Abstract: A cascade assembly is provided for installation in an aircraft nacelle. The cascade assembly comprises a first cascade portion fixed to a non-movable portion of the nacelle. The first cascade portion comprises a bracket. A second cascade portion is fixed to a translating sleeve portion of the nacelle. The second cascade portion comprises a catch. The bracket is configured to receive the catch in response to the translating sleeve portion being in a deployed position.

Abstract: A nacelle for housing an engine includes a fan cowl sized to cover at least a first axial portion of the engine. The engine includes an inlet end, an exhaust end, and an axis extending through the engine from the inlet end through the exhaust end. The fan cowl is coupled to an engine mounting pylon via a mounting assembly including at least one power drive system. The fan cowl is movable with respect to the engine along the axis toward at least one of the inlet end and the exhaust end.

Abstract: An inner fixed structure of a thrust reverser includes an inner skin, an outer skin, a cellular core disposed between the inner skin and the outer skin, and at least one crack and delamination stopper extending radially between the inner skin and the outer skin.

Abstract: A high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a variable area fan nozzle with an acoustic system having an acoustic impedance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear telescopic actuator for moving a first (10b) and a second (10a) element relative to a stationary element (102). Said actuator comprises a base (101) that is to be connected to the stationary element (102) and is used as a cavity for a first rotationally locked rod (106) which can be translated by a drive shaft (104) that is to be connected to rotational driving means (107). One end (108) of said first rod is to be connected to the first element that is to be moved. The actuator is characterized in that the first rod (106) supports a second rod (117) which is aligned therewith and one end (118) of which is to be connected to the second element that is to be moved. Said second rod (117) can be rotationally locked and can be translated by a second drive shaft (112, 115) which extends through the base and is connected to rotational driving means (113, 111).

Abstract: A nacelle assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a core nacelle defined at least partially about a core engine, a fan nacelle mounted at least partially around the core nacelle to define a fan bypass flow path, and a variable area fan nozzle in communication with the fan bypass flow path. The variable area fan nozzle has a first fan nacelle section and a second fan nacelle section downstream of the first fan nacelle section. The first fan nacelle section and the second fan nacelle section are axially movable relative to one another to define an auxiliary port to vary a fan nozzle exit area and adjust fan bypass airflow. The auxiliary port is defined between the first fan nacelle section and the second fan nacelle section. The first fan nacelle section comprises a first acoustic system which provides an acoustic impedance configured to attenuate a noise characterized by a leading edge of the second fan nacelle section.

Abstract: A thrust reverser assembly and operation suitable for high-bypass turbofan engines. The thrust reverser assembly includes a translating cowl mounted to a nacelle of an engine and adapted to translate in an aft direction of the engine. The translating cowl has a radially inner wall that defines a radially outer flow surface of a bypass duct of the engine. The thrust reverser assembly includes blocker doors axially guided adjacent first ends thereof by a fixed structure and pivotally and slidably connected along lengths thereof to the inner wall of the translating cowl so that translation of the translating cowl in the aft direction causes each blocker door to move from a stowed position to a deployed position as a result of the blocker door sliding at its first end relative to the fixed structure and sliding along its length relative to the inner wall of the translating cowl.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thrust reverser for a turbofan engine nacelle including a stationary portion (15) downstream from which is mounted at least one cowl (9) movable between a direct-jet position, in which the cowl (9) is aligned with the stationary portion (15), and a thrust-reversal position, in which the mobile cowl (9) is spaced apart from the stationary portion (15) so as to define an opening for the passage of a secondary flow (F), a means for deflecting (16) the secondary flow (F) through the passage opening, an actuator means (45) and a means (24) for guiding the mobile cowl (9) relative to the stationary portion (15), at least a first and a second adjacent cascade vane (13), positioned at an angle (B) relative to the movement axis (A) of the mobile cowl (9), arranged opposite the passage opening such that the deflected secondary flow (F) at least partially passes through the first and second vanes (13) in order to increase the deflection of said secondary flow (F) in the upstream direction, sai

Abstract: The invention relates to a jet engine nacelle intended to equip an aircraft, comprising a forward air inlet section, a mid-section intended to surround a fan of the jet engine, and an aft section formed from at least first and second hath-shells rotatably mounted about an axis such that they can each be deployed between a working position in which the half-shells are drawn towards one another and a maintenance position in which the half-shells are spaced apart, at least the first half-shell (11) being equipped with a first follower element (19) in a region situated at a distance from the axis of rotation, the nacelle being equipped with a first fixed guide element (28), the first follower element (19) being designed to bear against a first guide element (28) which is fixed with respect to the jet engine during the rotation of the first half-shell (11).

