Aircraft Engine Variable Area Nozzle With Radial Load Carriage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable area nozzles for aircraft engines require improvements in terms of structural support and control mechanisms to efficiently manage radial loads and adjust the nozzle area effectively.
Innovation Solution
A variable area nozzle design featuring a nozzle inner structure with slots and a nozzle sleeve, supported by a carriage and actuator system, allowing axial translation of the nozzle sleeve to adjust the nozzle area, with a carriage and actuator system to manage radial loads and adjust the nozzle area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a variable area nozzle is designed with a movable nozzle sleeve to adjust nozzle area, then the adaptability of the nozzle is improved, but the structural support requirements and device complexity increase due to the need to manage radial loads
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into distinct components: a stationary nozzle wall, a movable nozzle sleeve, and a carriage assembly. This segmentation allows the nozzle sleeve to be independently moved axially to adjust the nozzle area, while the carriage provides dedicated support for managing radial loads during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage acts as an intermediary mechanism between the actuator and the nozzle sleeve. It receives actuator force and translates it into controlled axial movement of the nozzle sleeve, while simultaneously managing radial loads through its structural design with struts connecting to the nozzle wall.
2Ease of operation
If an actuation system with carriage and actuator is added to move the nozzle sleeve, then the ease of operation for nozzle area adjustment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is designed to be self-contained within the nozzle structure. The actuator is disposed radially within the inner nozzle wall, and the carriage integrates with the existing nozzle components, allowing the system to adjust nozzle area without requiring external complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage serves multiple functions: it supports the nozzle sleeve during axial movement, manages radial loads through its strut connections to the nozzle wall, and interfaces with the actuator to enable controlled positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
3Productivity
If the nozzle sleeve is moved axially to adjust nozzle area, then the productivity or efficiency of the aircraft engine is improved, but the force requirements and stress on the structural support increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is pre-configured with struts connected to the nozzle wall before operation. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that radial loads are immediately managed through the carriage's built-in support system during nozzle sleeve movement, preventing excessive stress on individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation system manages radial loads by introducing a dimensional aspect to the support structure. The carriage with its radially arranged struts creates a three-dimensional support network that distributes radial forces throughout the nozzle wall structure, reducing stress concentration on any single component.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A variable area nozzle (20) for an aircraft engine includes a nozzle inner structure (24), a nozzle outer structure (22), an actuation system (26) and a flowpath (28) extending along an axis (32). The nozzle inner structure (24) includes a nozzle wall (44) and a nozzle sleeve (46). The nozzle wall (44) includes a plurality of slots (66) arranged circumferentially about the axis (32). Each of the slots (66) projects radially through the nozzle wall (44). The nozzle sleeve (46) axially overlaps and circumscribes the nozzle wall (44). The actuation system (26) includes a carriage (84) and an actuator (86). The carriage (84) includes a hub and a plurality of struts arranged circumferentially about and connected to the hub. Each of the struts projects radially through a respective slot (66) where the nozzle sleeve (46) is attached to the carriage (84) at an outer end of the carriage (84). The actuator (86) is disposed radially within the nozzle wall (44) and is coupled to the hub. The actuation system (26) moves the nozzle sleeve (46) axially along the nozzle wall (44).