SELF STOWING THRUST REVERSER TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to aircraft engines, and, more specifically, to thrust reversers theiein BACKGROUND ART Turbofan engines are typically composed of a fan driven at the front of the engine that draws air thiough a bypass duct that is bounded by the engine cowling on the inner surface and by the fan cowling on the outer surface In the case of a short nacelle, the generally annular duct that is bounded by the inner cowling and the outer cowling channels the bypass flow only, while in the case of a long nacelle, the upstieam portion of the annular duct channels the bypass flow only, and its downstream portion channels both the bypass flow and the engine core flow Thrust leveisers for turbofan type engines are well known in the art The nacelle of the turbofan engine on which the thrust reverser can be installed can be long or short The engine of the aircraft can be installed under the wing or on the fuselage The thrust reverser can be installed on commercial or business aircraft The known prior art fan thrust reversers can be, generally speaking, categorized in three distinct types The first type effects aft axial translation of the bypass structure for deployment of a series of blocker doois inside the bypass duct structure and the opening of an aperture in conjunction with exposing of radial cascade vanes for redirecting the bypass flow in the forward direction The second type also effects aft axial translation of the bypass structure for closing the bypass flow duct and opening an aperture for redirecting the bypass flow in the forward direction The aperture of the pπor ait may oi may not be equipped with cascades vanes The second type differs from the first type as the series of blockei doors is no longer present The thud type includes doors that rotate inside the bypass flow and outside in the ambient air for rediiectmg the bypass flow in the foiward direction This fan reverser type is generally called petal or pivoting door leverser The drawbacks of the first type prior art fan reversers are the necessity to provide aft translation capability to the rear portion of the bypass duct for reversing the fan flow, and the presence in the bypass duct of links, known as diag links, for the deployment of the series of blocker doors The drag links degrade engine performance in forward thrust, while the required guiding and sliding tracks of the translating cowls
inci ease weight of the nacelle While the second type of fan reverser appears to be an improvement, since the drag links and the associated series of blocker doors have been eliminated, its drawback is that it necessitates the provision of a laige bulge on the cowling of the engine so that the structure of the bypass duct that translates rearward can block the bypass flow for reverse flow purposes Although the thud type appears to be an improvement over the first and second types, its main drawback is the presence of wells in the bypass duct for housing the actuators that control pivoting of the doors The forward engine performance degradation that is associated with these wells usually requires an additional flap mechanism for fairing them Other drawbacks of this type of fan reverser are the required large actuator stroke and the extensive protrusion of the pivoting doors in the ambient air when they are pivoted to then deployed position During thrust reverse operation, the doors are driven from their flush and stowed position to then deployed and rotated position The deployed doors may thusly engage the aft-flowing ambient freestream air, and the att- flowing engine exhaust flow for redirecting it forward to provide aircraft braking thrust Since the freestream air and exhaust flow exert aerodynamic pressure loads on the deployed doors which act in the direction of deployment, redundant latching systems are typically used to prevent inadvertent deployment of the doors Such latching systems add complexity, weight, and expense to the thrust leverser system Accordingly, it is desired to provide an improved fan thrust reverser which is self contained in the fan nacelle for reducing size, complexity, weight, and drag More specifically, a first object of the thrust reverser is to provide a self-stowing feature A second object of the thrust reverser is to provide thrust reverse in a turbofan engine that does not require aft tianslation of any portion of the bypass duct A third object of the reverser is to eliminate drag links in the bypass duct when the reverser is in its toi waid thi ust position A touith object of the reverser is to provide for optimum direct thrust performance of the engine, and a clean aerodynamic boundary flow surface for the outer cowling of the bypass duct A fifth object of the reverser is to eliminate the senes of cascades A sixth object of the reverser is to limit the amount of external protrusion in the ambient air of the thi ust l evei ser sti ucture when in the deployed position A seventh object of the reverser is to reduce the stroke of the deployment actuators for further weight reduction DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION A thrust leveisei includes forward and aft louvers pivotally mounted in a compartment defining a flow tunnel thiough the outei and inner skins of a fan nacelle An aft flap is integrally joined to the aft louvei foi rotation therewith A unison link joins together the forward and aft louvers And, an actuator is joined to