Abstract: A nacelle assembly for a high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a variable area fan nozzle having a first fan nacelle section and a second fan nacelle section. The second fan nacelle section being axially movable relative the first fan nacelle section to define an auxiliary port to vary a fan nozzle exit area and adjust fan bypass airflow, the second fan nacelle section includes at least one cowl with an inner portion, an outer portion and a multiple of stiffeners therebetween to increase a flutter margin.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement comprises an actuator having a rotatable drive input, a motor, and a drive transmission arrangement for transmitting rotary drive from the motor to the rotatable drive input of the actuator, wherein the transmission arrangement includes a telescopic drive coupling.

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.

Abstract: This actuator for an aircraft engine nacelle mobile structure (9) comprises a motor (1) intended to be mounted on a fixed part of the said nacelle, an endless screw (21) able to be turned by this motor (1), a slideway (5) intended to be connected to the said mobile structure (9) and comprising a nut (29) in mesh with the said endless screw, and a first ball end (15) allowing an angular offset between the axis of the said endless screw (21) and the said slideway (5). This actuator is notable in that it comprises a sleeve (19) able to accommodate the said screw (21) and extending with clearance inside the said slideway (5), the said nut (29) being mounted on that end of the said sleeve (19) that is closest to the said motor (1), and the said first ball end being interposed between the other end of the said sleeve (19) and the said slideway (5).

Abstract: A method of assembling a thrust reverser assembly for use in an aircraft gas turbine propulsion system. The method includes coupling a translating cowl to a fixed cowling, such that the translating cowl at least partially covers an engine, and is movable between an open position and a closed position. A rod end assembly is coupled to the translating cowl and an actuator is coupled to the rod end assembly, such that the actuator is movable between a first position and a second position. A torque bracket is coupled to the rod end assembly. The torque bracket includes at least two arms that each extend outward from the rod end assembly, such that a bending loading induced to the rod end assembly is induced to the translating cowl by the torque bracket.

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 power unit for providing propulsive thrust includes an efflux duct defining a first fluid flow path along which gaseous fluid travels for discharge from a first fluid exit opening to provide propulsive thrust. The power unit also has a thrust reversing structure which, when in a deployed position, redirects the flow of gaseous fluid along a second fluid flow path to discharge from a second fluid exit opening to provide reverse thrust. The thrust reversing structure includes longitudinally translating cowl portions, which are moveable from a stowed position to the deployed position where the translating cowl portions block a major portion of the first fluid exit opening to cause gaseous fluid to efflux from the second fluid exit opening. The translating cowl portions move in a generally longitudinal direction towards the deployed position along a path which is inclined to the power unit axis.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a bypass duct having a nozzle, through which fluid from the fan flows, and a variable area nozzle device located in the nozzle. The variable area nozzle device has an arcuate fairing having one end in slidable cooperation with the bypass duct. In a deployed position the area of the nozzle is reduced from that when stowed, thereby improving engine operability and efficiency.

Abstract: Track beams for the cowling of a jet engine for aircraft are formed of a base body with at least one slide for displaceably mounting a thrust reverser of the jet engine. A connection is provided for an inner engine cowling and fittings for detachably and pivotally attaching to a supporting structure or for connecting to another track beam. To provide such a track beam which has a particularly low weight yet, nevertheless, is sufficiently stiff, the base body is formed by a hollow profile section with a substantially closed cross-section. The hollow section is produced of a carbon-fiber-reinforced synthetic material by way of a resin-infusion process. Two flanges are provided on the hollow section of the base body of the track beam for providing a connection to the inner engine cowling.

