Latching mechanism for a jet engine thrust reverser door

Abstract

A latching mechanism is disclosed for a jet engine thrust reverser having a thrust reverser door movably connected to an engine cowling with a reverse thrust opening, the thrust reverser door being movable between a forward thrust position, in which the thrust reverser door covers the reverse thrust opening, and a reverse thrust position, in which the reverse thrust opening is uncovered. The latching mechanism has a lock bar mounted on the thrust reverser door, the lock bar having a distal end, and a latch member pivotally located on the cowling, the latch member having a slot engaged by the distal end of the lock bar when the thrust reverser door is in the forward thrust position. The latch member is movable between a latched position, in which the latch member prevents disengagement of the distal end of the lock bar from the slot, so as to lock the thrust reverser door in the forward thrust position, and an unlatched position which permits disengagement of the distal end of the lock bar from the slot. The latching mechanism also includes a hook member connected to the cowling and located so as to engage the distal end of the lock bar upon relative movement between the cowling and the thrust reverser door away from each other in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cowling, such engagement preventing disengagement of the distal end of the lock bar from the slot and displacement of the thrust reverser door from the forward thrust position.