Having Thrust Reverser Patents (Class 60/226.2)
  • Publication number: 20120073262
    Abstract: An air discharging device (20) for an aircraft turbine engine, comprising at least one door (24) displaceable between an open and a closed position of a corresponding orifice (30) and comprising two valves (26, 28), which delimit between them a conduit (68) for guiding a portion (74) of the secondary flow (76) outwards in the downstream direction, and which are integral with each other and are hinged around a pivot axis (58), so that in said open position, the upstream end of said internal valve (26) protrudes from the inner side relative to the internal surface (12), the downstream end of said external valve (28) protrudes from the external side relative to the external surface (14), and said internal valve (26) is spaced away from the fixed structure (22) so that an air passage exists downstream of said internal valve (26), between the latter and said fixed structure (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Guillaume BULIN, Thierry Surply
  • Publication number: 20120067024
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thrust reverser (1) for the nacelle of a dual-flow turbine engine, in which the bypass means (4) and the actuation jacks (22) of the sliding cowling (2) and of the reverse flaps (20) are arranged in two substantially parallel planes arranged above one another in the radial direction of the nacelle. The invention also relates to a nacelle for a dual-flow turbine engine that comprises such a thrust reverser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Guy Bernard Vauchel
  • Patent number: 8136341
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: FACC AG
    Inventors: Walter Stephan, Roland Zeillinger, Andreas Maier
  • Patent number: 8127530
    Abstract: The thrust reverser comprises sections, such as arms and skins, which may be connected along joints to provide a thrust reverser body. A plurality of fittings may be integrally formed on a surface of each arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: The NORDAM Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Lair, Paul Weaver
  • Patent number: 8127529
    Abstract: A nozzle for use in a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle door having a first end, a second end opposed from the first end, and a pivot between the first end and the second end. A linkage connects to the nozzle door and to an actuator. The actuator is selectively operative to move the linkage to in turn move the nozzle door about the pivot between a plurality of positions, such as a stowed position, an intermediate position, and a thrust reverse position, to influence a bypass airflow through a fan bypass passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Edward B. Pero, Leonard D. Aceto
  • Patent number: 8122702
    Abstract: A transcowl for a gas turbine engine thrust reverser includes an arcuate outer wall; an arcuate inner wall; and an arcuate baffle positioned between the inner and outer walls at a forward end of the transcowl. The baffle has an arcuate cross-sectional shape which defines a forward-facing interior area. An arcuate forward seal is carried at a forward end of the inner wall. The forward seal includes a plurality of axially-extending, spaced-apart arcuate seal teeth which collectively define a labyrinth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chi-Ling Michael Tsou, Carl Francis Holdren, William Andrew Bailey, Dean Thomas Lenahan
  • Publication number: 20120036830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thrust reversal device comprising at least one cowl arranged in such a way that it can be moved between a closed position and an open position, said cowl being actuated by at least one actuator that can be driven by at least one electric engine. The invention is characterised in that at least one electric engine is connected to at least two separate power supplies (7a, 7b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Hakim Maalioune
  • Patent number: 8109468
    Abstract: Aircraft nacelle including a cowling and an engine, the cowling including a fixed portion and a mobile portion able to slide in order to define a radial opening with the mobile portion, a thrust reverser system including a plurality of flaps intended to be deployed in order to seal at least partially an annular channel surrounding the engine, the mobile portion of the cowling including an annular housing extending longitudinally in order to receive the flaps in rest position. Each flap is linked to the fixed portion by a pivot joint and is linked to the mobile portion by a sliding-pivot joint, in such a way that a sliding of the mobile portion in separating from the fixed portion provokes a rotation of each flap around the axis of rotation of the joint with the fixed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Robert Andre, Benoit Letay, Benjamin Saget, Eric Inghelbrecht
  • Patent number: 8109466
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ray Aten, Sara Christine Crawford
  • Publication number: 20120023900
    Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft nacelle comprising a cowling, an engine housed in an internal volume of the cowling and at least one thrust reverser, an air passage duct (7) being formed between the internal wall of the said cowling and an external wall of the said engine (12). According to the invention, the said cowling comprises a fixed cowling part (2) and a moving cowling part (3) capable of translational movement between a plurality of positions, at least one of the said positions varying the air flow through the said duct (7), the said moving cowling part (3) comprising the said at least one thrust reverser so that translational movement of the said moving cowling (3) also allows the said moving cowling (3) to switch from a position in which the said at least one thrust reverser is retracted into a reverse-thrust position in which the bypass flow is deflected to generate a reverse thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Stephane FLIN, Michael Galinier, Benoit Letay, Benjamin Saget
  • Patent number: 8104262
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Richard M. Marshall
  • Patent number: 8104261
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Marshall, Robert L. Gukeisen
  • Publication number: 20120011826
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbojet engine with a fan (2) and a nacelle element (2) forming the secondary duct downstream of the fan, the turbojet engine comprising an intermediate casing (6) with an outer shroud (61) to which said nacelle element (8) is fixed by means of a connecting member, wherein the connecting member comprises a cylindrical element (62) secured to the shroud (61) while at the same time being capable of a rotational movement with respect to the axis of the engine and connected to said nacelle element (8) by a bayonet-type fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Emily Barnes, Pierre-Alain Jean-Marie Philippe Hugues Chouard, Yoann Marechal
  • Patent number: 8096501
    Abstract: Aircraft nacelle which includes a cowl with a longitudinal axis, an engine housed in the cowl, an annular channel surrounding the engine and designed to receive a secondary flow, wherein the cowl includes a fixed part and a moving part which slides along the longitudinal axis to define a radial opening between the moving and fixed parts, a thrust reverser system which includes internal flaps mounted so that they rotate and which are designed to block the annular channel, at least partially, in the deployed position, where the moving part of the cowl includes a radial housing to receive the internal flaps in the at-rest position and where a system of applying an elastic force on each flap towards deployment is provided. Thus control over the position of the internal flaps is obtained directly by sliding the moving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Jacques Herve Marche
  • Publication number: 20120006000
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bent connecting rod (31) for linking a first assembly to a second assembly which are movable relative to each other and through which a flow in the space defined thereby passes. The rod has at least one first and one second pivot point (35, 38) that are designed so as to enable the pivotal movement of the connecting rod (31) relative to said first and second assemblies, respectively, the bent connecting rod (31) being suitably positionable such that the bend (40) is located upstream from said flow relative to said second pivot point (38), said second pivot point (38) being suitably built into the second movable assembly, characterized in that the bent connecting rod (31) includes at least two portions (33, 37) linked together by at least one self-aligning means (39a, 39b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventors: Guy Bernard Vauchel, Peter Segat, Andre Baillard, Georges Alain Bouret
  • Patent number: 8091827
    Abstract: A thrust reverser door provides in one aspect a separation of structural and aerodynamic functions through the provision of individual structures. In some embodiments, an aerodynamic element is adjustable in position, while in other embodiments, the relative positions are fixed. An exemplary aerodynamic element extends radially into the reverser flow to redirect the flow away from the door surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: The NORDAM Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lair
  • Patent number: 8091335
    Abstract: A swept fan ramp for a pivot door thrust reverser includes a cylindrical unit with an elliptical flared portion, a side portion, and a rectangular flared portion. The elliptical flared portion is operable to reduce drag on airflow in a reverse direction and is coupled to the top center and bottom center of the circumference of the cylindrical unit. The side portion is operable to reduce side spillage airflow and is coupled to the central left side and central right side of the aft circumference of the cylindrical unit. The rectangular flared portion is operable to promote separation of airflow into an upper airflow path and a lower airflow path, is coupled with the aft circumference of the cylindrical unit, and is connected to the elliptical flared portion and the side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe E. Sternberger
  • Publication number: 20110296812
    Abstract: A thrust reverser actuation system includes a plurality of actuators, a power drive unit, and a gear set. Each actuator is coupled to receive an actuator input torque and is configured, upon receipt of the actuator input torque, to move between a stowed position and a deployed position. The power drive unit has only one output shaft, and is configured to supply a drive torque via the output shaft. The gear set is connected to the output shaft and is coupled to each of the actuators. The gear set is configured to receive the drive torque via the output shaft and to supply the actuator input torque to each of the actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Steve Abel, Tony Libera
