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A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine having an air duct defined radially inwardly by a wall around the turbofan engine and radially outwardly in part by a fan cowl of the engine. A bulkhead is adapted to be mounted on the fan cowl having a shaped surface defining an upstream wall. A translating c

A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine having an air duct defined radially inwardly by a wall around the turbofan engine and radially outwardly in part by a fan cowl of the engine. A bulkhead is adapted to be mounted on the fan cowl having a shaped surface defining an upstream wall. A translating cowl is supported for movement axially between a closed position substantially adjacent the bulkhead and an open position spaced axially apart from the bulkhead so as to form an outlet for discharge of air from the air duct. The translating cowl has a first wall and a kicker plate defining a shaped surface. The kicker plate and/or the bulkhead may have a dimension which varies at different radial locations about a circumference of the translating cowl to selectively control the forward component of velocity of the air discharged from the air duct. A plume control device may extend longitudinally across the outlet to divide the air discharged from the air duct into a plurality of plumes. A vane spaced axially aft from the bulkhead has an airfoil section to guide air to the outlet in order to control turning and area match when the translating cowl is in the deployed position.

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1. A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine having an air duct defined radially inwardly by a wall around the turbofan engine and radially outwardly in part by a fan cowl of the turbofan engine, comprising:(a) a bulkhead adapted to be mounted on the fan cowl having a first wall defining a shaped surf

1. A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine having an air duct defined radially inwardly by a wall around the turbofan engine and radially outwardly in part by a fan cowl of the turbofan engine, comprising:(a) a bulkhead adapted to be mounted on the fan cowl having a first wall defining a shaped surface, and a ramp portion located between a nose portion and the outer surface of the bulkhead; (b) a translating cowl having a second wall defining a shaped surface, the translating cowl supported for movement axially between a closed position substantially adjacent the bulkhead and an open position spaced axially apart from the bulkhead so as to form an outlet for discharge of air from the air duct, the air discharged from the air duct having a component of velocity in a forward direction wherein the area between the ramp portion of the bulkhead and the leading edge of the translating cowl is characterized by the absence of a cascade of flow turning vanes to turn air discharged from the air duct in a forward direction; and (c) a plume control device extending longitudinally across said outlet and partially circumferentially about the thrust reverser to divide the air discharged from the air duct into a plurality of plumes. 2. The thrust reverser of claim 1, wherein the plume control device defines side walls having a shaped configuration to divert the plumes to a predefined direction.3. The thrust reverser of claim 2, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes to a predefined direction.4. The thrust reverser of claim 3, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes at least partially in a radial direction perpendicular to the forward direction.5. The thrust reverser of claim 3, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes at least partially in the forward direction.6. The thrust reverser of claim 1, wherein the wall of the turbofan engine and the translating cowl cooperate to substantially block air from passing through an aft portion of the air duct when the translating cowl is in the open position.7. The thrust reverser of claim 1, further comprising:a plurality of blocker doors pivotably attached to one of the translating cowl and an engine core cowl to substantially block air from passing through an aft portion of the air duct when the translating cowl is in the open position. 8. The thrust reverser of claim 7, further comprising a fixed aft fan cowl section, and wherein the translating cowl has an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion configured to partially surround the fixed aft fan cowl section when the translating cowl is in the open configuration.9. The thrust reverser of claim 8, wherein the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion are configured for relative radial movement with respect to one another, between a configuration in which the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion are closely spaced when the translating cowl is in the closed position and a spaced-apart configuration to surround the fixed aft fan cowl section when the translating cowl is in the open position.10. A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine having an air duct defined radially inwardly by a wall around the turbofan turbine engine and radially outwardly in part by a fan cowl of the engine, comprising:(a) a bulkhead adapted to be mounted on the fan cowl having a first wall defining a shaped surface and a ramp portion located between a nose portion and the outer surface of the bulkhead, wherein the area between the ramp portion of the bulkhead and the leading edge of the translating cowl is characterized by the absence of a cascade of flow turning vanes to turn air discharged from the air duct in a forward direction; and (b) a translating cowl