Fluidic Thrust Vectoring via Movable Cover Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current exhaust nozzle systems for jet engines require complex mechanisms and tubing for directing exhaust gas, which complicates aircraft maneuverability, especially for yaw axis movement, and lacks efficient and flexible fluidic vectoring control with quick response times.
Innovation Solution
An exhaust nozzle assembly with a movable cover plate that adjusts the injection of cooling air into the exhaust passage through vector openings, maintaining a constant flow area, allowing for thrust vectoring without complex piping, and utilizing an actuator arm for rapid movement of the cover plate to redirect the exhaust gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If movement of the exhaust nozzle is used to direct exhaust gas, then thrust vectoring is achieved, but complicated mechanisms and control systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical movement of the entire exhaust nozzle with a fluidic control system. A deflection plate is positioned within the exhaust passage to redirect cooling air flow, which in turn deflects the main exhaust jet. This fluidic deflection mechanism substitutes for complex mechanical nozzle movement systems while achieving the same thrust vectoring effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling air as an intermediary substance to achieve thrust vectoring. Instead of directly moving the exhaust nozzle or exhaust gases, cooling air is injected through vector openings in the exhaust passage to create a deflection force. This intermediary fluid mediates between the control system and the exhaust flow, enabling indirect but effective thrust direction control.
2Ease of operation
If high-pressure bleed air is directed along different points of the exhaust nozzle to direct exhaust gas, then thrust vectoring is achieved, but complicated tubing and channeling are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cooling air system multi-functional by using it for both its primary purpose (cooling the exhaust nozzle) and thrust vectoring control. The same cooling air that flows through the exhaust passage is redirected through vector openings to control exhaust direction. This eliminates the need for separate tubing and channeling systems dedicated solely to thrust vectoring, as the cooling air infrastructure serves dual purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cooling air delivery system with the thrust vectoring control system. Instead of having separate systems for cooling and thrust direction control, the exhaust passage structure integrates both functions. The vector openings are formed directly in the exhaust passage, combining the cooling air flow path with the thrust vectoring actuation mechanism, thereby eliminating complicated separate tubing and channeling.
3Ease of operation
If a movable cover is used to block cooling air flow for fluidic vectoring, then thrust vectoring is achieved, but the flow area may vary over the range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the vector openings at specific locations on the cover and using plate openings that selectively block only certain portions of the cooling air flow. The cover is designed with specific opening patterns and positions that maintain consistent total flow area while directing flow to different vectoring locations. This localized control approach ensures that blocking flow to one vector opening does not significantly affect the total flow area available.
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 provides efficient and flexible thrust vectoring without complex piping, enhancing aircraft maneuverability by redirecting the exhaust gas with quick response times, maintaining consistent performance across various operating parameters.
Implementation Method 1
a cover movable for blocking a portion of the flow of cooling air from the airflow passage into the exhaust passage
Implementation Method 2
The layer of cooling air thermally insulates the surface of the exhaust nozzle from the exhaust gas
Implementation Method 3
injecting the cooling air into a primary stream of the exhaust nozzle, and adjusting a position of the injecting with respect to the primary stream
Data Source
AI summary
An exhaust nozzle assembly provides fluidic thrust vectoring of the primary stream to enhance aircraft maneuverability. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes a cooling air passage that supplies cooling air. A vector opening injects cooling airflow into the exhaust passage to the primary stream. A cover plate is movable to partially block the vector openings and adjust the location of injection of the cooling airflow into the exhaust passage.