end and connecting the outer barrel portion of the outer shell to the aft attachment flange. The forward edge of the acoustic inner barrel is connected to the trailing inner edge of the nose lip portion, and the aft portion of the inner barrel is attached to the aft attachment flange.

Abstract: A nacelle configured to be coupled to an underside of a wing so as to form a clearance space therebetween includes at least a lip defining an inlet and a first cowling disposed aft of the lip. The first cowling has an outer surface with at least one concave region that is depressed relative to another region of the outer surface. In some aspects, the depressed region can be disposed on an inboard side of the wing, for example, on an upper surface of the first cowling facing a wing. The nacelle can include a second cowling disposed between the lip and the first cowling and the first cowling can translate in a longitudinal direction relative to the second cowling.

Abstract: A nacelle includes at least a first cowling which at least partially defines an inlet of the nacelle and which at least partially defines an outlet of the nacelle. The first cowling can include a unitary portion that extends continuously from the inlet to the outlet. The nacelle also includes a second cowling that at least partially defines the inlet and which translates relative to the first cowling. The nacelle can include a third cowling that at least partially defines the outlet and translates relative to the first cowling.

Abstract: A nacelle is configured to be coupled to an underside of a wing so as to form a clearance space therebetween. The nacelle includes at least a first cowling which at least partially defines an inlet of the nacelle and which at least partially defines an outlet of the nacelle. The first cowling can include a unitary portion that extends continuously from the inlet to the outlet. The first cowling can also include a flattened surface.

Abstract: A variable area fan nozzle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a nacelle having an aft edge and a translating nozzle segment having a forward edge and a first end. The nozzle segment is movably disposed behind the aft edge such that an upstream bypass flow exit is defined between the aft edge and the forward edge when the nozzle segment is in a deployed position. A deflector is disposed between the aft edge and the forward edge proximate to the first end. The deflector substantially prevents bypass flow from exiting the upstream bypass flow exit in a region that is proximate to the first end.

Abstract: A nacelle inlet for an aircraft engine of a type having an engine fan case with a forward flange includes an acoustic inner barrel having a forward edge and an aft edge, an outer shell having a nose lip portion with a trailing inner edge, and an outer barrel portion having an aft portion. The nacelle inlet also includes an aft attachment flange configured to attach the inlet to the forward flange of the engine fan case, and an aft bulkhead having an aft end and connecting the outer barrel portion of the outer shell to the aft attachment flange. The forward edge of the acoustic inner barrel is connected to the trailing inner edge of the nose lip portion, and the aft portion of the inner barrel is attached to the aft attachment flange.