the louvers for rotation thereof between a stowed position in which the louvers and flap are closed in the nacelle skins and a deployed position in which the louvers and flap are pivoted open from the skins. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention, in accordance with preferred and exemplary embodiments, together with further objects and advantages thereof, is more particularly described in the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partly sectional axial view of an exemplary turbofan aircraft gas turbine engine mounted to an aircraft wing, and including a fan thrust reverser integrated in the fan nacelle thereof. Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of the fan reverser illustrated in Figure 1 in a stowed position. Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of the fan reverser illustrated in Figure 2 in a deployed position. Figure 4 is an enlarged isometric view of a representative set of the reverser louvers illustrated in Figure 1 in an exemplary embodiment. MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Illustrated in Figure 1 is a turbofan aircraft gas turbine engine 10 suitably mounted to the wing 12 of an aircraft by a supporting pylon 14. Alternatively, the engine could be mounted to the fuselage of the aircraft if desired. The engine includes an annular fan nacelle 16 surrounding a fan 18 which is powered by a core engine surrounded by a core nacelle or cowl 20. The core engine includes in serial flow communication a multistage axial compressor 22, an annular combustor 24, a high pressure turbine 26, and a low pressure turbine 28 which are axisymmetrical about a longitudinal or axial centerline axis 30. During operation, ambient air 32 enters the fan nacelle and flows past the fan blades into the compressor 22 for pressurization. The compressed air is mixed with fuel in the combustor 24 for generating hot combustion gases 34 which are discharged through the high and low pressure turbine 26,28 in turn. The turbines extract energy from the combustion gases and power the compressor 22 and fan 18, respectively. A majority of the air is pressurized by the driven fan 18 for producing a substantial portion of the propulsion thrust powering the aircraft in flight. The combustion gases 34 are exhausted from the aft outlet of the core engine for providing additional thrust. However, during landing operation of the aircraft, thrust reversal is desired for aerodynamically slowing or braking the speed of the aircraft as it decelerates along a runway. Accordingly, the turbofan engine 10 includes a fan thrust reverser 36 wholly contained in or integrated into the fan nacelle 16 for selectively reversing fan thrust during aircraft landing. The fan thrust reverser, or simply fan reverser 36 is integrated directly into the fan nacelle 16. The fan nacelle includes radially outer and inner cowlings or skins 38,40 which extend axially from a leading edge of the nacelle defining an annular inlet 42 to an opposite trailing edge defining an annular outlet 44. The fan
1 nacelle 16 may have any conventional configuration, and is typically formed in two generally C-shaped 2 halves which are pivotally joined to the supporting pylon 14 for being opened during maintenance operations 3 The exemplary fan nacelle illustrated in Figure 1 is a short nacelle terminating near the middle of the 4 core engine for discharging the pressurized fan airflow separately from and surrounding the exhaust flow 34 5 dischai ged from the aft outlet of the core engine In alternate embodiments, the fan nacelle could be long and 6 extend downstream of the core engine for providing a single, common outlet for both the fan air and the core 7 exhaust 8 In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the core engine is mounted concentrically 9 inside the tan nacelle 16 by a row of supporting struts in a conventional manner The core cowl 20 is spaced
10 l dially inwaidly from the inner skin 40 of the fan nacelle to define an annular bypass duct 46 therebetween
1 1 which bypasses a majoi portion of the fan air around the core engine during operation The fan bypass duct
12 tei minates in an annular fan nozzle 48 at the nacelle trailing edge or outlet 44
13 A particular advantage of the fan reverser 36 is that the fan nozzle 48 itself may remain fixed at the
14 aft end of the fan nacelle surrounding the core engine And, the fan reverser 36 may be fully integrated in the
15 fan nacelle immediately forward or upstream from the fixed fan nozzle
16 More specifically, the fan reverser is illustrated in more detail in Figures 2 and 3 wherein the outer
17 and innei skins 38,40 are spaced radially apart to define an arcuate compartment or annulus 50 spaced axially
18 foi waidly from the nacelle trailing edge 44 The nacelle compartment 50 includes a flow tunnel or channel
19 52 extending radially between the inner and outer skins through which the pressurized fan bypass air 32 may
20 be discharged dui ing thrust reverse operation
21 All components of the fan leverser 36 may be fully contained within the corresponding
22 compaitment 50 therefor In paiticular, the fan reverser includes a forward louver or door 54 suitably
23 pivotally mounted in the compartment near the outer skin Correspondingly, an aft louver or door 56 is
24 suitably pivotally mounted in the compartment aft or behind the forward louver 54 near the inner skin
