US3599432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thrust reversing apparatus for turbo-fan propulsion unit
Assignee: Rohr Inc
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Filing: 1970-04-02
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Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1990-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A cowling is spaced around housing of aircraft turbo-fan engine to define therewith an annular passage for flow of fan air to the atmosphere. Cascaded thrust reversing vanes are mounted at aft end of cowling and in cruise flight are covered by a sleeve attached to the cowling, the sleeve being movable rearwardly to thereby uncover the vanes when thrust reversal is required. In one embodiment of the invention a narrow, expandable diaphragm encircles the inner wall of the sleeve, and means are provided to expand this diaphragm radially inward and into abutment with the engine housing to thereby block the fan air passage and deflect fan air through the thrust-reversing vanes. In a second embodiment, the diaphragm is mounted on the engine housing and expands outward against the deployed sleeve to block the fan air passage. In a third embodiment both the sleeve and the engine housing are provided with diaphragms which abut when expanded radially of the fan air passage.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter H Ellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:50
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K1/00; F02K1/54; F02K1/64; F02K1/645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
In a jet propulsion assembly wherein a tubular cowling is spaced around the housing of a turbofan jet engine to provide therebetween an annular passage through which fan air is discharged and wherein said housing has a maximum diameter aft of said cowling, thrust-reversing apparatus comprising: a plurality of thrust-reversing vanes fixedly attached to the aft edge of said cowling and extending circumferentially thereof, said vanes being inclined in the forward direction and spaced apart axially of said housing downstream from said cowling aft edge; an annular sleeve mounted on said cowling and having inner and outer walls which respectively cover opposite sides of said thrust-reversing vanes when said sleeve is in a stowed position wherein the forward edges of said walls are adjacent the aft edge of said cowling, said sleeve being movable to a deployed position downstream from said cowling wherein the forward portion of its inner wall is spaced relatively close to said housing near the maximum diameter portion thereof; means operatively associated with said sleeve for moving it between said stowed and deployed positions; an elastic diaphragm mounted on one of the outer side of said housing and the inner wall of said sleeve and extending circumferentially thereof, said diaphragm being expandable radially of the gap between said sleeve and said housing near the maximum diameter portion of said housing when said sleeve is in said deployed position, thereby to block said gap and deflect said fan air between said vanes; and means operatively associated with said diaphragm for expanding it at a selected time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
In a jet propulsion assembly wherein a tubular cowling is spaced around the housing of a turbofan jet engine to provide therebetween an annular passage through which fan air is discharged and wherein said housing has a maximum diameter aft of said cowling, thrust-reversing apparatus comprising: a plurality of thrust-reversing vanes fixedly attached to the aft edge of said cowling and extending circumferentially thereof, said vanes being inclined in the forward direction and spaced apart axially of said housing downstream from said cowling aft edge; an annular sleeve mounted on said cowling and having inner and outer walls which respectively cover opposite sides of said thrust-reversing vanes when said sleeve is in a stowed position wherein the forward edges of said walls are adjacent the aft edge of said cowling, said sleeve being movable to a deployed position downstream from said cowling wherein the forward portion of its inner wall is spaced relatively close to said housing near the maximum diameter portion thereof; means operatively associated with said sleeve for moving it between said stowed and deployed positions; an elastic diaphragm mounted on one of the outer side of said housing and the inner wall of said sleeve and extending circumferentially thereof, said diaphragm being expandable radially of the gap between said sleeve and said housing near the maximum diameter portion of said housing when said sleeve is in said deployed position, thereby to block said gap and deflect said fan air between said vanes; and means operatively associated with said diaphragm for expanding it at a selected time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm is mounted on the inner wall of said sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm is mounted on said housing at the maximum diameter portion thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said diaphragm is mounted on the inner wall of said sleeve and including a second elastic diaphragm mounted on said housing near the maximum diameter portion thereof and means operatively associated with said second diaphragm for expanding it radially of said gap at a selected time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |