A dragonfly abdomen imitated vector tilting nozzle and its working method

Abstract

The application discloses a vector tilting nozzle imitating a dragonfly abdomen and a working method thereof, and belongs to the field of aeroengines. The vector tilting nozzle comprises a driving box driving device (1), a vector tilting nozzle section (2), a variable cross-section nozzle section (3) and the driving device (1). The driving device (1) comprises a plurality of multi-wire driving mechanisms and a single-wire driving mechanism which are uniformly arranged in a circumferential direction and are respectively used for driving the vector tilting nozzle section to deform and the variable cross-section nozzle section to deform. The application has the characteristics of light weight, compact structure, high stealth and high mobility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aero-engines, and more particularly to a vector-tilting nozzle inspired by the abdomen of a dragonfly and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of modern aviation military technology and the continuous upgrading of advanced search and tracking systems and air defense weapons and equipment, the battlefield survival environment of fighter jets is becoming increasingly deteriorated. High stealth, high maneuverability, lightweight and structural integrability have become the core development requirements of future military aircraft, which puts forward multiple functional requirements for aero-engine nozzles, including thrust vectoring, area / section shape adjustment and full closure.

[0003] As a core terminal component of an aero-engine, the nozzle directly affects the engine's thrust performance and thrust-to-weight ratio, and is also a key part of the aircraft's rearward infrared and radar stealth capabilities. Among existing technologies, axisymmetric vectoring nozzles have excellent aerodynamic performance and are easy to implement thrust vectoring, but their motion mechanism is complex and cannot effectively shield high-temperature engine components, resulting in poor stealth performance; two-dimensional vectoring nozzles have better stealth performance and are easy to implement thrust vectoring, but their propulsion efficiency is low and they can only achieve pitch and deflection.

[0004] Traditional nozzles with vector tilting capabilities mostly employ rigid articulated mechanical structures, achieving vector tilting through a hinged hydraulic push rod. This results in problems such as large structural weight, complex actuation system, and easy leakage of high-temperature combustion gases, reducing engine efficiency. At the same time, existing nozzles cannot achieve synergistic optimization of aerodynamic performance and stealth performance, necessitating a new nozzle structure to address the aforementioned technical shortcomings. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To avoid the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention proposes a vector-tilting nozzle that mimics the abdomen of a dragonfly. By combining the bending principle of the dragonfly abdomen with rope drive to achieve tendon-driven characteristics, it solves the technical problems of existing nozzles, such as difficulty in achieving both vector tilting and lightweight design, poor sealing performance, complex actuation structure, and inability to adapt to multiple combat platforms. At the same time, it improves the nozzle's high mobility and high stealth performance.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A vector tilting nozzle, modeled after a dragonfly's abdomen, comprises, from front to back, a variable cross-section nozzle section, a vector tilting nozzle section, and a drive device. The vector tilting nozzle section includes several axially arranged vector bending units. Each vector bending unit consists of a pair of spacers, a spacer support, and a spacer connector located between the spacers, forming a continuously bending skeletal structure. Several bending beams are uniformly arranged circumferentially between adjacent vector bending units to achieve connection and bending support between adjacent units. The vector tilting nozzle section also includes an inner bellows and an outer nozzle seal. The bellows is fixed to the inner space of the spacer support (22) and spacer connector (23) of the vector bending unit and passes through the inner space of each spacer and bending beam, thus forming a continuously sealed flow channel inside the nozzle. The outer nozzle seal is fixed to the outside of the spacers to provide external protection for the bending beams.

[0007] The main body of the nozzle section adjustment component adopts a cross-grid skeleton structure that is continuously distributed circumferentially and repeatedly arranged axially, forming a support structure that can be coupled and deformed. At the same time, the overall structure is an axisymmetrically tapering type that is wider at the rear and narrower at the front. It is installed at the front end of the vector tilt nozzle section through a fixed end ring. The nozzle section adjustment component is fixed to the nozzle fixing plate. The Bowden tube is fixed on the nozzle section adjustment component and is set along the routing direction of the drive wire, which is used to guide and protect the drive wire. The inner nozzle seal is fixed to the inner wall of the nozzle fixing plate (28) to seal the nozzle flow channel. The outer nozzle seal is fixed to the outer wall of the nozzle fixing plate (28) to provide external protection for the nozzle section adjustment component and the Bowden tube. The driving device includes several multi-wire driving mechanisms and one single-wire driving mechanism evenly arranged circumferentially. Each multi-wire driving mechanism corresponds to one side of the vector tilt nozzle section, and the single-wire driving mechanism corresponds to the variable cross-section nozzle section. The multi-wire driving mechanism drives the vector tilt nozzle section to bend. The number of driving wires in the multi-wire driving mechanism corresponds to the number of vector bending units in the vector tilt nozzle section. Each driving wire is connected to its corresponding vector bending unit, and through traction displacement, the vector tilt nozzle section undergoes continuous bending deformation. In the pre-tensioned state, the driving wires also provide structural support to the vector tilt nozzle section to improve its bending stiffness and disturbance resistance. The single-wire driving mechanism drives the nozzle cross-section adjustment component to generate displacement to change the flow channel cross-section. The driving wire is arranged along the structural axial direction of the nozzle cross-section adjustment component and connected to the front section of the nozzle cross-section adjustment component. When tension is applied to the driving wire, the cross-grid skeleton structure undergoes a geometrical change, thereby achieving radial contraction with a reduced overall diameter. When the traction force is released, the structure returns to its initial unfolded state under the elastic action of the material.

[0008] The working method of the vector tilting nozzle that mimics the abdomen of a dragonfly is characterized by the following processes: the transmission path of vector tilting drive: the multi-filament drive mechanism generates traction displacement through the drive filament. Since the drive filament is connected to the corresponding vector bending unit, each vector bending unit of the vector tilting nozzle section generates continuous bending under traction to achieve deflection of the jet direction; the transmission path of nozzle cross-section adjustment: the single-filament drive mechanism generates traction displacement through the drive filament. The drive filament is guided by the Bowden tube and transmitted to the nozzle cross-section adjustment component. The nozzle cross-section adjustment component undergoes local radial contraction or return to its original position, thereby achieving continuous change of the effective cross-section of the nozzle flow channel.

[0009] Through the above structural design, this invention integrates the nozzle vector tilting function and the nozzle cross-section changing function into a single device. The vector tilting nozzle section is responsible for adjusting the jet flow direction, while the cross-section changing nozzle section is responsible for continuously changing the effective cross-section of the nozzle flow channel. Both are arranged sequentially along the jet flow direction and act through independent drive paths, allowing jet flow direction control and jet flow cross-section adjustment to be implemented independently or in tandem. Compared to nozzle structures with only single deflection or single cross-section changing capabilities, this invention improves the dimensionality of jet flow control, enhances adaptability to operating conditions, and facilitates refined control during propulsion, attitude control, or flow regulation processes.

[0010] Furthermore, the vector tilt nozzle section adopts a continuous skeleton structure formed by multiple vector bending units connected in series. Each vector bending unit can form continuous bending under the traction of the drive wire, rather than the discrete rotation of the traditional hinged structure. This reduces local stress concentration and improves the continuity and smoothness of the nozzle bending shape. The bending beam is used to connect and support adjacent vector bending units, which can improve the stress stability and deformation controllability of the nozzle during continuous deflection. The bellows forms a continuous sealed flow channel inside, and the outer nozzle seal provides protection for the exposed support and transmission components. Therefore, it takes into account the sealing performance of the internal flow channel, the adaptability to the external environment, and the reliability of the transmission.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the multi-screw drive mechanism is a multi-screw motor module unit, and the single-screw drive mechanism is a single-screw motor module unit. The multi-screw motor module unit includes a drive motor, a gear set, and several screw-nut mechanisms; the screw nut in each screw-nut mechanism is fixedly connected to a slide, and each slide is connected to a drive screw. The drive motor drives the screw in one of the screw-nut mechanisms to rotate, and through the gear set, drives the remaining screws to rotate synchronously, causing the corresponding slide to reciprocate along the screw axis, thereby causing the corresponding drive screw to generate traction displacement. The single-screw motor module unit includes a drive motor and a screw-nut mechanism. The screw nut in the screw-nut mechanism is fixedly connected to a slide, and the slide is connected to a drive screw. The drive motor drives the screw to rotate, causing the corresponding slide to reciprocate along the screw axis, thereby causing the drive screw to perform traction.