25 Cooperating forward and aft flaps 58,60 are suitably pivotally mounted in the compartment along
26 the inner skin 40 And, an aft failing 62 is suitably pivotally mounted in the compartment behind the forward
27 louvei along the outei skin
28 The forward louver 54 and aft fairing 62 conform with the contour of the outer skin 38 and are flush
29 theiewith to close the outlet end of the tunnel along the outer skin in the stowed position The forward louver
30 54 and aft failing 62 have generally convex outer surfaces and generally concave inner surfaces, and the flush 3 1 mounting thereof with the outer skin provides a substantially smooth aerodynamic surface over which the
32 fieestieam ambient an 32 may flow with minimal drag during operation
33 Correspondingly, the aft louver 56 is aligned between the forward and aft flaps 58,60 in the stowed
34 position to close the inlet end of the tunnel along the inner skin 40 The aft louver 56 is integrally joined to
35 the aft fairing 62 and att flap 60 in a unitary or one-piece component for rotary movement together
36 Accoidingly, the foi ward and aft flaps 58,60 and aft louver 56 conform with the contour of the inner skin 40
37 in the stowed position and are flush therein for providing an aerodynamically smooth outer boundary for the 38 aft end of the fan bypass duct 46
In this way, the louvers, flaps, and aft fairing conform with the respective outer and inner skins of the fan nacelle tor maintaining minimum drag performance thereof for the fan bypass air channeled through the bypass duct 46 during opeiation, as well as for the ambient air stream flowing over the nacelle during airci aft flight Suitable means are provided for deploying or moving open in unison or synchronization the forward and aft louvers 54,56 and the forward and aft flaps 58,60, with the att fairings 62 rotating with the aft louver and flap For example, the deploying means may include an elongate unison link 64 pivotally joining together the foiward and aft louvers 54,56 and extending generally axially therebetween in the stowed position lllustiated in Figure 2 The link 64 coordinates or synchronizes the simultaneous movement of the forward and alt louvei s during deployment, as well as during retraction A coopeiating linear actuator 66 is mounted in the forward end of the compartment 50 and is operatively joined to both louvers, through the first louver 54 for example, for rotation thereof between the stowed position closing the flow tunnel and a deployed position opening the tunnel In the stowed position illustiated in Figuie 2, the louvers, flaps, and aft fairing are all contained in the compaitment provided theietoi, whereas in the deployed position illustrated in Figure 3, the louvers, flaps, and aft faiπng are all pivoted open to permit reverse turning of the fan bypass air 32 outwardly through the flow tunnel 52 In the deployed position, the forward and att louvers 54,56 and the aft fairing 62 are pivoted open and extend radially outwardly from the outer skin 38 Correspondingly, the forward and aft flaps 58,60 are pivoted open and extend radially inwardly from the inner skin 40 The actuator 66 has an elongate output rod suitably joined to the unison link 64 to power the louvers and flaps open during deployment, and retract the louvers and flaps during stowing The actuator 66 may have any conventional configuration such as hydraulic, pneumatic, or electrical The radially inner surfaces of the forward and aft flaps 58,60 and aft louver 56 are concave ciicumfeientially, wheieas then outer surfaces are coπespondingly convex circumferentially And, as indicated above, the aft louver 56 and aft flap 60 are preferably integral with each other and coextensive both axially and circumferentially to provide one large door commonly pivoted along with the aft faiπng 62 integrally joined to the middle thereof In this way, the att louver and flap may be disposed flush with the inner skin 40 in the stowed position to close the aft end of the tunnel inlet Correspondingly, the forward louver 54 is disposed flush in most pait with the outer skin 38 in the stowed position for closing the forward part of the tunnel outlet And, the aft fairing 62 is nested with the forward louver to close the aft part of the tunnel outlet, whereas the forward flap 58 is nested with the aft louver to close the forward part of the tunnel inlet in the stowed position As shown in Figure 2, the forward louver 54 extends axially forward of the aft louver 56 and iadially outwardly theieabove in the stowed position Correspondingly, the aft fairing 62 is integrally joined to the att louver 56 and spaced in most part radially thereabove and flush with the forwaid louver 54 and outei skin 38 in the stowed position
