Project description
Make way for a new generation of turbofan engines with more compact spaces
According to Newton’s third law of motion, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When you want an airplane to be thrusted forward, you expel exhaust gas to the rear. Conversely, reversing the direction of the exhaust gas slows the plane down. A thrust reverser enables shorter landing distances and reduces wear on the braking system. The EU-funded LiTRAS project is developing an electrical thrust reverser actuation system for the new generation of turbofan engines with more compact spaces. Based on modern linear motor technology, the direct coupling of the thrust reverser to the motor enables the elimination of mechanical transmission components such as belt and gear drives. This should decrease weight and space, minimise maintenance work and enhance reliability and lifetime for a significant increase in performance and decrease in overall system costs.
Objective
LiTRAS will develop a robust concept for an innovative Thrust Reverser Actuator System (TRAS) based on linear motor technologies that will allow further and deeper integration capability inside the pylon and nacelle structure and will greatly improve Thrust Reverser performances against the challenging Nacelle environment.
The LiTRAS concept will be compact, safe, reliable and easy to operate and will be able to withstand the harsh environmental conditions required.
In addition, LiTRAS concept will provide locking functionality (PLS, Primary Locking System) preventing from any inadvertent Thrust reverser deployment in Flight and a Mechanical Deployment Unit (MDU) for manual opening of the cowls for maintenance operations. The system will also incorporate a TRCU (Thrust Reverser Control Unit) concentrating the power supply, control and monitoring electronic hardware of the linear actuator.
The main objectives of the LiTRAS project are:
• Investigate linear motor technologies applied to a thrust reverser module of a short middle range UHBR engines with further and deeper integration capability inside the pylon and nacelle structure.
• Improve cost, weight, efficiency and maintainability of the Thrust Reverser Actuation System by developing a compact, reliable actuator based on a linear motor without mechanical transmission and directly integrated with the nacelle structure.
• Investigate on the possible solutions that could be given to extreme environmental conditions if required.
• Bring the technology to TRL4
• Contribute to the reduction of the development time of the future engine architectures by 10%, through the optimisation of system integration for the power plant systems
• Provide a friendly design that is easy to use but ensures a safe operation of the TRAS.
• Deliver an Aircraft qualification assessment and define the necessary steps to bring the technology from TRL4 to an aeronautical and certifiable equipment.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
20600 Eibar Guipuzcoa
Spain