[0012] With the aforementioned drive structure, the multi-screw motor module unit can simultaneously provide stable and synchronous displacement output to multiple drive screws, thereby ensuring the consistency of drive on each side of the vector tilt nozzle section and improving the synchronization, repeatability, and positioning accuracy of nozzle deflection control. By linking multiple screws through gear sets, speed and displacement deviations between drive channels can be avoided, which is beneficial for improving the coordination and control stability during nozzle vector deflection. The single-screw motor module unit is used to provide independent drive for the variable cross-section nozzle section, enabling functional separation of nozzle flow channel cross-section adjustment and nozzle deflection actions. This makes the control logic clearer, the structural layout more compact, and facilitates subsequent maintenance and modular assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the dragonfly-inspired, vector-tilting nozzle of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the drive unit of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the vector tilt nozzle section of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the variable cross-section nozzle section of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the three-screw motor module of the present invention. The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Drive unit; 2. Vector tilt nozzle section; 3. Variable cross-section nozzle section; 4. Motor control module; 11. Drive box housing; 12. Multi-screw motor module unit; 13. Single-screw motor module unit; 14. Drive motor; 21. Spacer plate; 22. Spacer plate support; 23. Spacer plate connector; 24. Bending beam; 25. Outer nozzle seal; 26. Bellows; 27. Nozzle fixing plate; 28. Nozzle fixing plate; 31. Inner nozzle seal; 32. Outer nozzle seal; 33. Nozzle cross-section adjustment component; 34. Bowden tube; 121. Screw support; 122. Screw; 123. Pressure plate; 124. Slide table; 125. Screw nut; 126. Angular contact ball bearing; 127. Coupling; 128. Gear set; 129. Screw mounting box. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are used to explain the technical solutions of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art in terms of structural form, connection method, and component arrangement without departing from the concept of the present invention should all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0015] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a dragonfly-inspired vector tilt nozzle, comprising a drive unit 1, a vector tilt nozzle section 2, a variable cross-section nozzle section 3, and a motor control module 4. The vector tilt nozzle section 2 is located between the drive unit 1 and the variable cross-section nozzle section 3, and the three are sequentially connected along the nozzle axis to form an integrated structure. The motor control module 4 is used to control the actuator within the drive unit 1 to achieve vector tilt and nozzle cross-section adjustment.

[0016] like Figure 2 As shown, the drive unit 1 includes a drive housing 11, inside which a motor module and a transmission assembly are disposed. The motor module includes at least a multi-screw motor module unit 12 and a single-screw motor module unit 13. In this embodiment, the multi-screw motor module unit 12 drives the vector tilt nozzle section 2 to achieve vector tilting; the single-screw motor module unit 13 drives the variable cross-section nozzle section 3 to achieve nozzle flow channel cross-section adjustment. The motor control module 4 is electrically connected to the aforementioned motor modules and is used to control the vector tilting action and the cross-section adjustment action separately or in conjunction.

[0017] like Figure 3As shown, the vector tilt nozzle section 2 includes multiple vector bending units arranged along the axial direction. Each vector bending unit consists of a spacer disk 21, a spacer disk support 22, and a spacer disk connector 23, forming a continuously bendable skeleton structure. Bending beams 24 are provided between adjacent vector bending units to achieve connection and bending support between adjacent units, ensuring that the vector tilt nozzle section 2 maintains structural stability and stress consistency during bending.

