Thrust reverser for a turbofan engine

1. A thrust reverser comprising:

a translating structure constructed and arranged to move between first and second positions;

a blocker door pivotally engaged to the translating structure for pivotal movement between a first state when the translating structure is in the first position and a second state when the translating structure is in the second position;

a stationary structure;

a telescoping push rod engaged pivotally to and extending between the stationary structure and the blocker door for telescopic movement between retracted and extended conditions when the blocker door moves between the respective first and second states, wherein the telescoping push rod has a biasing member for biasing the telescoping push rod toward the extended condition, wherein the telescoping push rod is in the extended condition when the blocker door is in the second state, wherein the push rod includes a stop preventing further extension of the push rod; and

a linkage orientated between the stationary structure and the blocker door;

wherein the blocker door has an intermediate state orientated between the first and second states and the telescoping push rod is in the extended condition when the blocker door pivots between the intermediate state and the second state, and the telescoping push rod is in the retracted condition when the blocker door is in the first state and is extending from the retracted condition and into the extended condition when the blocker door is pivoting from the respective first state and into the intermediate state, and wherein the biasing member exerts a biasing force against the stop when the telescoping push rod is in the extended condition and exerts a component of the biasing force upon the linkage when the blocker door is at or between the first state and the intermediate state.

2. The thrust reverser set forth in claim 1 , wherein the telescoping push rod includes first and second arms co-extending along a centerline and in sliding engagement with one another, and a first pivotal joint engaged to the stationary structure and the first arm and a second pivotal joint engaged to the blocker door and the second arm, and wherein the biasing member is a coiled spring compressed between an axial face carried by the first arm and an opposed axial face carried by the second arm.

3. A blocker door device for a thrust reverser having a translating structure, the blocker door device comprising:

a stationary structure;

a blocker door pivotally engaged to the translating structure;

a passive linkage orientated between the stationary structure and the blocker door; and

an extendable linkage engaged between the stationary structure and the blocker door, the extendable linkage extendable between a retracted condition and an extended condition;

wherein the blocker door pivots between a stowed state and a deployed state, and when in the stowed state the extendable linkage is in the retracted condition, and when in the deployed state the extendable linkage is in the extended condition;

wherein the extendable linkage is pivotally engaged between the stationary structure and the blocker door;

wherein the blocker door has a first surface and a second surface that is opposite the first surface, the extendable linkage is orientated between the stationary structure and the first surface, and the passive linkage is orientated between the stationary structure and the second surface;

wherein the extendable linkage is a telescoping push rod projecting outward from the first surface and the passive linkage has an arm rigidly engaged to and projecting outward from the second surface and to a distal head for contact upon the stationary structure;

wherein the extendable linkage has a resilient biasing member for biasing the extendable linkage from the retracted condition and toward the extended condition; and

wherein when in the stowed state the distal head is in contact with the stationary structure, and when in the deployed state the distal head is spaced from the stationary structure.

4. The thrust reverser of claim 1 , further comprising a cascade of turning vanes configured to be between the translating structure and the stationary structure when the blocker door is in the second state.

5. The thrust reverser of claim 1 , wherein the thrust reverser is configured for an aircraft propulsion system, and a surface of the blocker door is configured to form a radial outer peripheral portion of a flowpath within the aircraft propulsion system when the blocker door is in the first position.

6. A thrust reverser for an aircraft propulsion system comprising:

a translating structure translatable between first and second positions;

a blocker door pivotally mounted to the translating structure and configured to pivot between a first state when the translating structure is in the first position and a second state when the translating structure is in the second position, the blocker door further configured to form a peripheral portion of a bypass flowpath within the aircraft propulsion system when the blocker door is in the first position;

a stationary structure;

a telescoping push rod engaged pivotally to and extending between the stationary structure and the blocker door for telescopic movement between first and second conditions when the blocker door moves between the respective first and second states; and

a linkage orientated between the stationary structure and the blocker door, wherein the linkage is connected to and projecting outward from a first side of the blocker door and the telescoping push rod is connected to and projecting outward from a second side of the blocker door that is opposite the first side of the blocker door, wherein the linkage engages a member of the stationary structure when the blocker door is in the first state, and wherein the linkage is disengaged from the member of the stationary structure when the blocker door is in the second state.

7. The thrust reverser of claim 6 , wherein the first condition is a retracted condition and the second condition is an extended condition, and wherein the first state is a stowed state and the second state is a deployed state.

8. The thrust reverser of claim 6 , wherein a surface of the blocker door defines a recess extending along the blocker door, and the recess is adapted to receive the telescoping push rod for storage when the blocker door is in the first state and when the telescoping push rod is in the first condition.

9. The blocker door device set forth in claim 3 , wherein the first surface defines a recess extending along the blocker door, and the recess is adapted to receive the extendable linkage for storage when the blocker door is in the stowed state and when the extendable linkage is in the retracted condition.

10. The blocker door device set forth in claim 1 , wherein a surface of the blocker door defines a recess extending along the blocker door, and the recess is adapted to receive the telescoping push rod for storage when the blocker door is in the first state and when the telescoping push rod is in the retracted condition.