  • Publication number: 20110289900
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine system includes a first nozzle section associated with a gas turbine engine bypass passage and a second nozzle section that includes a plurality of positions relative to the first nozzle section. In at least one of the positions, there is a gap between the first nozzle section and the second nozzle section. A movable door between the first nozzle section and the second nozzle section selectively opens or closes the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Alfred M. Stern
  • Publication number: 20110277448
    Abstract: A guide system for translating components of an aircraft engine nacelle includes a track assembly and a slider assembly. The track assembly includes a track guide member and a track liner engaged therewith. The track guide member includes a track channel configured to receive the track liner. The track liner defines an interior surface and includes a projection portion projecting inwardly of the track channel to define a convex surface. The slider assembly translatably engages the track assembly and includes a slider member having a head portion configured to be received within the track channel. The head portion defines a concave surface substantially corresponding to the convex surface of the track liner and is configured to mate therewith. The slider member further includes an extension portion extending from the head portion and outwardly of the track assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Roberts
  • Patent number: 8052086
    Abstract: A thrust reverser door is provided, in one configuration, with a plurality of peripherally-disposed frames circumferentially spaced apart from one another and projecting radially inwardly on an interior side of the door to thereby provide a channel for redirecting thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The NORDAM Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lair
  • Patent number: 8052085
    Abstract: The thrust reverser includes, in one aspect, an interior flow deflector which defines a portion of a substantially continuous and uninterrupted nozzle interior surface with the interior of a jet pipe when the door is in a stowed position, thereby reducing aerodynamic losses and improving efficiency. In another aspect, improved sealing arrangement between the jet pipe and the door provides increased performance when the doors are stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The NORDAM Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lair
  • Patent number: 8051639
    Abstract: The thrust reverser is used with an aircraft gas turbine engine and includes upper and lower doors pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. When deployed, the doors redirect a portion of the efflux to generate a nose-down pitching moment on an aircraft to improve handling during thrust reversing on a runway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The NORDAM Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lair
  • Publication number: 20110265446
    Abstract: The control system of the invention includes at least one actuator (6) for a cowling (2), driven by at least one electric motor (7), and a control means (9) for the electric motor (7). The electric motor control means (9) includes a means for determining and/or estimating the outside temperature of the turbojet engine, the electric motor control means being adapted for adjusting the driving torque supplied by the electric motor on the basis of said outer temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Hakim Maalioune
  • Patent number: 8037687
    Abstract: In a bypass turbomachine, at least one air takeoff orifice is provided in the primary channel, said orifice leading to an air takeoff pipe housed inside an air inlet sleeve of the nacelle. The air takeoff pipe opens out in the vicinity of the pylon into two air diffusion pipes each secured to a respective maintenance cover, each air diffusion pipe opening out into an air injection pipe secured to a thrust reverser cover and itself opening out to the outside of the nacelle via the trailing edge thereof, each air injection pipe being suitable for uncoupling from the corresponding air diffusion pipe when the corresponding thrust reverser cover slides downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Bruno Albert Beutin, Jacky Raphael Michel Derenes, Frederic Paul Eichstadt, Alexandre Alfred Gaston Vuillemin
  • Patent number: 8016227
    Abstract: An engine cowl door assembly is provided for fuselage mounted turbine engines to minimize manufacturing costs and part counts. In one embodiment, the engine cowl door assembly includes at least one non-handed engine cowl door, a pylon apron coupled to the fuselage of an aircraft and providing an attachment point for a first portion of the engine cowl door and a fairing coupled to the turbine engine and providing a latching point for a second portion of the engine cowl door to the turbine engine. The pylon apron, positioned on an inboard side of the turbine engine, and the fairing, positioned on an outboard side of the turbine engine, are identically shaped to provide interchangeability of the engine cowl door from a turbine engine mounted on a first side of an aircraft fuselage to a turbine engine mounted on a opposed second side of an aircraft fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Hammer
