Variable Exhaust Nozzle Shutters for Low-Disturbance Area Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Civilian aircraft gas turbine engines lack a variable exit nozzle area control for performance optimization, and existing shutter vector systems can disturb nozzle airflow.

Innovation Solution

A shutter vector apparatus with pivotable shutter elements and an actuator system that modulates the exhaust nozzle flow area by moving between stowed and deployed positions, using a curvilinear profile to minimize airflow disturbance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a variable exit nozzle area control is implemented, then engine and aircraft performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine performanceVSAvoidnozzle control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle area control is achieved by segmenting the nozzle outlet into multiple independent shutter elements that can be individually positioned. Each shutter element can be rotated to different angular positions to create variable flow areas, allowing performance optimization without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable nozzle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter elements are made rotatable about their longitudinal axes, transforming the static nozzle outlet into a dynamic structure that can adapt its flow area in real-time. This rotational degree of freedom enables the nozzle to optimize performance for different operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a shutter vector system is used, then nozzle flow area can be modulated, but airflow disturbance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle flow area modulationVSAvoidairflow turbulence

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each shutter element is designed with specific geometric characteristics (such as curved surfaces and optimized positioning) that locally minimize flow disturbance. The elements are positioned and shaped to gradually redirect flow rather than create abrupt interruptions, reducing turbulence while still achieving effective flow area modulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter elements incorporate curved surfaces and rounded geometries that smoothly guide airflow around the moving parts. This curvature prevents sharp flow separation and reduces turbulence, allowing the shutter mechanism to modulate flow area while maintaining relatively smooth airflow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS12540587B1Gas turbine engine nozzle with variable area

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

An aircraft gas turbine engine includes an exhaust nozzle having a nozzle flowpath, and a nacelle of the gas turbine engine at least partially defining an exhaust nozzle flow area of the exhaust nozzle. The nacelle extends axially along an engine central longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine and circumferentially around the engine central longitudinal axis. A shutter vector apparatus is attached to the nacelle and is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The shutter vector apparatus is configured to modulate the exhaust nozzle flow area when the shutter vector apparatus is moved between the stowed position and the deployed position. The shutter vector apparatus includes a plurality of shutter elements, each shutter element having at least one aerodynamic surface extending into the nozzle flowpath of the exhaust nozzle when the shutter vector apparatus is in the deployed position.