The forward flap 58 illustrated in the stowed position in Figure 2 is pivotally mounted in the compaitment 50 iadially below or inboard of the forward louver 54 with substantially equal axial length, and is disposed flush with the inner skin and adjacent aft louver 56 and flap 60 Correspondingly, the aft louver 56 is disposed inboard of the aft fairing 62 with generally equal axial length, with the aft flap 60 extending aft theiefiom In this configuration, the louvers and flaps may be deployed open by the actuator 66 as illustrated in Figuie 3 for effecting thrust reverse operation of the turbofan engine, while also providing a self-closing or self-stowing component of torque or moment M to assist in closing the louvers and flaps during the stowing operation And, in the event of power loss in the actuator, the self-stowing closing moment M may use the aeiodynamic pressure forces exerted by the fan bypass air 32 on the deployed aft flap 60 to retract and stow all the louvers and flaps The kinematic operation of the louvers and flaps are controlled by their respective sizes and relative pivot mounting points These parameters may be conventionally determined for the particular design of the self-stowing fan thrust reverser matching the exemplary components illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 Foi example, the various pivot joints required for supporting the louvers and flaps may be effected by suitable pivot bearings or bushings suitably mounted to stationary frames within the reverser compartment And, the output rod of the actuator and its connection with the unison link 64 may be effected using conventional spherical rod end bearings suitably attached in corresponding clevis or other mounting brackets In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the forward louver 54 is pivotally joined near its att end in the compaitment 50 The forward flap 58 is pivotally joined near its aft end in the compaitment below the forward louver And, both the aft louver 56 and integral aft flap 60 are pivotally joined in common in the compartment neai the aft end of the aft louver 56 and the forward end of the aft flap 60 In this way, the forward and aft louvers 54,56 may be pivoted radially outwardly as illustrated in Figure 3 when deployed, whereas the forward and aft flaps 58,60 are pivoted radially inwardly into the fan bypass duct 46 The att fairing 62 is pivoted radially outwardly along with the aft louver 56 As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, a pan of laterally or circumferentially spaced apart cantilevers 68 extend att in the compartment from the supporting forward wall or radial flange therein The cantilevers are relatively thin in the circumferential direction and relatively tall in the radial direction tor providing sufficient stiength and rigidity tor supporting the forward louver and flap The forward louvei 54 includes a pair of iadially inwardly extending clevises which are pivotally mounted to the aft outer ends of the two cantilevers The forward flap 58 similarly includes a pair of radially outwardly extending clevises which are pivotally mounted to the att inner ends of the two cantilevers And, a pair of the unison links 64 pivotally join together the forward and att louvers 54,56 at laterally opposite sides thereof using suitable pivot joints As illustrated in Figure 4, a pair of thin plate side fences 70 integrally join together the aft louver 56 and aft faiπng 62 on the opposite lateral sides thereof to provide a strong integral box structure The two cantileveis 68 may be suitably joined to the side fences 70, with the side fences having corresponding pivot joints supported to suitable biackets in the compartment 50 for pivotally mounting therein the aft louver and failing, and integral aft flap 60
1 Wheieas the unison links 64 synchronize deployment and retraction of the forward and aft louvers 2 54,56, the foiward flap 58 is suitably pivotally joined to the forward louver 54 for synchronization therewith 3 during deployment and retraction 4 More specifically, an idler link 72 as illustrated in Figure 3 pivotally joins together the forward 5 louvei 54 and the forward flap 58 A cooperating drive link 74 pivotally joins the output rod of the actuator 6 66 to the foi ward louver 54 tor movement between the stowed and deployed positions The idler link 72 may 7 be conveniently joined to the middle of the drive link 74 for synchronous movement of the forward louver 54 8 and the forward flap 58 as the actuator drives the drive link 74 either axially forward during deployment or 9 axially att during stowing
10 As shown in Figure 4, a single drive link 74 may be used with a corresponding single actuator 66
1 1 and may be pivotally joined to the lateral or circumferential middle of the forward louver 54 for deployment
12 theieof Actuation loads are transferred through the drive link 74 and into the forward louver 54 for
13 deployment thereof, with the deployment loads then being split along both unison links 64 for
14 coi respondingly driving the aft louver and flap joined thereto
15 A single idler link 72 may be pivotally joined at its inner end in a clevis attached to the lateral
16 middle of the foiward flap 58, with its outer end being pivotally joined to the middle of the drive link 74 as
17 shown in Figuie 4
18 The two louver 54,56 when deployed function to reverse the direction of the fan exhaust in the
19 bypass duct 46 The aft flap 60 is sized to block att flow of the fan bypass air 32 through the fan nozzle 48,
20 and instead deflect the bypass air radially outwardly through the flow tunnel 52
21 Correspondingly, the forward flap 58 is sized axially shorter than the aft flap 60 to prevent blocking
22 of the fan exhaust, while instead providing a scoop for more efficiently turning a portion of the fan exhaust
23 along the deployed forward louver 54
24 Pieferably, the forward louver 54 illustrated in Figure 3 is joined to the cantilevers 68 to forwardly
