Patent ID: 6045091
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: B64D,F02K

Abstract:
An aircraft thrust-reverser with improved impact strength, comprising:an annular structure (12) enclosing a gas turbine engine, said annular structure (12) including a fixed structure (20) and at least one displaceable structure (25);at least one aperture (22) in said fixed structure (20), said at least one aperture (22) being closeable by said at least one displaceable structure (25) in a closed position;at least one main locking system for keeping said at least one displaceable structure (25) in said closed position;at least one emergency locking system (35) for keeping said at least one displaceable structure (25) in said closed position, said emergency locking system (35) including a lock (36) rigidly affixed to one part (20, 25) of said annular structure (12) and a lock-interfacing means (43) rigidly joined to the other part (20, 25) of said annular structure (12), said lock (36) including a latch (38) which is pivotable by a hinge (39) connected to said one part (20, 25) of said annular structure (12) and which cooperates with said lock-interfacing means (43), said latch (38) having a free end including a hook (40) lying in a plane extending perpendicular to said hinge (39) of said latch (38), said hook (40) defining a hook opening (40a), said lock-interfacing means (43) being extendable through said hook opening (40a) when said latch (38) moves into a closed mode (38a) while said at least one displaceable structure (25) is also closed, said hook (40) partly enclosing said lock-interfacing means (43) when said latch (38) is in said closed mode (38a) while said at least one displaceable structure (25) is also closed, said emergency locking system (35) also including a drive-to-open actuator (48) arranged to drive said latch (38) to an open mode; andan elastic means (47) connected to said latch (38) of said emergency locking system (35), said elastic means (47) being arranged so as to continuously bias said latch (38) into said closed mode (38a) and to keep said latch (38) by said lock interfacing means (43) regardless of any direction in which said lock-interfacing means (43) moves in a plane perpendicular to said hinge (39) of said latch (38).