Abstract: A missile in which a nose portion is rotatably mounted on a main body portion of the missile and is subjected to thrust to bring it to a demanded roll attitude and to apply to it a demanded lateral steering force. The thrust is produced by a propellant gas and supplied to discharge ducts in the nose portion which provide for the discharge of the propellant gas tangentially with respect to the nose portion. The discharge ducts are selectively opened and closed by relative axial displacement of the nose portion and a valve spool which controls the flow of propellant gas. An actuator responsive to guidance control signals causes a predetermined roll torque to bring the nose portion to a demanded roll attitude and a predetermined lateral steering force on the missile.

Abstract: An aircraft engine thrust reverser cascade assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced cascade segments, each cascade segment including a plurality of spaced vanes including an aft-most vane, and an aft end. The cascade assembly also includes an aft cascade ring removably attached to the aft ends of the cascade segments. The aft cascade ring includes a deflector portion that at least partially extends forward of the aft ends of the cascade segments. The deflector portion is configured to at least partially redirect at least a portion of a volume of air as the air outwardly passes between the aft-most vanes and the aft ends of the cascade segments.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine system includes a nozzle having a plurality of positions for altering a discharge flow received through the nozzle from a gas turbine engine fan bypass passage. The nozzle is integrated with a thrust reverser having a stowed position and a deployed position to divert the discharge flow and generate a reverse thrust force. At least one actuator is coupled with the nozzle and the thrust reverser to selectively move the nozzle between the plurality of positions and to move the thrust reverser between the stowed position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine system includes a fan (14), a housing (28) arranged about the fan, a gas turbine engine core having a compressor (16) at least partially within the housing, and a fan bypass passage (30) downstream of the fan for conveying a bypass airflow (D) between the housing and the gas turbine engine core. A nozzle (40) associated with the fan bypass passage includes a first nozzle section (54a) that is operative to move in a generally axial direction to influence the bypass airflow, and a second nozzle section that is operative to also move in a generally axial direction between a stowed position and a thrust reverse position that diverts the bypass airflow in a thrust reversing direction. An actuator (42) selectively moves the first nozzle section and the second nozzle section to influence the bypass airflow and provide thrust reversal.

Abstract: A low-leakage seal system for a pivot door type thrust reverser comprises a forward seal, an aft seal, and a pair of seal stops. The forward seal is attached to a forward portion of a thrust reverser. The aft seal is attached to an aft portion of the pivot door. The seal stops are attached to opposing sides of the pivot door and each seal stop couples with a pivot door hinge pin. Each seal stop includes a forward tab and an aft tab. The forward tabs of the seal stops make flush contact with the forward seal and the aft tabs make flush contact with the aft seal such that a continuous seal is formed between the pivot door and the fixed structure of the thrust reverser when the pivot door is stowed.

Abstract: A method for operating a turbofan engine assembly is provided. The turbofan engine assembly includes a core cowl which circumscribes the core gas turbine engine, a nacelle positioned radially outward from the core cowl, a fan nozzle duct having an area defined between the core cowl and a portion of the nacelle, a first cowl and a second cowl that define a portion of the nacelle wherein the second cowl is repositionable with respect to the first cowl, and a thrust reverser assembly wherein the second cowl surrounds the thrust reverser assembly. The method includes varying an operating speed of the fan assembly from a first operating speed to a second operating speed. The method further includes selectively positioning the second cowl between a first operational position and a second operational position to vary the area of the fan nozzle duct to facilitate improving engine efficiency at the second operating speed.

Abstract: Apparatus including an exhaust nozzle assembly having a translatable structure operable to open and close a flow diverting port in an exhaust duct. The translatable structure includes a forward region partly defining a converging nozzle region. The translatable structure includes a rearward region partly defining a diverging nozzle region. The forward region and the rearward region join at an inner edge that partly defines a throat constriction. The translatable structure is translatable between a plurality of operational positions each associated with a longitudinal position of the throat constriction. In a first operational position, the flow diverting port is fully closed. In a second operational position, the flow diverting port is fully opened. In a first intermediate operational position, the flow diverting port is fully closed. In a second intermediate operational position, the flow diverting port is at least partly opened.

