Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle With Pivotally Connected Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft exhaust nozzles lack the capability to efficiently direct combustion products along varying trajectories, limiting their effectiveness in terms of thrust vectoring and overall powerplant efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a support structure with pivotally connected nozzle flaps on opposing sides of the flowpath, allowing the exhaust nozzle to exhaust combustion products along multiple trajectories by adjusting the flap positions. This configuration includes a first trajectory angularly offset from the horizontal axis in a vertical upward direction and a second trajectory that can be parallel or angularly offset from the first trajectory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed exhaust nozzle design is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the thrust vectoring capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust nozzle is segmented into multiple independent nozzle flaps (typically three flaps arranged in a Y-configuration) that can move relative to each other. Each flap is connected to the nozzle body via pivot joints, allowing independent angular adjustment. This segmentation enables the nozzle to vector thrust in multiple directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle flaps are designed with dynamic adjustment capability through pivot joints that allow each flap to rotate independently. This dynamic configuration enables real-time changes in exhaust trajectory angles, providing thrust vectoring control without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure. The flaps can be positioned at different angles to achieve various thrust directions.
2Ease of operation
If nozzle flaps are added for trajectory control, then thrust vectoring is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each nozzle flap is equipped with a pivot joint that enables independent rotational movement. This dynamic mechanism allows operators to adjust the exhaust trajectory by rotating individual flaps to desired angles, providing precise directional control. The pivot joint design keeps the mechanism relatively simple while achieving effective thrust vectoring control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into individual flap control units, where each flap can be adjusted independently. This segmentation simplifies the control mechanism by breaking down the complex task of thrust vectoring into manageable individual flap adjustments, making the system easier to operate and control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple nozzle flaps are used for trajectory adjustment, then thrust vectoring effectiveness is improved, but the weight of the nozzle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust nozzle is divided into multiple lightweight flap segments rather than using a single heavy movable component. Each flap is a separate, relatively lightweight element that can be independently positioned. This segmentation distributes the weight across multiple small components rather than concentrating it in one heavy structure, reducing the overall nozzle weight while maintaining trajectory control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle uses lightweight dynamic flap elements with pivot joints instead of heavy mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The flaps are designed to be as light as possible while maintaining structural integrity, and the pivot joints provide the necessary movement capability without adding excessive weight. This dynamic lightweight design achieves effective thrust vectoring with minimal weight penalty.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is provided for an aircraft. This aircraft assembly include an airframe with a horizontal axis. The aircraft assembly also includes a powerplant arranged with the airframe. The powerplant includes a gas turbine engine, an exhaust nozzle and a flowpath fluidly coupling the gas turbine engine to the exhaust nozzle. The exhaust nozzle includes a support structure and a plurality of nozzle flaps disposed on opposing sides of the flowpath. Each of the nozzle flaps is pivotally connected to the support structure. The exhaust nozzle is configured to exhaust combustion products received from the gas turbine engine along a first trajectory when the nozzle flaps are pivoted into a first arrangement. The first trajectory is angularly offset from the horizontal axis in a vertical upward direction.