Variable Geometry Nozzle Petal Gap Elimination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thrust vectoring nozzles suffer from petal gaps during movement, leading to increased cooling air requirements, reduced performance, and inefficiencies due to uneven petal distribution, while three-bearing swivel nozzles lack area modulation and limited axis vectoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A variable geometry exhaust nozzle arrangement featuring hingeable petals with an annular ring slidably engaging with actuator assemblies, allowing longitudinal and lateral translation of the ring to adjust nozzle area and vector thrust without gimballing, eliminating petal gaps and enabling efficient thrust vectoring in multiple axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional petal type vectorable exhaust nozzles are used, then thrust vectoring capability is provided, but gaps form between petals during movement leading to increased cooling air requirements and reduced performance
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple petals that can independently pivot relative to each other. Each petal is a separate segment that can be positioned independently to maintain closure and eliminate gaps while enabling thrust vectoring through differential positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle employs dynamic pivoting mechanisms that allow each petal to rotate and adjust its position in real-time. This dynamic capability enables the petals to maintain optimal positioning during vectoring operations, preventing gap formation while preserving thrust vectoring adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional petal type vectorable exhaust nozzles are used, then thrust vectoring capability is provided, but gaps form between petals during movement leading to greater nozzle losses and reduced effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple petals that can independently pivot relative to each other. Each petal is a separate segment that can be positioned independently to maintain closure and eliminate gaps while enabling thrust vectoring through differential positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle employs dynamic pivoting mechanisms that allow each petal to rotate and adjust its position in real-time. This dynamic capability enables the petals to maintain optimal positioning during vectoring operations, preventing gap formation and preserving nozzle effectiveness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If three-bearing swivel nozzles are used, then exhaust vectoring is provided, but separate provision must be made for exhaust nozzle area modulation and vectoring is limited to one axis
Solution Approach 1:
The petal pivoting mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables thrust vectoring through differential petal positioning and controls exhaust nozzle area through collective petal positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate area modulation systems while providing two-axis vectoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the thrust vectoring function and area modulation function into a single integrated petal pivoting system. By controlling the pivoting of petals in different patterns, both vectoring and area control are achieved through the same mechanical structure, reducing overall system complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional vectorable designs are used, then thrust vectoring is provided, but significant petal gaps form requiring additional links to reduce the effect
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple petals that can independently pivot relative to each other. Each petal is a separate segment that can be positioned independently to maintain closure and eliminate gaps while enabling thrust vectoring through differential positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle employs dynamic pivoting mechanisms that allow each petal to rotate and adjust its position in real-time. This dynamic capability enables the petals to maintain optimal positioning during vectoring operations, preventing gap formation without requiring additional linkage structures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A variable geometry exhaust nozzle arrangement (20) comprises a plurality of hingeable exhaust petals (22) defining a perimeter of an exhaust duct (21) and an annular ring (24) slidably engagable against a radially outer surface of each petal (22). The annular ring is coupled to a plurality of circumferentially spaced actuator arrangements (32), each comprising first and second circumferentially spaced parallel actuator arms (34, 36) pivotably coupled to the annular ring (24) at a first end and to a slide arrangement (38) at a second end. Each slide arrangement (38) is mounted for linear sliding movement relative to the annular ring (24), such that sliding movement of each slide arrangement (38) causes pivoting of the first and second actuator arms (34, 36) to thereby translate the annular ring (24) in one or both of a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction.