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 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 lock pin hole in a slider of the thrust reverser 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. The thrust reverser sleeve lock is located out of a plane in which other anti-deployment mechanisms of the thrust reverser are located.

Abstract: A thrust reverser system that has one or more moveable thrust reverser components for redirecting the thrust of a jet engine. The thrust reverser system has a torque limiter coupled between synchronization mechanisms that mechanically couple actuators used to drive the thrust reverser. The torque limiter reduces the potential for the transmission of excessive torque between thevdifferent moveable thrust reverser components, and reduces the likelihood of secondary system damage due to a jam in the system. Thus, the cost and/or weight associated with each of the components comprising the system may be reduced.

Abstract: A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine having an air duct defined radially inwardly by a cowl around a gas turbine and radially outwardly in part by a fan case of the engine includes a bulkhead that is adapted to be mounted on the fan case. A translating sleeve is supported for movement axially between a closed position adjacent the bulkhead and an open position spaced apart axially to the rear of the bulkhead so as to form a outlet opening for discharge of air from the air duct. A cascade array fixed in the outlet opening has a substantially conical portion, the forward end of which is of a diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the rearward end.

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: A system for controlling one or more jet engine thrust reversers includes a motor, a speed sensor, and a controller circuit. The motor is coupled to one or more jet engine moveable thrust reverser components for moving the one or more moveable thrust reverser components to at least a deployed position. The speed sensor is operable to sense the a rotational speed of the motor. The controller circuit has an output coupled to the motor for selectively energizing and deenergizing the motor in response to the speed sensor sensing that the rotational speed of the motor is, respectively, at or above a first predetermined rotational speed and at or below a second predetermined rotational speed. The system controls the deployment operation of the jet engine thrust reversers such that unwanted mechanical and electrical loads are avoided.

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 system for controlling one or more jet engine thrust reversers includes a motor, a position sensing device, and a controller circuit. The motor is coupled to one or more jet engine thrust reverser moveable components for moving the one or more thrust reverser moveable components to at least a stowed position. The position sensing device is operable to sense at least when the one or more thrust reverser moveable components attain a predetermined position relative to the stowed position. The controller circuit has an output coupled to the motor so the motor rotates at a variable speed in response to a position sensing device that senses when the predetermined position is attained. The system controls the stowage operation of the jet engine thrust reversers such that structural damage is avoided, and/or a limit cycle condition is prevented, and/or engagement of stow locks is assured.

Abstract: A system for controlling one or more jet engine thrust reversers includes a motor, a speed sensor, and a controller circuit. The motor is coupled to one or more jet engine moveable thrust reverser components for moving the one or more moveable thrust reverser components to at least a deployed position. The speed sensor is operable to sense the a rotational speed of the motor. The controller circuit has an output coupled to the motor for selectively energizing and deenergizing the motor in response to the speed sensor sensing that the rotational speed of the motor is, respectively, at or above a first predetermined rotational speed and at or below a second predetermined rotational speed. The system controls the deployment operation of the jet engine thrust reversers such that unwanted mechanical and electrical loads are avoided.

Abstract: A cascade type thrust reverser for an air duct of a turbofan engine includes a lock mechanism mounted on a track beam that supports the translating sleeve. A locking portion of a lock member of the lock mechanism is engageable with a slider by which the translating sleeve is supported by the track beam to lock the translating sleeve in the forward, closed position.

Abstract: An improved jet engine thrust reverser that includes a sensor to determined the rotational position of a motor. The system includes an actuator, a motor, motor position sensor, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit converts the rotational position of the motor to thrust reverser system using, for example, a summation algorithm and reset logic. The summation algorithm incrementally calculates absolute position of the thrust reverser from the sensed motor rotational position.

Abstract: An actuator comprising, a first, rotatable member arranged to be driven by a motor, a sleeve, said first member cooperating with said sleeve such that rotation of the first member at a given speed relative to said sleeve causes the sleeve to be translated axially at a first speed through a predetermined distance, stop means limiting axial translation of the sleeve reative to the first member whereafter during continued rotation of the first member the sleeve rotates with the first member, a second, non-rotatable, member, said sleeve cooperating with said second member whereby rotation of the sleeve at said given speed causes axial translation of the second member relative to said sleeve at a second speed and, a brake arrangement applying a braking force to the sleeve, the braking force resisting rotation of the sleeve but not significantly affecting translation of the sleeve.

Abstract: A thrust reverser system includes one or more actuators each having an integrated locking mechanism that prevents unintended actuator movement, and thus unintended thrust reverser movement. Each of the actuators with the integrated locking mechanism includes a housing, a drive shaft, and a lock. The drive shaft includes an outer surface, is rotationally mounted within the housing, and is operable, in response to the operation of the one or more motors, to rotate in a first rotational direction, to thereby move the thrust reverser to the deploy position, and a second rotational direction, to thereby move the thrust reverser to the stow position. The lock is movably mounted within the housing and is operable to move between at least a first position and a second position, and includes at least a side surface and a bottom surface. One or more gears are provided on the outer surface of the drive shaft, each of which is adapted to mesh with gears that are operably coupled to the thrust reverser.

Abstract: A thrust reverser includes a pair of doors covering corresponding portals in an exhaust duct between an inlet and outlet nozzle at opposite ends thereof. The duct also includes a pair of side beams having actuators mounted thereon, and operatively joined to the doors for selective rotation thereof about corresponding pivots. Blister fairings are disposed inside the duct and sealingly join the doors to the beams around respective ones of the pivots.

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 system for controlling one or more jet engine thrust reversers includes a motor, a speed sensor, and a controller circuit. The motor is coupled to one or more jet engine moveable thrust reverser components for moving the one or more moveable thrust reverser components to at least a deployed position. The speed sensor is operable to sense the a rotational speed of the motor. The controller circuit has an output coupled to the motor for selectively energizing and deenergizing the motor in response to the speed sensor sensing that the rotational speed of the motor is, respectively, at or above a first predetermined rotational speed and at or below a second predetermined rotational speed. The system controls the deployment operation of the jet engine thrust reversers such that unwanted mechanical and electrical loads are avoided.

Abstract: A system for controlling one or more jet engine thrust reversers includes a motor, a position sensing device, and a controller circuit. The motor is coupled to one or more jet engine thrust reverser moveable components for moving the one or more thrust reverser moveable components to at least a stowed position. The position sensing device is operable to sense at least when the one or more thrust reverser moveable components attain a predetermined position relative to the stowed position. The controller circuit has an output coupled to the motor so the motor rotates at a variable speed in response to a position sensing device that senses when the predetermined position is attained. The system controls the stowage operation of the jet engine thrust reversers such that structural damage is avoided, and/or a limit cycle condition is prevented, and/or engagement of stow locks is assured.

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 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: The cascade-type thrust reverser comprises a cowling in which there is formed an opening which, when in a direct thrust mode, is closed by a sliding cowl and which, in a thrust-reversal mode, is uncovered by the translation of the said sliding cowl, a fan duct being defined between an interior skin and an exterior skin, said exterior skin having a radius Re in the plane transversal to the longitudinal axis of the reverser and passing through the upstream end of the sliding cowl in the direct thrust mode, and said interior skin having, downstream of this upstream plane, a maximum radius Ri in a plane parallel to the upstream plane, the upstream end of the said sliding cowl substantially blocking the fan duct upstream of the said downstream plane in a thrust-reversal mode, the said radius Re being less than the radius Ri.

Abstract: An electric thrust reverser actuation system includes an electric motors that is controlled to operate in both a motoring mode and a generating mode. During normal actuation system operations, the electric motor is controlled to operate in the motoring mode to move one or more moveable thrust reverser components. During a power interrupt event, in which the motor's primary power source is lost, the motor is controlled to operate in the generating mode. The electrical power generated by the motor during its operation in the generating mode maintains the thrust reverser system locking mechanisms in an energized, unlocked condition, thereby preventing damage to system components.

