THRUST REVERSAL

SYSTEMS
On wet, icy or snow covered runways this efficiency may be reduced
by the loss of adhesion between the aircraft tyres and the runway
thus creating a need for an additional method of bringing the
aircraft to rest within the required distance.
 A simple and effective way to reduce the aircraft landing
run on both dry and slippery runways is to reverse the
direction of the exhaust gas stream, thus using engine
power as a deceleration force.

 On high by-pass ratio (fan) engines, reverse thrust

action is achieved by reversing the fan (cold stream)
airflow.

 Ideally, the gas should be directed in a completely

forward direction. It is not possible, however, to achieve
this, mainly for aerodynamic reasons, and a discharge
angle of approximately 45 degrees is chosen.
 Types Of Thrust Reversal Systems
• Clamshell door system
• Bucket target system
• Cold stream reverser system
• Turbo-propeller reverse pitch system
 PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
• Clamshell door system
The clamshell door system is a pneumatically operated
system, Normal engine operation is not affected by the
system, because the ducts through which the exhaust gases
are deflected remain closed by the doors until reverse thrust
is selected by the pilot.

On the selection of reverse thrust, the doors rotate to

uncover the ducts and close the normal gas stream exit.
Cascade vanes then direct the gas stream in a forward
direction so that the jet thrust opposes the aircraft motion.
 PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
• Bucket target system
The bucket target system is hydraulically actuated and uses
bucket-type doors to reverse the hot gas stream. The thrust
reverser doors are actuated by means of a conventional
pushrod system.

The reverser doors are kept in synchronization through the

drive idler. The hydraulic actuator incorporates a
mechanical lock in the stowed (actuator extended) position.

In the forward thrust mode (stowed) the thrust reverser

doors form the convergent-divergent final nozzle for the
engine.
 PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
• Cold stream reverser system
The cold stream reverser system can be actuated by an air
motor, the output of which is converted to mechanical
movement by a series of flexible drives, gearboxes and
screw jacks, or by a system incorporating hydraulic rams.

On selection of reverse thrust, the actuation system moves

the translating cowl rearwards and at the same time folds
the blocker doors to blank off the cold stream final nozzle,
thus diverting the airflow through the cascade vanes.
 PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
• Turbo-propeller reverse pitch system
Reverse thrust action is affected on turbo-propeller powered
aircraft by changing the pitch of the propeller blades
through a hydro-mechanical pitch control system