  • Patent number: 8015797
    Abstract: The thrust reverser comprises a first reverser door and a second reverser door asymmetrically pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position, one having a pivot axis closer to the central axis than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lair
  • Patent number: 8006479
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine system includes a first nozzle section associated with a gas turbine engine bypass passage and a second nozzle section that includes a plurality of positions relative to the first nozzle section. In at least one of the positions, there is a gap between the first nozzle section and the second nozzle section. A movable door between the first nozzle section and the second nozzle section selectively opens or closes the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Alfred M. Stern
  • Publication number: 20110192135
    Abstract: A control system comprises a TRAS actuator 14, a VAFN actuator 40, and a control arrangement 52 operable to control the operation of the TRAS actuator 14 and the VAFN actuator 40, wherein at least one control circuit 54 of the control arrangement 52 is a common control circuit, common to the operation of both the TRAS actuator 14 and the VAFN actuator 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicants: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited, Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard John McKay, Gareth Edward Morris, Paul Hardy, Marc Holme, Nichola Ann Sanderson, Colin Roy Terrey
  • Publication number: 20110167790
    Abstract: A nacelle assembly for a high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a fan nacelle that includes a first fan nacelle section and a second fan nacelle section, the second fan nacelle section movable relative to the first fan nacelle section. A cascade array is mounted to the first fan nacelle section for movement relative thereto between a stored position and a deployed position, the stored position locates the cascade array at least partially within the first fan nacelle section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas G. Cloft, Robert L. Gukeisen
  • Patent number: 7966808
    Abstract: A baffle seal for a thrust reverser of a gas turbine engine includes a seal body of a resilient material. The seal body has a relatively flat central portion with opposed front and back sides. A raised sealing rim extends at least partially around the central portion. An outer periphery of the sealing rim extends beyond an outer periphery of the central portion so as to define an exposed sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chi-Ling Michael Tsou, Carl Francis Holdren, William Andrew Bailey, Dean Thomas Lenahan
  • Patent number: 7966828
    Abstract: A variable area fan nozzle for use with a gas turbine engine system includes a nozzle section that is attachable to a gas turbine engine for influencing flow through the fan bypass passage of the gas turbine engine. The nozzle section is movable between a first length and a second length that is larger than the first length to influence the flow. For example, the nozzle section includes members that are woven together to form collapsible openings that are open when the nozzle section is moved to the first length and that are closed when the nozzle section is moved to the second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Colin L. Cini, Kenneth C. Baran
  • Publication number: 20110146230
    Abstract: An assembly includes a unitary nacelle structure and an integrated fan housing for a gas turbine engine assembly. The unitary nacelle structure includes an inlet region and a fan cowl region, and is configured to at least partially circumscribe the integrated fan housing. The integrated fan housing comprises an integral composite structure and includes a fan case sized and configured for encircling a fan blade assembly of an associated gas turbine engine, a fan hub, and a plurality of fan outlet guide vanes. The unitary nacelle structure cooperates with the integrated fan housing to transfer static and dynamic loads directly to a support structure, rather than through the engine core, to minimize backbone bending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Donald George LaChapelle, Christopher Charles Glynn, Donald Lee Gardner, Stephen Craig Mitchell, Mullahalli Venkataramaniah Srinivas, Edward Atwood Rainous, David Lance Pennekamp
  • Patent number: 7954759
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical control system for the nacelle of a turboreactor, comprising a plurality of electromechanical maneuvering elements for a plurality of actuating devices embodied as auxiliary parts of the turboreactor. The invention is characterized in that the control system comprises an electronic control box comprising a plurality of control inlets to be connected to control elements, and a plurality of outlets connected to electromechanical maneuvering of the auxiliary actuating devices. The control box can translate each instruction received into an operating sequence for at least one corresponding electromechanical maneuvering element. The invention also relates to a nacelle and an aircraft provided with one such control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventor: Thierry Marin Martinod