Abstract: Aircraft systems having thrust reversers with support members are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an aircraft system includes a thrust reverser having a nozzle inner wall, a nozzle outer wall radially outward of the inner wall, and a blocker door carried by the outer wall. The blocker door is movable between a deployed position and a stowed position. The thrust reverser further includes a support member extending between a forward section of a nozzle inner wall and a forward section of the nozzle outer wall. The support member is positioned such that at least a portion of the support member is forward of the blocker door when the blocker door is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A by-pass turbojet including a thrust reverser. The thrust reverse comprises deflector means for deflecting all or part of the primary stream gas in such a manner that the deflected primary stream gas encounters the secondary stream, thereby reducing the injection speed of the secondary stream in an aft direction, and thus generating the thrust-reversal effect. The secondary stream escapes from the aft end of the nacelle. In the thrust-reversal position, the deflector means are inscribed radially substantially within the section of the primary nozzle cowl at the aft end of the nacelle. Such a thrust reverser is particularly simple in design, inexpensive, and makes it possible to avoid having moving parts present on the outside portion of the nacelle, thus simplifying the design of the turbojet.

Abstract: A thrust reverser system includes one or more actuators each having a locking mechanism that prevents unintended actuator movement, and thus unintended thrust reverser movement. Each of the actuators additionally includes a lock inhibitor assembly that engages the lock and prevents it from moving to its locked position until the actuator is moved into a stow position. Upon movement to the stow position, the lock inhibitor assembly disengages the lock, and the lock automatically moves into its locked position.

Abstract: An aircraft engine thrust reverser includes a bi-fold door having a first panel pivotally attached to a nacelle and a second panel hingedly connected to the first panel. The second panel is slidingly received within a pair of tracks disposed within the nacelle. A compression link provides mechanical communication between the second panel and an efflux control assembly such that the bi-fold door is hingedly openable when slidingly urged along the tracks when the compression link responds to the efflux control assembly.

Abstract: A backup locking system for a thrust reverser door comprises a catch pivotally mounted by a pivot pin to a fixed structure of the thrust reverser. A hook with a self-locking profile is provided at the free end of said catch for cooperation with a locking interface on the door in the event of failure of the normal locking systems. At its other end remote from said hook, the catch has a heel ending in a part-cylindrical surface which is concentric with said pivot pin. The catch is urged against the locking interface by a piston rod which presses against a front face of said heel under the force of a spring acting on a piston to which said piston rod is attached. When the rod is retracted, a double lever positively moves the catch toward a minimum opening angle, at which point the door can be opened. An unlocking spring causes the full opening of the catch to maximum open position when an opening lever is released.

Abstract: A thrust reverser system for a jet engine has a thrust reverser sleeve lock, preferably for each thrust reverser sleeve, that provides at least one of the redundant anti-deployment mechanisms of the thrust reverser. The thrust reverser sleeve lock has a lock pin that engages a thrust reverser sleeve when the thrust reverser sleeve is in a stowed position and the thrust reverser sleeve lock is in a lock position to prevent the thrust reverser sleeve from deploying. In an embodiment of the invention, the thrust reverser sleeve lock includes an single-action hydraulically actuated actutor to which the lock pin is affixed, the actuator extending the lock pin through a lock hole in the thrust reverser sleeve when the thrust reverser sleeve is in its stowed position and the thrust reverser sleeve lock is in a lock position.

Abstract: A thrust reverser includes axially adjoining forward and aft cowls defining a fan nacelle for surrounding a fan and core engine with a fan duct therebetween. The aft cowl has a forward face and the forward cowl has an aft face adjoining each other to define a reverser nozzle which converges radially outwardly. The aft cowl is translatable between a stowed position in which the reverser nozzle is closed and a deployed position in which the reverser nozzle is open for discharging fan air in a forward direction for thrust reversal.

Abstract: A thrust reverser cascade flow directing element (28) for a gas turbine engine (10) comprises a plurality of plates (30) and a plurality of flow directing vanes (40). At least one vane (40) extends between each pair of plates (30), the plurality of plates (30) are formed from sheet material and a single integral piece of ductile sheet material (32) forms the plurality of flow directing vanes (40). The single integral piece of ductile sheet material (32) has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart apertures (36) and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart sheet material portions (38) between the apertures (36) and the ductile sheet material (32) is bent at a plurality of longitudinally spaced positions such that each sheet material portion (38) defines one of the plurality of flow directing vanes (40).

