Rohr, Inc.

Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited

Norman John James

Michael John Layland

Alan J Binks

Stuart James Byrne

Daniel M Amkraut

Jihad I Ramlaoui

John Herbert Harvey

Christian Soria

Tony Jones

Jeffrey W Moe

Peter Bacon

Ricardo A Burdisso

Mark Hubberstey

Stephen Michael Roberts

Joel H Frank

Ruben C Garcia

David A Baer

Brett John Wharton

Randall J Seaver

Neil Charles Davies

Keith E Ritchie

David Forsey

Steven Andrew Wylie

Shunshen Richard Wang

Bryant Lynoel McKleny

Abbott R Masters

Sheila Cornejo

Thomas W Scott

Neil Davies

Lynoel Mckleny Bryant

Brett Wharton

Joel Hudson Frank

Shunsen Richard Wang

Brett J Wharton

Peter W Bacon

Neil C Davies

A cascade-variable area fan nozzle system (the 'CVAFN System') is provided. The CVAFN system may comprise a cascade portion and a variable area fan nozzle ('VAFN') portion. The VAFN portion may include a VAFN panel. The cascade and VAFN panel may be integrally formed with one another. The CVAFN system may include an actuation system (e.g., a jack screw) that is configured to translate the cascade and VAFN panel forward and aft. The cascade and VAFN panel may be translated aft in response to activation of the thrust reverser and/or CVAFN system.

Dual actuation system for cascade and thrust reverser panel for an integral cascade variable area fan nozzle

In various embodiments, the thrust vectoring systems described herein create variable reverse thrust during a landing event. The reverse thrust may be varied based on manual inputs, dynamically changing operating events, or a landing duty cycle. In various embodiments, the thrust vectoring systems comprise a movable shelf that is capable of adjusting a directing a fluid flow to create a variable reverse thrust which may reduce the risk of foreign object ingestion in the engine at lower ground speeds.

System, apparatus, and method for thrust vectoring

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

Variable area fan nozzle with bypass flow

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

Nacelle with longitudinal translating cowling and rotatable sleeves

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.

Translating variable area fan nozzle providing an upstream bypass flow exit

An aircraft propulsion system may include a generally annular fan case defined by a fan configured to be disposed at a forward end thereof and a stator blade array configured to be disposed at an aft end thereof, a thrust reversing assembly comprising at least a portion of the fan case, the fan case comprising a generally annular cascade array, and/or a sleeve situated at least partially about the cascade array, the sleeve configured to deploy to expose the cascade array. The aircraft propulsion system may further comprise a blocker door coupled to at least one of the cascade array and an inner surface of the fan case, the blocker door configured to deploy to redirect airflow through the cascade array.

Aircraft propulsion system fan case comprising thrust reversing assembly

Nacelle air management systems for a high bypass ratio engine are provided. The nacelles air management systems may include an outer cowl and an inner cowl that are configured to provide dual bypass flow channels around an engine core. These systems may be employed to accommodate larger engine fans. The nacelle air management system may also include one or more blocker doors are configured to at least partial obstruct and/or direct air from the dual bypass flow channels to create reverse thrust.

Nacelle for a high bypass ratio engine with multiple flow paths

A hybrid beam for support of a nacelle panel of a jet engine is disclosed. The beam is comprised of a first longitudinal composite panel and a second longitudinal composite panel, wherein the first longitudinal composite panel is integrally affixed to the second longitudinal composite panel along a longitudinal edge. The composite panels form a composite beam structure that is substantially open with a cross-section that is generally 'L-shaped'. A plurality of hinge stations are affixed to a first side of the first longitudinal composite panel and at least one track guide is disposed on a second side of the first longitudinal composite panel. The track guides receive a head portion of a slider that is fixed to the translating jet engine nacelle panel. Each hinge station further comprises a bushing for defining a center of rotation for the jet engine nacelle panel relative to the beam.

Hybrid hinge and latch beam

A nacelle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a forward nacelle portion having an aft edge and defining a bypass duct that transports bypass airflow of the turbofan engine, a translatable sleeve that is translatable aft of the forward nacelle portion, and a variable area fan nozzle (VAFN) airfoil that is movable between a stowed position, a VAFN flow position, and a thrust reverse position. Blocker doors for the thrust position are integrated into the VAFN airfoil.

Variable area fan nozzle with one or more integrated blocker doors

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

Pivoting blocker door for thrust reverser

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

Inlet section of an aircraft engine nacelle

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

Ladder cascade torque box

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

Nacelle

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

Hydraulic blocker door deployment systems

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

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Norman John James