Jet Nozzle Area Control Using Inflatable Diaphragms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jet nozzle effective area adjustment mechanisms in gas turbine engines are bulky, heavy, and costly due to the use of multiple actuators, segmented panels, and mechanical arms, which increase the engine's size and weight.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft gas turbine engines employ inflatable diaphragms and hinged panels controlled by fluid pressure adjustments to adjust the effective area of the jet nozzle, reducing mechanical complexity and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators, segmented panels, and mechanical arms are used to adjust jet nozzle effective area, then the jet nozzle effective area can be adjusted, but the size, weight, and expense of the engine increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical actuation systems (actuators, mechanical arms, pivot joints) with an inflatable diaphragm system that uses fluid pressure to achieve the same function of adjusting jet nozzle effective area. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages and reduces overall system weight while maintaining the capability to vary nozzle area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an inflatable diaphragm system that uses fluid pressure (pneumatics) to control the deployment and retraction of panels that adjust the jet nozzle effective area. This pneumatic approach replaces heavy mechanical actuators with a lighter, more compact fluid pressure-based system that achieves the same adaptability function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators, segmented panels, and mechanical arms are used to adjust jet nozzle effective area, then the jet nozzle effective area can be adjusted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems with a simplified inflatable diaphragm system controlled by fluid pressure. This substitution eliminates multiple mechanical components (actuators, mechanical arms, pivot joints) and their associated linkages, significantly reducing device complexity while preserving the ability to adjust jet nozzle effective area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary mechanical intermediary components from the traditional actuation system. By eliminating mechanical arms, pivot joints, and multiple actuators, the design achieves jet nozzle area adjustment through a more direct and simpler inflatable diaphragm mechanism, reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actuators, segmented panels, and mechanical arms are used to adjust jet nozzle effective area, then the jet nozzle effective area can be adjusted, but the expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical actuation systems with a more cost-effective inflatable diaphragm system. By eliminating the need for multiple precision-machined mechanical components (actuators, mechanical arms, pivot joints), the design reduces manufacturing complexity and material costs while maintaining the required adaptability function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible inflatable diaphragms (thin films) instead of rigid mechanical components. These flexible membranes are generally less expensive to manufacture than precision mechanical parts, reducing overall system cost while providing the necessary function of controlling panel deployment to adjust jet nozzle effective area.
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
The solution provides a compact and efficient mechanism for adjusting the jet nozzle effective area, enhancing engine performance and efficiency by modulating the fluid pressure within inflatable diaphragms and hinged panels.
Implementation Method 1
increasing a fluid pressure in at least one inflatable diaphragm disposed at the jet nozzle
Implementation Method 2
at least one inflatable diaphragm may be configured to expand into the jet nozzle when the fluid pressure within the at least one inflatable diaphragm is increased
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
An aircraft gas turbine engine (200) includes a fan (205) that in operation moves air through both a core airflow path and a bypass airflow path of the gas turbine engine (200). The core airflow path and the bypass airflow path converge at a jet nozzle (210) of the gas turbine engine (200). A method of controlling the gas turbine engine (200) includes detecting, at a controller of the gas turbine engine (200), a cruise operating condition of the gas turbine engine (200), and in response to detecting the cruise operating condition, operating a mechanism of the gas turbine engine (200) to decrease an effective area of the jet nozzle (210).