Coanda Thrust Director for Gas Turbine Exhaust Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engines face challenges in redirecting thrust away from the central axis, which is desirable in certain operational situations, such as during landing or take-off, and also in reducing the infrared signature and potential damage to surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a thrust director system comprising an arcuate momentum nozzle and an arcuate coanda nozzle, coupled with a round, annular manifold, which redirects discharge air by applying flow near the exhaust nozzle, allowing the air to exit perpendicular to the central axis, thereby redirecting thrust and utilizing the Coanda effect to influence airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If thrust is discharged along the central axis, then engine efficiency is maintained, but the ability to redirect thrust away from the central axis is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust system is segmented into multiple independent nozzle components (primary exhaust nozzle and secondary deflection nozzles) that can operate independently or in combination, enabling thrust redirection without redesigning the entire exhaust system
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary deflection nozzles are designed to be movable or adjustable, allowing the exhaust system to dynamically redirect thrust away from the central axis when needed while maintaining a simple fixed structure for normal operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If high velocity air is discharged tangential to create low pressure areas for deflection, then thrust vectoring is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coanda effect mechanism is merged with the existing exhaust nozzle structure, where the secondary deflection nozzles utilize the Coanda surface of the primary nozzle to achieve thrust vectoring without requiring completely separate deflection mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic principles by discharging high velocity air tangentially to create low pressure areas that deflect the exhaust gas stream, utilizing fluid dynamics rather than mechanical moving parts to achieve thrust vectoring
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively redirects thrust away from the central axis, providing enhanced control during landing or take-off, reducing infrared signature, and minimizing surface damage, while maintaining engine efficiency and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
an arcuate coanda nozzle configured to discharge flow generally parallel to and along the central axis where the coanda surface influences the discharge air to turn and exit the nozzle perpendicular to the central axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A gas turbine engine system (12) is disclosed herein. The gas turbine engine system includes an engine core (20) configured to discharge air through an exhaust nozzle (24) along a central axis (16) and a thrust director (22) arranged near the exhaust nozzle and configured to redirect the discharge air by applying flow to the discharge air near the exhaust nozzle.