25 deploy radially outwardly, while the forward flap 58 is joined to the cantilevers to forwardly deploy radially
26 inwaid in counter-position with the forwaid louver for reverse turning the exhaust flow from the bypass duct
27 46 and thiough the flow tunnel 52 of the nacelle The forward louver 54 and forward flap 58 thusly have a
28 general V-shaped configuration when deployed to more efficiently turn the tan exhaust And, the deployed
29 aft flap 60 turns the remainder of the fan exhaust radially outwardly along the aft louver 56
30 In thiust reverse operation, the aft fairing 62 is hidden behind the aft louver 56 and provides no 3 1 tin ning function However, in the stowed position, the aft faiπng 62 covers the aft louver 56 and conforms
32 with the nacelle outei skin
33 Accordingly, the forward flap 58 is specifically configured for initially turning a portion of the fan
34 exhaust, whereas the att flap 60 defines a blocker door to reverse the remaining portion of the tan exhaust and
35 block flow through the fan outlet 44 Correspondingly, the forward and aft louvers 54,56 are deployed
36 radially outwaidly and inclined forwardly for maximizing efficiency of thrust reverse operation, with the two
37 louvers 54,56 being generally parallel with each other in the deployed position, while the aft flap 60 is also
38 generally parallel thereto since it is axially coextensive with the aft louver 56
Note in Figuie 3 that the pivot points for the forward and aft louvers 54,56 are near their aft ends, with the unison link 64 being slightly aft thereof so that the louvers may be driven radially outwardly from the outer skin 38 Correspondingly, the forward flap 58 is joined in the compartment near its aft end, with the idler link 72 being joined forwardly thereof The aft flap 60 is joined in the compartment near its forward end in common with the aft end of the aft louver 56, with the unison link 64 being joined thereto slightly aft of the common pivot point In this way, the common unison link 64 synchronizes rotary movement of the two louvers 54,56 and the two flaps 58,60 from the stowed position to the deployed position and back Drive loads are carried through the unison link 64 to pivot open and close the two louvers and the aft flap 60 And, drive loads are arned thiough the small drive link 74 and idler link 72 to open and close the forward flap 58 in coordinated movement with the louvei s and aft flap And, quite significantly, the integral construction of the aft flap 60 with the aft louver 56 develops the sell-stowing closing moment M from the pressure of the fan exhaust 32 acting upon the inner or forward facing surface of the aft flap when deployed This closing moment is in turn carried by the unison link 64 to assist in closing also the forward louver 54 and forward flap 58 notwithstanding the common actuator 66 During normal operation of the actuator 66, the louvers and flaps are driven open and closed by the actuation force developed therein, with the closing moment M nevertheless assisting in stowing the components However, in the event of any failure of the actuator 66 to develop sufficient retraction force dunng the stowing opeiation, the self-stowing moment M may be used to advantage to ensure complete stowing of the louvers and flaps The fan reveisei 36 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is preferably located within the aft end of the fan nacelle itself and fully contained therein slightly upstream of the fixed aiea fan nozzle 48 When deployed, as lllustiated in Figuie 3, the att flap 60 is suitably sized to reach the core cowl 20 and suitably block discharge of the fan exhaust through the tan nozzle for reversing thrust along the deployed louvers As shown in Figure 1, the louvers, flaps, and cooperating aft fairing are replicated in corresponding gangs aiound the circumference of the fan nacelle for providing thrust reverse operation around the circumference thereof The numbers of gangs may be selected as desired to substantially block coπesponding cucumferential portions of the fan nozzle 48 during thrust reverse operation Furthermore, since the corresponding flow tunnels 52 extend radially through the fan nacelle, each of the louvers, flaps, and aft fairings may have corresponding perimeter edges suitably sealed to each other and the outer and inner skins for reducing or preventing undesirable leakage of airflow through the fan reverser when stowed Various conventional perimeter or leaf seals may be used for this function and suitably incorporated in the tan reverser Yet further, a suitable latching or locking mechanism may be incorporated inside the several compaitments to lock shut the louvers and flaps in the stowed position and prevent inadvertent deployment theieof when not intended Any conventional latching mechanism may be used for this purpose The louvered fan thrust reverser disclosed above enjoys the various advantages listed in the
specifically identified objects described above. And, a particular advantage of the reverser is the self-stowing capability provided by the integral aft flap 60. While there have been described herein what are considered to be preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other modifications of the invention shall be apparent to those skilled in the ai t from the teachings herein, and it is, therefore, desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as tall within the true spirit and scope of the invention