[0018] Furthermore, the vector tilt nozzle section 2 also includes a bellows 26 and an outer nozzle seal 25. The bellows 26 is fixed to the inner wall of the vector bending unit to form a continuously sealed flow channel inside the nozzle; the outer nozzle seal 25 is fixed to the outside of the spacer 21 to provide external protection for the bending beam 24 and the drive wire.

[0019] In this embodiment, the drive wire runs along the outside of the spacer support 22. Specifically, one end of the drive wire inside the drive box drive device 1 is clamped and fixed to the slide table 124 by the wire clamping plate 123 of the motor module; the drive wire is introduced into the outside of the vector tilt nozzle section 2 by the drive box drive device 1, passes through specific holes in the spacer of each vector bending unit along the nozzle axis, and is finally anchored at the fixed structure at the end of the vector tilt nozzle section 2. Preferably, the anchoring position is set at the end fixed plate, so that the traction displacement of the drive wire can form a bending driving effect on the vector tilt nozzle section 2.

[0020] like Figure 4 As shown, the variable cross-section nozzle section 3 includes an inner nozzle seal 31, an outer nozzle seal 32, a nozzle cross-section adjusting component 33, and a Bowden tube 34. The inner nozzle seal 31 is fixed to the inner wall of the nozzle fixing plate 28 for sealing the nozzle flow channel; the outer nozzle seal 32 is fixed to the outer wall of the nozzle fixing plate 28 for protecting the nozzle cross-section adjusting component 33 and the Bowden tube 34. The nozzle cross-section adjusting component 33 is fixed to the central boss of the nozzle fixing plate 28 for changing the nozzle flow channel cross-section under driving action.

[0021] In this embodiment, the nozzle cross-section adjusting member 33 is a locally radially contracting adjusting structure. That is, under the traction of the drive wire, at least a portion of the nozzle cross-section adjusting member 33 contracts radially inward, thereby reducing the effective cross-section of the nozzle flow channel; under the return or reverse driving action of the drive wire, the nozzle cross-section adjusting member 33 recovers radially or expands outward, thereby increasing the effective cross-section of the nozzle flow channel. Through the above-mentioned locally radially contracting method, the nozzle flow channel cross-section can be continuously adjusted.

[0022] Bowden tube 34 is fixed to nozzle section adjustment component 33 to guide and protect the drive wire, ensuring stable wire routing and reducing wear during reciprocating traction. The traction displacement output by single screw motor module 13 is transmitted to nozzle section adjustment component 33 via drive wire, thereby achieving the aforementioned local radial contraction section adjustment.

[0023] like Figure 5 As shown, the multi-screw motor module unit 12 includes a screw support 121, a screw 122, a wire pressing plate 123, a slide table 124, a screw nut 125, an angular contact ball bearing 126, a coupling 127, a gear set 128, and a screw mounting box 129.

[0024] The lead screw support 121 supports and positions the end of the lead screw 122. An angular contact ball bearing 126 is located at or cooperates with the lead screw support 121 to bear the load during lead screw rotation and improve transmission stability. The lead screw 122 is installed in the lead screw mounting box 129 and rotates under the action of the drive motor 14. The slide table 124 is threadedly engaged with the lead screw 122 via a lead screw nut 125, allowing the slide table 124 to reciprocate along the lead screw axis. The pressure plate 123 is connected to the slide table 124 via fasteners to clamp and fix the drive wire, thereby converting the linear displacement of the slide table 124 into the traction displacement output of the drive wire.

[0025] The gear set 128 includes gears fixed on multiple lead screws 122, which mesh to form a synchronous transmission chain. Under the torque output by the drive motor 14, the multiple lead screws 122 can rotate synchronously, thereby enabling multiple drive screws to receive synchronous traction and improving the consistency and repeatability of vector tilt control. The coupling 127 is used to connect the output shaft of the drive motor 14 and the lead screws 122 to achieve torque transmission and compensate for certain assembly coaxiality errors.

