S.S. White Flexible Rotary Shafts Activate Nexcelle’s Unique O-Duct Thrust Reverser Actuation System (TRAS) On Six COMAC C919 Prototype Certification Testing Jetliners

S.S. White Technologies, the leading supplier of flexible rotary shafts for the aerospace industry provide specifically designed shafts to transmit power to activate the Nexcelle O-Duct Thrust Reverser Actuation Systems (TRAS) on the CFM International LEAP- 1C engines powering the COMAC C919 jetliner.  The shafts deliver synchronized actuation power and are playing a key role in the successful and critical operation of the new unique LEAP-1C O-Duct TRAS during the COMAC C919’s certification testing. 

The Nexcelle advanced thrust reverser concept, uses a one-piece composite O-Duct to replace traditional thrust reverser’s two-piece “D” doors, and is deployed with new kinematics that transitions the entire O-Duct aftward to the reverse thrust position. In addition, an electrical thrust reverser actuation system (ETRAS) is incorporated – which was first introduced to commercial aviation on the Airbus A380 jet engine nacelles.

S.S. White provides a set of three flexible rotary shafts per nacelle that transfer electrically activated power to synchronize the O-Duct actuators that deploy the thrust reverser units on each engine upon landing.  These same flexible rotary shafts also help lock the TRAS systems to prevent any inadvertent engagement during flight.