  • Publication number: 20110120079
    Abstract: A nacelle assembly for a high-bypass gas turbine engine is disclosed and includes a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) including at least one second fan nacelle section movable relative to the first fan nacelle section to modify an area of the bypass flow path. At least one stiffener is mounted between the first fan nacelle section and the second fan nacelle section. The stiffeners modify mode shapes and natural frequencies to substantially reduce or eliminate flutter within operating ranges that are produced by unsteady aerodynamic loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Fred W. Schwark, JR., Oliver V. Atassi, William D. Owen
  • Publication number: 20110120078
    Abstract: A variable area fan nozzle for a high-bypass gas turbine engine includes a first track slider movable relative to the hinge beam along a first interface. A second track slider is movable relative to the first track slider along a second interface that is more closely controlled than the first interface. A VAFN cowl is mounted to the second track slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Fred W. Schwark, JR., Oliver V. Atassi, William D. Owen
  • Patent number: 7946106
    Abstract: A device that is capable of actuating at least two cowls of a thrust reverser. The device includes for each cowl, (a) at least two actuators suitable for opening and closing the cowl, (b) at least one slave flexible transmission shaft establishing mechanical connection between the two actuators of the cowl and (c) at least one mechanical coupling device associated to the at least one slave flexible transmission shaft. The device is further comprised of one motor, and at least two master flexible transmission shafts, each master flexible transmission shaft establishing mechanical connection between the motor and one respective mechanical coupling device. Upon rotation of the electrical motor, the master flexible transmission shafts are actuated, which causes actuation of the mechanical coupling devices, which causes actuation of the slave flexible transmission shafts and thereby the extension or retraction of the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventors: Michel Philippe Dehu, Fabrice Henri Emile Metezeau, Pierre André Marcel Baudu, Vincent Pierre Germain Le-Coq
  • Patent number: 7946105
    Abstract: A bi-directional locking ring assembly is provided comprising a housing and a gear having a plurality of teeth. The gear is coupled to the housing to rotate in opposite directions about a rotational axis. A pin is also coupled to the housing and has an apex configured to travel along a line that does not pass through the rotational axis of the gear. The pin is configured to translate between (1) a disengaged position wherein the gear is free to rotate, and (2) an engaged position wherein the apex resides between two of the plurality of teeth to prevent rotation of the gear in both rotational directions. A pin actuator is coupled to the housing and configured to engage the pin to selectively lock the pin in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brent L. Bristol, Kevin K. Chakkera, Peter J. Auer, Remo N. Neri
  • Patent number: 7919938
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement comprises a plurality of linearly extendable actuators arranged to be driven by a common electrically driven motor, each actuator, being provided with limit stops to limit extension and/or retraction thereof, wherein the limit stops of the actuators are positioned such that a first one of the actuators has a smaller range of permitted extension than at least a second one of the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited
    Inventors: John Herbert Harvey, Stephen Harlow Davies
  • Publication number: 20110072780
    Abstract: A thrust reverser drive arrangement is described for use in driving a thrust reverser cowl for movement relative to first and second guide tracks, the drive arrangement comprising a first actuator located, in use, close to the first guide track, and a second actuator located, in use, close to the second guide track, the actuators being arranged to be driven in synchronism and at the same speed by a drive motor to drive the cowl for movement, wherein at least one of the first and second actuators is provided with a load limiter to limit the transmission of loads through that actuator in the event that that actuator is subject to a compressive loading greater than a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Michael Paul Somerfield, Benjamin Thomas Tucker
  • Publication number: 20110056183
    Abstract: An ultra-efficient “green” aircraft propulsor utilizing an augmentor fan is disclosed. A balanced design is provided combining a fuel efficient and low-noise high bypass ratio augmentor fan and a low-noise shrouded high bypass ratio turbofan. Three mass flow streams are utilized to reduce propulsor specific fuel consumption and increase performance relative to conventional turbofans. Methods are provided for optimization of fuel efficiency, power, and noise by varying mass flow ratios of the three mass flow streams. Methods are also provided for integration of external propellers into turbofan machinery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Mithra M.K.V. Sankrithi, Gerhad E. Seidel, Alan K. Prichard, Matthew Moore
  • Patent number: 7891167
