Nexcell O-Duct Is New Technology That Will Replace Thrust Reverser 'D' Doors

The first O-Duct nacelle to equip CFM International’s LEAP-1C engines for the COMAC C919 jetliner have been delivered to an engine assembly facility by Nexcelle, the joint venture of Aircelle (Safran) and GE Aviation’s Middle River Aircraft Systems.

Developed and manufactured by Aircelle, the O-Duct marks a milestone in Nexcelle’s production hardware deliveries, and is to be used along with other nacelle components for the engine's test flights.
 
“Innovation is an important element in Nexcelle’s development of new engine nacelles, and the O-Duct is an example of how our approach to more integrated propulsion systems will benefit aircraft manufacturers and airline operators,” said Nexcelle President Michel Abella.

The one-piece composite O-Duct delivered by Nexcelle is a technology breakthrough in nacelle design for integrated propulsion systems, replacing a traditional thrust reverser’s two-piece “D” doors. When deployed, the O-Duct moves aftward to the reverse thrust position, eliminating drag links in the engine’s secondary flow-path, enhancing the airflow path and improving fuel consumption, while also increasing thrust reverser efficiency.
 
A key feature of the O-Duct is its single-piece, 330-deg. carbon composite inner skin, which is produced at Aircelle’s Le Havre, France manufacturing facility using an innovative molding process employed for the first time on this program. The milestone no. 1 O-Duct is now at GE Aviation’s Peebles, Ohio facility, for built-up with the other nacelle components prior to installation on the CFM flight test aircraft.

Nexcelle has also delivered the first LEAP-1C air inlet from Middle River. The hardware has been installed on a LEAP development engine currently undergoing tests.
 
Aircelle and Middle River Aircraft Systems will be building the equivalent of 18 initial nacelle shipsets, to be used as complete nacelles for flight testing, and as separate components in such applications as ground-based icing and crosswind testing.

(Image provided by Nexcelle)

FMI: www.nexcelle.com