having a second wall and a kicker plate defining a shaped surface, the translating cowl supported for movement axially between a closed position substantially adjacent the bulkhead and an open position spaced axially apart from the bulkhead so as to form an outlet for discharge of air from the air duct, the air discharged from the air duct having a component of velocity in a forward direction, the kicker plate having a dimension which varies at different radial locations about a circumference of the translating cowl to selectively control a forward component of velocity of the air discharged from the air duct. 11. The thrust reverser of claim 10, further comprising a plume control device extending longitudinally across said outlet and partially circumferentially about the thrust reverser to divide the air discharged from the air duct into a plurality of plumes.12. The thrust reverser of claim 11, wherein the plume control device defines side walls having a shaped configuration to divert the plumes to a predefined direction.13. The thrust reverser of claim 11, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes to a predefined direction.14. The thrust reverser of claim 13, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes at least partially in a radial direction perpendicular to the forward direction.15. The thrust reverser of claim 13, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes at least partially in the forward direction.16. The thrust reverser of claim 10, wherein the wall of the turbofan engine and the translating cowl cooperate to substantially block air from passing through an aft portion of the air duct when the translating cowl is in the open position.17. The thrust reverser of claim 10, further comprising:a plurality of blocker doors pivotably attached to one of the translating cowl and an engine core cowl to substantially block air from passing through an aft portion of the air duct when the translating cowl is in the open position. 18. The thrust reverser of claim 17, further comprising a fixed aft fan cowl section, and wherein the translating cowl has an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion configured to partially surround the fixed aft fan cowl section when the translating cowl is in the open configuration.19. The thrust reverser of claim 18, wherein the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion are configured for relative radial movement with respect to one another, between a configuration in which the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion are closely spaced when the translating cowl is in the closed position and a spaced-apart configuration to surround the fixed aft fan cowl section when the translating cowl is in the open position.20. A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine having an air duct defined radially inwardly by a wall around the turbofan turbine engine and radially outwardly in part by a fan cowl of the engine, comprising:(a) a bulkhead adapted to be mounted on the fan cowl having a ramp portion located between a nose portion and the outer surface of the bulkhead, a first wall defining a shaped surface, the shaped surface having a dimension which varies at different radial locations about a circumference of the bulkhead to selectively control a forward component of velocity of the air discharged from the air duct; and (b) a translating cowl having a second wall and a kicker plate defining a shaped surface, the translating cowl supported for movement axially between a closed position substantially adjacent the bulkhead and an open position spaced axially apart from the bulkhead so as to form an outlet for discharge of air from the air duct, the air discharged from the air duct having a forward component of velocity, wherein the area between the ramp portion of the bulkhead and the leading edge of the translating cowl is characterized by the absence of a cascade of flow turning vanes to turn air discharged from the air duct in a forward direction. 21. The thrust reverser of claim 20, further comprising a plume control device extending longitudinally across said outlet and partially circumferentially about the thrust reverser to divide the air discharged from the air duct into a plurality of plumes.22. The thrust reverser of claim 21, wherein the plume control device defines side walls having a shaped configuration to divert the plumes to a predefined direction.23. The thrust reverser of claim 21, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes to a predefined direction.24. The thrust reverser of claim 23, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes at least partially in a radial direction perpendicular to the forward direction.25. The thrust reverser of claim 23, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes at least partially in the forward direction.26. The thrust reverser of claim 20, wherein the wall of the turbofan engine and the translating cowl cooperate to substantially block air from passing through an aft portion of the air duct when the translating cowl is in the open position.27. The thrust reverser of claim 20, further comprising:a plurality of blocker doors pivotably attached to one of the translating cowl and an engine core cowl to substantially block air from passing through an aft portion of the air duct when the translating cowl is in the open position. 