There’s a few different ways depending on the thrust reverser in question.
The first two kinds are similar which are a clamshell style and bucket style thrust reverser.
They essentially have a moveable section of the rear engine cowling which can be simply hinged or extended and rotated to come together. This creates an angled backplate behind the engine exhausts which redirects the flow forward providing reverse thrust.
The other kind is more common in the high bypass turbofan engines that are used on larger commercial airliners.
These engines have a jet engine core which powers a larger diameter fan at the front of the engine. When the thrust reverser is engaged the outer engine cowling opens and a series of doors closes off the fan’s bypass airflow. The doors prevent rearward flow so all the thrust from the fan is forced forward through the new opening around the cowling and directed forward providing reverse thrust.
The last kind is for turboprop airplanes.
The blades are able to be rotated through a wide range on the propellor hub so although the engine is turning it the same direction the blades are reversed and directing their thrust forward instead of rearward.
So when an airplane is comes over the runway to land the throttle(s) are brought to idle and the nose is flared up to arrest the descent and touch down more gently. After which spoilers and reverse thrust may be engaged and the engine throttles up a bit for the thrust to take effect. After a the aircraft has slowed enough the throttle(s) is brought back to the idle range and the reverse thrusters are stowed.
Author – Tyler Monson
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