Rod-and-Bracket Connector for Exhaust Nozzle Guide Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical guide systems for aircraft and gas turbine exhaust nozzle assemblies face challenges in minimizing size while maximizing strength and durability, particularly in withstanding extreme mechanical and thermal stresses.
Innovation Solution
A rod-and-bracket connector system secures a pivoting member to a guide anchor within a guide track, eliminating the need for traditional threaded bolt extensions and allowing for thicker, stronger guide shoulders or reducing the guide track size while maintaining strength and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional threaded bolt extensions are used to secure the pivoting member to the guide anchor, then the connection is reliable, but the guide track size increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the threaded bolt extensions from the traditional connection system. Instead of using threaded bolts that extend through the guide track, the patent uses a simplified rod-and-bracket connector system where the rod passes through the guide anchor and is retained by brackets, removing the need for threaded extensions and reducing overall guide track size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the connection parameters from threaded bolt extensions to a rod-with-brackets system. This parameter change allows for a more compact design where the rod length and bracket positioning provide the necessary connection reliability without requiring the extended threaded portions that would increase guide track volume.
2Strength
If traditional threaded bolt extensions are used to secure the pivoting member, then the connection is strong, but the weight of the guide system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the threaded bolt extensions that contribute unnecessary weight to the guide system. The rod-and-bracket connector system uses unthreaded rods with bracket retainers, eliminating the weight of threaded portions and associated fastening hardware while maintaining connection strength through the bracket design.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from threaded parameters to a rod-length-and-bracket-positioning parameter system. This change allows for optimized weight by using lighter unthreaded rods and strategically positioned brackets that provide equivalent or superior connection strength without the weight penalty of threaded extensions.
3Ease of operation
If the guide track is made larger to accommodate traditional connection methods, then the guide anchor can move freely, but the volumetric displacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the threaded bolt extensions that necessitate larger guide track dimensions. By using a rod-and-bracket system, the guide track can be more compact because the connection components do not require the same clearance and space as threaded extensions, allowing the guide anchor to move freely within a smaller volumetric envelope.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial parameters of the connection system from extended threaded bolts to compact rod-and-bracket geometry. This parameter change enables the guide track to maintain adequate movement clearance for the guide anchor while occupying significantly less volumetric space, as the brackets can be positioned closer to the guide track boundaries.
Data Source
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AI summary
The connector system (30) includes a pivoting member (38) pivotally attached to a guide anchor (36) that is moveably secured within a guide track (34). The guide anchor (36) is movably secured between first and second strength walls (58, 62). At least one guide shoulder (70) and the pivoting member (38) define throughbores (74, 76, 78) that receive a rod (92) of a rod-and-bracket connector (88) to pivotally secure the pivoting member (38), such as a convergent flap (26) of an exhaust nozzle assembly (22). The rod-and-bracket connector (88) utilizes an L-shaped arm (96) to eliminate need for a large thread and lock nut assembly (86) between the strength walls (58, 62) to thereby facilitate use of larger, stronger guide shoulders (70, 72) between the strength walls (58, 62) to maximize strength of the connector system (30) while minimizing its volumetric displacement.