Aircraft Vertical Stabilizer With Movable Engines for Thrust Vectoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft propulsion system arrangements lack flexibility and efficiency in thrust vectoring and maneuverability, particularly in high-thrust maneuvers and aircraft trim control.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft assembly featuring a vertical stabilizer with movably mounted turbine engines and an actuation system that allows for coordinated movement of multiple turbine engines relative to the stabilizer, enabling synchronized thrust vectoring and enhanced maneuverability through the use of horizontal stabilizers and actuation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If turbine engines are fixedly mounted to the aircraft body, then structural simplicity is maintained, but thrust vectoring capability and maneuverability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the turbine engines movable relative to the aircraft body through a complex mounting system involving vertical stabilizers, horizontal stabilizers, and actuation mechanisms. This allows the propulsion system to dynamically adjust thrust vectoring angles during flight, transforming from a static fixed mounting to a dynamic adjustable configuration that enhances maneuverability while managing structural complexity through distributed mounting components
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple turbine engines are independently mounted, then thrust vectoring flexibility is improved, but coordination control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple turbine engines by coupling them through shared vertical stabilizers and horizontal stabilizers. The actuation systems for both engines are integrated with these stabilizers, allowing coordinated movement and synchronized thrust vectoring. This merging approach enables flexible individual engine positioning while maintaining coordinated control through the shared stabilizer structures
3Adaptability or versatility
If turbine engines are moveably mounted with actuation systems, then maneuverability and trim control are enhanced, but structural complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the vertical stabilizers and horizontal stabilizers to serve multiple functions: they provide aerodynamic stability, support the movable turbine engines, and act as actuation linkages for thrust vectoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures, managing overall system complexity while achieving enhanced maneuverability and trim control capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly for an aircraft (20) includes a vertical stabilizer (30), a first turbine engine (25A; 104), a second turbine engine (25B; 104) and an actuation system (86). The vertical stabilizer (30) extends spanwise from a stabilizer base (68) to a stabilizer tip (58). The vertical stabilizer (30) extends longitudinally from a stabilizer leading edge (62) to a stabilizer trailing edge (64). The vertical stabilizer (30) extends laterally between a stabilizer first side (66A) and a stabilizer second side (66B). The first turbine engine (25A; 104) is movably mounted to the vertical stabilizer (30) at the stabilizer first side (66A). The second turbine engine (25B; 104) is moveably mounted to the vertical stabilizer (30) at the stabilizer second side (66B). The actuation system (86) is configured to move the first turbine engine (25A; 104) and the second turbine engine (25B; 104) relative to the vertical stabilizer (30).