Abstract: A thrust reverser for a gas turbine engine (10) comprises cascade structures (20,22) mounted in an engine cowl (12). The cascades (20,22) comprise a plurality of air deflecting vanes (24) arranged in fixed space relationship. At least one of the cascades (22) translates between a first inoperative position where the cascade (22) is stowed radially inward of the cowl (12) and a second operative position where the cascade (22) is clear of the cowl (12) to expose the air deflecting vanes (24). When the trust reverser is operative blocker doors (26) pivot across an annular duct (13) defined between the core engine (11) and the cowl (12) to deflect the airflow passing therethrough to the exposed cascades (20,22) to produce a braking force.

Abstract: A thrust reverser for a gas turbine engine (10) comprises cascade structures (20,22) mounted in an engine cowl (12). The cascades (20,22) comprise a plurality of air deflecting vanes (24) arranged in fixed space relationship. At least one of the cascades (22) translates between a first inoperative position where the cascade (22) is stowed radially inward of the cowl (12) and a second operative position where the cascade (22) is clear of the cowl (12) to expose the air deflecting vanes (24). When the trust reverser is operative blocker doors (26) pivot across an annular duct (13) defined between the core engine (11) and the cowl (12) to deflect the airflow passing therethrough to the exposed cascades (20,22) to produce a braking force.

Abstract: A thrust reverser for a turbojet engine is provided with at least one displaceable assembly including a displaceable cowling portion and a flap. The displaceable cowling portion and the flap each subtend stationary upstream and downstream cowling portions such that the displaceable cowling portion forms a portion of the external engine cowling covering a reverse thrust opening and the flap forms a portion of the outer boundary of the gas flow in a forward thrust position. In a reverse thrust position, the reverse thrust opening is uncovered, and the displaceable cowling portion and the flap are displaced downstream such that the displaceable cowling portion extends downstream, parallel to the longitudinal engine axis and above, without interference, the downstream cowling portion.

Abstract: An integrated system for missile steering, which uses both jet reaction control (JRC) and aerofin control systems, is provided with a variable coupling mechanism for adjusting the relative responsiveness of the two systems in accordance with the pressurization state of the JRC system pressure chamber. In one embodiment, the pivoting action of a joystick which actuates the gas flow control pintles of the JRC system is permitted only under sufficient pressurization of the pressure chamber. In a second embodiment, the extent to which the pintles protrude from their controllable housings is adjusted according to the pressure in the pressure chamber. In this manner, when JRC is undesirable or is unavailable, the missile aerofins are permitted their full range of motion without being constrained by the pintles.

Abstract: A cascade thrust reverser for use with a mixer/ejector noise suppressor has a set of internal blocker doors controllably moveable between a stowed position, where engine exhaust passes through and out the tailpipe, and a deployed position, where engine exhaust is blocked and redirected out a pair of cascades or louvers. External cascade doors cover the cascades from the outside during flight, but are moved aft, exposing the cascades, when the blocker doors are deployed subsequent landing. In a preferred embodiment, the cascade doors and the blocker doors are interconnected through a pair of actuation mechanisms, whereby movement of the cascade doors is sequenced to the motion of the blocker doors. The blocker doors and the cascade doors are shaped to provide a clean aerodynamic profile when stowed, so that the noise suppressor functions optimally. The actuation mechanisms also preferably include lock mechanisms for only allowing the thrust reversers to be deployed just subsequent landing.

Abstract: A thrust reverser for a turbofan jet engine having a stationary structure defining an upstream part of a fan cowling and an axially displaceable, annular structure located downstream of the stationary structure, wherein the inner surface of the fan cowling is spaced from an outer surface of an engine cowling to form an annular duct. A plurality of flaps form a portion of the inner surface of the fan cowling during a forward thrust position, and in a reverse thrust position, the flaps pivotably rotate about a stationary pivot so that their first edges are adjacent with the outer surface of the engine cowling to block the annular duct. A plurality of thrust reverser baffle portions are covered by the flaps during the forward thrust position, and during the reverse thrust position, the thrust reverser baffle portions cover a passageway in the fan cowling between the stationary structure and the displaceable structure.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided with a translatable cowl and a cascade structure which is nested within the translatable portion of the cowl. The cascade structure comprises a pair of C ducts which are exposed upon translation of a portion of the cowl. The C ducts are capable of rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the engine thus allowing access to the core of the engine.