[0026] In this embodiment, the vector tilt nozzle section 2 is mounted on the drive device 1 via the nozzle fixing plate 27, and the variable cross-section nozzle section 3 is fixed to the end of the vector tilt nozzle section 2 via the nozzle fixing plate 28.

[0027] The transmission path of the vector tilt drive is as follows: the multi-screw motor module unit 12 drives the slide table 124 to move back and forth → the drive wire held by the pressure plate 123 generates traction displacement → the drive wire runs along the vector tilt nozzle section 2 and is anchored at specific holes in the end fixing plate and the spacer plate → each vector bending unit of the vector tilt nozzle section 2 generates continuous bending under traction → realizing the deflection of the jet direction.

[0028] The transmission path of nozzle cross-section adjustment is as follows: the single screw motor module unit 13 outputs traction displacement → the drive wire is guided by the Bowden tube 34 and transmitted to the nozzle cross-section adjustment component 33 → the nozzle cross-section adjustment component 33 undergoes local radial contraction / return → the effective cross-section of the nozzle flow channel is continuously changed.

[0029] During operation, the motor control module 4 outputs control commands to the multi-screw motor module unit 12 and the single-screw motor module unit 13 according to the preset control strategy: when vector tilting is required, the control module 4 drives the multi-screw motor module unit 12 to move synchronously, so that multiple drive wires generate a predetermined traction displacement, thereby causing the vector tilting nozzle section 2 to form a target bending shape at multiple vector bending units and achieve the set vector deflection angle; when variable cross-section adjustment is required, the control module 4 drives the single-screw motor module unit 13 to pull the drive wire, which is guided by the Bowden tube 34 to drive the nozzle cross-section adjustment component 33 to locally radially contract, thereby reducing the flow channel cross-section; when reverse driving or returning to position, the flow channel cross-section increases; vector tilting and variable cross-section adjustment can be executed independently or in combination to achieve joint control of jet direction and flow / thrust matching.

