FRENCH aerostructures company Hurel-Dubois is developing a new thrust-reverser concept which it claims will be cheaper, lighter and more reliable than existing systems. The system, called the Papillion, incorporates technology used in the company's earlier pivoting-door thrust-reverser designs in a blueprint requiring fewer components. The design is aimed at underwing-mounted engines, and reverses the flow of bypass air.
The manufacturer says that the Papillon is a hybrid of earlier petal-type reversers and two-door target-type reverser, which act on the total flow.
It consists of two doors rotating on fixed pivots mounted in the side walls of the engine nacelle. When opened, the doors' aft section blocks the bypass flow, while the forward sections redirect the resultant flow.
The design reduces the risk of inadvertent deployment in flight to a negligible figure, says the company. It also meets all current and anticipated lightning strike, damage-tolerance and fire-protection regulations.
Source: Flight International