28. The thrust reverser of claim 27, further comprising a fixed aft fan cowl section, and wherein the translating cowl has an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion configured to partially surround the fixed aft fan cowl section when the translating cowl is in the open configuration.29. The thrust reverser of claim 28, wherein the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion are configured for relative radial movement with respect to one another, between a configuration in which the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion are closely spaced when the translating cowl is in the closed position and a spaced-apart configuration to surround the fixed aft fan cowl section when the translating cowl is in the open position.30. A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine having an air duct defined radially inwardly by a wall around the turbofan engine and radially outwardly in part by a fan cowl of the turbofan engine, comprising:(a) a bulkhead adapted to be mounted on the fan cowl having a first wall defining a shaped surface, and a ramp portion located between a nose portion and the outer surface of the bulkhead; (b) a translating cowl having a second wall defining a shaped surface, the translating cowl supported for movement axially between a closed position substantially adjacent the bulkhead and an open position spaced axially apart from the bulkhead so as to form an outlet for discharge of air from the air duct, the air discharged from the air duct having a component of velocity in a forward direction, wherein the translating cowl has leading edges which cooperate with and are in proximity to corresponding edges of the bulkhead and the area between the ramp portion of the bulkhead and the leading edge of the translating cowl is characterized by the absence of a cascade of flow turning vanes to turn air discharged from the air duct in a forward direction; and (c) a vane element spaced axially apart from the first wall of the bulkhead in an aft direction, and having an airfoil section to guide air to the outlet when the translating cowl is in the open position, the vane element supported to the bulkhead by a plurality of supports configured to divert the air to a predefined direction. 31. The thrust reverser of claim 30, wherein the vane element has a substantially ring-shaped configuration.32. The thrust reverser of claim 30, further comprising a plume control device extending longitudinally across said outlet and partially circumferentially about the thrust reverser to divide the air discharged from the air duct into a plurality of plumes.33. The thrust reverser of claim 32, wherein the plume control device defines side walls having a shaped configuration to divert the plumes to a predefined direction.34. The thrust reverser of claim 32, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes to a predefined direction.35. The thrust reverser of claim 34, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes at least partially in a radial direction perpendicular to the forward direction.36. The thrust reverse of claim 34, wherein the plume control device is configured to divert the plumes at least partially in the forward direction.37. The thrust reverser of claim 30, wherein the wall of the turbofan engine and the translating cowl cooperate to substantially block air from passing through an aft portion of the air duct when the translating cowl is in the open position.38. The thrust reverser of claim 30, further comprising:a plurality of blocker doors pivotably attached to one of the translating cowl and an engine core cowl to substantially block air from passing through an aft portion of the air duct when the translating cowl is in the open position. 39. The thrust reverser of claim 38, further comprising a fixed aft fan cowl section, and wherein the translating cowl has an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion configured to partially surround the fixed aft fan cowl section when the translating cowl is in the open configuration.40. The thrust reverser of claim 39, wherein the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion are configured for relative radial movement with respect to one another, between a configuration in which the outer wall portion and the inner wall portion are closely spaced when the translating cowl is in the closed position and a spaced-apart configuration to surround the fixed aft fan cowl section when the translating cowl is in the open position.41. A thrust reverser for a turbofan engine having an air duct defined radially inwardly by a wall around the turbofan engine and radially outwardly in part by a fan cowl of the turbofan engine, comprising:(a) a bulkhead adapted to be mounted on the fan cowl having a first wall defining a shaped surface, and a ramp portion located between a nose portion and the outer surface of the bulkhead; (b) a translating cowl having a second wall defining a shaped surface, the translating cowl supported for movement axially between a closed position substantially adjacent the bulkhead and an open position spaced axially apart from the bulkhead so as to form an outlet for discharge of air from the air duct, the air discharged from the air duct having a component of velocity in a forward direction, wherein the area between the ramp portion of the bulkhead and the leading edge of the translation cowl is characterized by the absence of a cascade of flow turning vanes to turn air discharged from the air duct in a forward direction; and (c) a plurality of plume control devices extending longitudinally across said outlet and partially circumferentially about the thrust reverser to divide the air discharged from the air duct into a plurality of plumes, wherein the plume control devices have walls integral to the ramp portion, the walls are shaped to direct the plumes radially to a predefined direction, and a portion of air flow emerging from the thrust reverser passes around the plume control devices and is diverted into a plume exiting the thrust reverser.