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: The cascade-type thrust reverser comprises a cowling in which there is formed an opening which, when in a direct thrust mode, is closed by a sliding cowl and which, in a thrust-reversal mode, is uncovered by the translation of the said sliding cowl, a fan duct being defined between an interior skin and an exterior skin, said exterior skin having a radius Re in the plane transversal to the longitudinal axis of the reverser and passing through the upstream end of the sliding cowl in the direct thrust mode, and said interior skin having, downstream of this upstream plane, a maximum radius Ri in a plane parallel to the upstream plane, the upstream end of the said sliding cowl substantially blocking the fan duct upstream of the said downstream plane in a thrust-reversal mode, the said radius Re being less than the radius Ri.

Abstract: An improved pivoting door thrust reverser system for a turbofan aircraft jet engine having a non-translatable housing and at least one thrust reverser door being pivotable between a stowed forward thrust position and a deployed reverse thrust position. The thrust reverser door is pivotable about a first axis and a kicker plate is hinged to the door at a second axis. As the door is deployed by an actuator a spring loaded roller clamp means keeps the kicker plate clamped to the actuator body until a portion of the kicker plate positively engages the thrust reverser door and the roller clamp means is then disengaged from the actuator body.

Abstract: An integrated exhaust nozzle and thrust reverser for a turbojet engine is provided. The exhaust nozzle comprises an exhaust duct situated within a fairing (9), a set of hot flaps (14) at a downstream end of the duct, a set of cold flaps (16) at a downsteam end of the fairing (9), and a thrust reverser (30). The thrust reverser comprises two eyelids (31, 32) which are movable between a thrust reversal position wherein they project into the duct and a forward-thrust position. In a takeoff mode, the eyelids (32, 33) are moved away from each other by one or more actuators (50) acting on arms (33, 34) pivotably connected to the eyelids (31, 32). Movement of the eyelids (31, 32) from the reverse-thrust position to the forward-thrust position, or vice-versa, is implemented by control actuators (35, 36).

Abstract: An actuation activation system for an aircraft engine thrust reverser system is provided including an improved locking actuator (29), a sleeve sensor mechanism, and auto-restow control logic. The locking actuator (29) includes a lever (57) corresponding to whether the actuator is locked or unlocked. A slide-by first proximity sensor (45) is positioned near the lever and set to normally far and triggering near. The first proximity sensor produces a first trigger signal for use in the auto-restow control logic. The sensor mechanism includes a second slide-by proximity sensor and a target in communication with a thrust reverser translating sleeve. The second sensor is connected to the forward side of an engine torque box. A preferred embodiment sensor mechanism (78) is provided and includes a pivotable target arm (96) having a proximal end (98), a distal end (100), and a middle portion pivotably connected to fixed engine structure, preferably torque box (30).

Abstract: A hinge arm for a thrust reverser door may be mounted to an exhaust nozzle using an aft mount. The mount includes a frame for attachment to the nozzle. A swing link has a first pin pivotally joined to the frame, and a second pin for pivotally joining the hinge arm to the link to permit both swinging and pivoting of the hinge arm from the frame. The aft mount thusly permits the reverser doors to be reliably stowed around the nozzle.

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: The invention concerns a backblast gas structure for jet engine comprising a thrust reversal system with two downstream doors. The invention is characterized in that the two tilt-up doors articulated about axes (6, 7) are mounted on two side beams (2, 3) with free downstream edges (16, 17) comprising protuberances (18, 19). The door downstream edges (13, 14) having median zones (13b, 14b) forming an angle (A) with the lateral parts (13a, 14a), such that when the doors are in retracted position in direct jet, the beam (13b, 14b) edges (16, 17) of the doors are found in the same plane (P2), thereby constituting a gas exhaust outlet which is planar and substantially circular. The invention aims at improving the power package performance in direct jet.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic based emergency flight control system for an aircraft. The system has a thrust vectoring flight control system, an aerodynamic flight control system, and a fuzzy logic controller. The thrust vectoring flight control system provides thrust to the aircraft in an emergency situation alone or in combination with aerodynamic flight controls. The fuzzy logic controller executes fuzzy logic algorithms for assessing the emergency situation and controlling the aircraft thrust vectoring and aerodynamic flight control systems in the emergency situation. An adjustable nozzle is coupled to an exhaust thrust end of an engine of the aircraft and is angularly adjusted to direct thrust of the aircraft in a determined direction after fuzzy logic controller assessment of the emergency situation.

Abstract: A turbojet-engine cowling combined with a thrust reverser comprising a large-displacement displaceable component (7) includes an electrically grounding mechanism for the displaceable component (7) when in its forward-thrust position. The grounding mechanism comprises an elastic device (20) dedicated to shunt the electric current away from any mechanical member used in the displacement without any displaceable connecting element.

Abstract: An exhaust assembly for a jet powerplant of a supersonic airplane comprising a rear structure fitted with a thrust reverser. The rear structure includes a primary multi-flap nozzle of variable cross-section situated downstream of a primary duct, a secondary multi-flap nozzle of variable cross-section situated downstream of a secondary duct enclosing the primary duct and a fairing enclosing the secondary duct and fitted with a throat downstream of an exhaust orifice of the secondary nozzle, the throat being followed by a diverging portion. The thrust reverser comprises two eyelids affixed in a pivotable manner to the fairing, one on each side to of an axial plane of symmetry. The eyelids are movable between an active, thrust-reversal position wherein the eyelids project transversely into a gas jet downstream of the fairing to deflect the gas jet in a forward direction for thrust-reversal and an inactive, forward-thrust position wherein the eyelids are situated in an extension of the fairing.

Abstract: A thrust reverser for a turbojet engine comprising displaceable downstream baffles (2) which are integrated into the outer wall of the annular bypass-flow duct so as to form the downstream end of the exhaust nozzle of the turbojet engine during the operation of the turbojet engine in a forward-thrust mode is provided. When in a thrust-reversal mode, the downstream baffles (2) are positioned so as to deflect the bypass flow and obtain thrust reversal. The baffles (2) are pivotably mounted on stationary pivots (10) and have at least one associated displacement mechanism (6, 7) for driving the baffles (2). Each downstream baffle (2) has an associated displaceable inner panel (13). Each baffle (2) and the associated inner panel (13) are driven through different angular displacements by the at least one associated displacement mechanism (6, 7), which is common to the baffle (2) and the associated inner panel (13), to change between the forward-thrust mode and the thrust-reversal mode.

Abstract: A translating sleeve structure for a cascade type thrust reverser system for controlling fan air for a turbofan aircraft gas turbine jet engine, such translating sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially arranged spaced blocker doors, each of which is hingedly connected to a door receptacle bonded into a single layer honeycomb panel inner wall of the sleeve at a longitudinal position which is aft of bleed ports positioned in the core cowl of the engine for periodically expelling gases from the engine at elevated temperatures and pressures. Positioning such blocker doors aft of the bleed ports precludes injury to the blocker doors or to their hinged connections to the core cowl and permits smaller uniformly sized doors to be used.

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.

Abstract: An actuator comprising a drive arrangement arranged to rotate a first drive member, the first member being in screw-threaded engagement with a second member, the second member being in screw-threaded engagement with a third, output member, wherein the screw-threaded engagement between the first and second members is such that, when the first member rotates at a given speed relative to the second member, the second member moves axially relative to the first member at a first speed, the screw-threaded engagement between the second and third members being such that, when the second member rotates at the said given speed relative to the third member, the third member moves axially relative to the second member at a second, higher speed. The invention also resides in an aircraft engine thrust reverser system utilizing one or more of the above actuators for deploying cowls of the system.