[0030] The above embodiments are illustrative examples. This invention does not limit the specific implementation of the motor control module 4, which can be an embedded control board, a driver and host computer combined system, or other equivalent control units; it does not limit the number and arrangement of the drive motors 14; the number of vector bending units, the size and spacing of the spacers 21, the structural form of the bending beam 24, and the materials and thicknesses of the bellows 26 and seals 25 / 31 / 32 can all be adjusted according to different working conditions and lifespan requirements. As long as its overall concept satisfies the technical solution of this invention—"dual-module traction drive of the drive box—internal wiring and end anchoring of the drive wire—continuous vector tilting—local radial contraction variable cross-section adjustment—sealing and protection"—it should fall within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A vector-tilting nozzle that mimics the abdomen of a dragonfly, characterized in that: From front to back, it includes a variable cross-section nozzle section (3), a vector tilt nozzle section (2), and a drive device (1); The vector tilt nozzle section (2) includes several vector bending units arranged along the axial direction. Each vector bending unit consists of a pair of spacer discs (21) and spacer disc support members (22) and spacer disc connectors (23) located between the pair of spacer discs, thereby forming a skeleton structure that can be continuously bent. Several bending beams (24) are evenly arranged circumferentially between adjacent vector bending units to realize the connection and bending support of adjacent vector bending units. The vector tilt nozzle section (2) also includes an inner bellows (26) and an outer nozzle seal (25). The bellows (26) is fixed to the inner space of the spacer disc support members (22) and spacer disc connectors (23) of the vector bending unit, and passes through the inner space of the spacer discs (21) and bending beams (24) to form a continuously sealed flow channel inside the nozzle. The outer nozzle seal (25) is sealed and fixed to the outside of the spacer discs (21) to provide external protection for the bending beams (24). The variable cross-section nozzle section (3) includes a nozzle fixing plate (28), a nozzle cross-section adjusting component (33), an inner nozzle seal (31), an outer nozzle seal (32), and a Bowden tube (34). The main body of the nozzle section adjustment component (33) adopts a cross-grid skeleton structure that is continuously distributed along the circumference and repeatedly arranged along the axial direction, forming a support structure that can be coupled and deformed. At the same time, the overall structure is an axisymmetric tapering type that is wider at the rear and narrower at the front. It is installed at the front end of the vector tilt nozzle section (2) through a fixed end ring. The nozzle section adjustment component (33) is fixed to the nozzle fixing plate (28). The Bowden tube (34) is fixed on the nozzle section adjustment component (33) and set along the routing direction of the drive wire, which is used to guide and protect the drive wire. The inner nozzle seal (31) is fixed to the inner wall of the nozzle fixing plate (28) for sealing the nozzle flow channel. The outer nozzle seal (32) is fixed to the outer wall of the nozzle fixing plate (28) for external protection of the nozzle section adjustment component (33) and the Bowden tube (34). The aforementioned drive device (1) includes several multi-wire drive mechanisms and a single-wire drive mechanism evenly arranged along the circumference. Each multi-wire drive mechanism corresponds to one side of the vector tilt nozzle section (2), and the single-wire drive mechanism corresponds to the variable cross-section nozzle section (3). The multi-wire drive mechanism is used to drive the bending of the vector tilt nozzle section (2). The number of drive wires in each multi-wire drive mechanism corresponds to the number of vector bending units in the vector tilt nozzle section (2). The drive wires are connected to the corresponding vector bending units and the vector tilt nozzle section (2) is bent by traction displacement. The drive wires also provide structural support to the vector tilt nozzle section (2) in the pre-tightened state to improve its bending stiffness and anti-disturbance ability. The single-wire drive mechanism is used to drive the nozzle section adjustment component (33) to generate displacement to change the flow channel section. That is, the drive wire is arranged along the axial direction of the nozzle section adjustment component (33) structure and connected to the front section of the nozzle section adjustment component (33). When the drive wire applies tension, it drives the cross-grid skeleton structure to undergo geometric configuration changes, thereby achieving radial contraction with reduced overall diameter. When the traction force is released, the structure returns to the initial unfolded state under the elastic action of the material.

2. The vector-tilting nozzle resembling a dragonfly's abdomen according to claim 1, characterized in that: The above-mentioned multi-wire drive mechanism is a multi-screw motor module unit (12), and the single-wire drive mechanism is a single-screw motor module unit (13). The multi-screw motor module unit (12) includes a drive motor (14), a gear set (128), and several screw and nut mechanisms; the screw nut (125) of each screw and nut mechanism is fixed to a slide (124); each slide is connected to a drive screw; the drive motor (14) drives the screw (122) in one screw and nut mechanism to rotate, and drives the remaining screws (122) to rotate synchronously through the gear set (128), so that the corresponding slide (124) moves back and forth along the axial direction of the screw (122), driving the drive screw to pull; The single lead screw motor module unit (13) includes a drive motor and a lead screw nut mechanism; the lead screw nut of the lead screw nut mechanism is fixed to a slide table; the slide table is connected to a drive screw; the drive motor drives the lead screw to rotate so that the corresponding slide table moves back and forth along the lead screw axis, thereby driving the drive screw to pull.

3. The working method of the vector-tilting nozzle mimicking the abdomen of a dragonfly according to claim 1, characterized in that... Includes the following processes: The transmission path of vector tilt drive: The multi-wire drive mechanism generates traction displacement through the drive wire. Since the drive wire is connected to the corresponding vector bending unit, the vector tilt nozzle section (2) generates continuous bending under traction to achieve jet direction deflection. The transmission path of nozzle cross-section adjustment: The single-wire drive mechanism generates traction displacement through the drive wire. The drive wire is guided through the Bowden tube (34) and transmitted to the nozzle cross-section adjustment component (33). The nozzle cross-section adjustment component (33) undergoes local radial contraction or return to its original position, thereby realizing continuous change of the effective cross-section of the nozzle flow channel.

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