    Abstract: A flow reverser comprising a sleeve having a first part and a second part to define a flow path and axially separable from each other about a conjunction formed by a respective profile edges for the first part and the second part, the profile edges in a stowed position overlapping, the reverser characterised in that in a deployed position a nozzle part of each profile edge define together a nozzle jet and a reverser part of one edge profile is adjacent to a core to provide an effective flow deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Udall
  • Publication number: 20110030338
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bypass turbojet engine nacelle comprising a downstream section equipped with a thrust reverser device comprising a moving cowl (6) mounted such that it can move in translation in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the nacelle and able to move alternately from a closed position in which it ensures the aerodynamic continuity of the nacelle and covers deflection means (70) and an open position in which it opens a passage in the nacelle and uncovers the deflection means, the said moving cowl also being extended by at least one nozzle section (7) mounted at a downstream end of the said moving cowl, characterized in that the nozzle section comprises at least one panel (10) mounted such that it can rotate about at least one pivot about an axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nacelle, the said panel further being connected to a fixed fairing structure (2) of the turbojet engine by at least one link rod (11) mounted such that it can rotate
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Guy Bernard Vauchel
  • Publication number: 20110023450
    Abstract: Assembly for supporting a gas turbine engine comprises a support member including mounting sites for attachment to an associated aircraft. The support member includes integral slider tracks disposed on opposed sidewalls for selective engagement with a translatable cowl. The translatable cowl is translatable along the slider tracks to selectively cover and expose a cascade thrust-reversing structure. The cascade structure includes arcuate segments mounted in hinged relationship to the support member. Rearward translation of the translatable cowl to a service position permits the cascade structure to be opened for access to the core engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Alan Roy Stuart, John Robert Fehrmann
  • Patent number: 7878451
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe E. Sternberger, Andrew R. Croskey
  • Publication number: 20110016846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for at least one actuator (6) for the cowlings of a thrust inverter in a turbojet engine, that comprises an assembly of actuation and/or control components. A control means (9) is provided for detecting the failure of an actuation and/or control component (7, 16, 13), for determining the blocking or non-blocking character of the failure for the system operation and, in case of a non-blocking failure, for switching from a nominal operation mode to a failure-adaptation operation mode in which the failure of the actuation and/or control component (7, 16, 13) is compensated at least partially by a modified instruction of the other actuation and/or control components (7, 16, 13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Hakim Maalioune
  • Patent number: 7874142
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a bypass duct defined radially outwardly by a nacelle and radially inwardly by a core engine casing. The nacelle comprises a thrust reverser unit having at least one blocker door rotatably attached to a static part and slidably connected to a translating part. The translating part is arranged to move between a stowed position and a deployed position and in the deployed position the blocker door spans the bypass duct. In the stowed position the blocker door is stowed inside the translating part and does not form part of an airwash surface of the bypass duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
    Inventor: Peter K Beardsley
  • Patent number: 7866142
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprising a core engine a fan and a fan casing surrounding the fan and extending rearwardly to attach to an array of outlet guide vanes characterised in that a cascade is rigidly attached to the fan casing and is connected to the core engine via a second support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Peter K Beardsley, Glenn A Knight
  • Publication number: 20100326047
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Martin Kenneth Gabel
  • Publication number: 20100313546
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turbojet engine nacelle that includes a power supply source (113) for a system for actuating and controlling a thrust reverser device (121), and for a system for actuating and controlling a variable nozzle device (120), characterised in that the power supply can be switched between a first position in which it powers the system for actuating and controlling the thrust reverser device, and a second position in which it powers the system for actuating and controlling the variable nozzle device, wherein the switching is carried out under the action of a control output from a computer (103) capable of receiving a thrust reverser opening control (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: AIRCELLE
    Inventor: Benoit Kubiak