Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle With Multi-Vane Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vectoring schemes for aircraft nozzles are limited in adjustability, complex, and impose a significant weight penalty, making them unsuitable for efficient thrust vectoring in various aircraft applications.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle with a thrust vectoring mechanism featuring three vanes pivotally mounted across a passageway, connected by a linkage that maintains convergence and adjusts the throat area according to a desired schedule, allowing for a wide range of thrust vector directions and throat area control through coordinated pivoting of the vanes and actuation by actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing vectoring schemes are used, then thrust vectoring capability is provided, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple discrete vanes (first vane, second vane, third vane) that can be independently pivoted to different angles. Each vane is controlled by its own actuator, allowing independent adjustment of thrust vector direction. This segmentation enables versatile thrust vectoring capability while keeping each individual component relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle employs dynamically adjustable vanes that can change their angular positions during operation. The actuators enable the vanes to pivot between different angles (e.g., first angle, second angle, third angle) to adapt thrust vector direction according to flight conditions. This dynamic adjustability provides versatility without requiring a completely complex fixed-geometry system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing vectoring schemes are used, then thrust vectoring is achieved, but weight penalty increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the nozzle into multiple vanes rather than using a single complex moving section, the weight is distributed across lighter individual components. Each vane can be optimized for minimal weight while maintaining structural integrity, reducing the overall weight penalty compared to monolithic vectoring schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with direct actuator-to-vane connections. Each actuator directly pivots its associated vane without requiring extensive mechanical linkages, thereby reducing the overall mechanical weight while maintaining the ability to achieve desired thrust vectoring angles.
3Productivity
If throat area is adjusted during pivoting, then thrust control is improved, but maintaining convergence becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts both the angular positions of the vanes and the throat area in a coordinated manner. As vanes pivot between different angles, the throat area is simultaneously adjusted to maintain optimal convergence of exhaust gases. This dynamic coordination ensures both thrust control efficiency and flow stability are maintained throughout the vectoring range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes multiple parameters simultaneously - the angular positions of individual vanes and the throat area - to achieve both thrust vectoring and flow convergence objectives. By coordinating changes in these parameters, the system maintains stable convergent flow while enabling effective thrust control and vectoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle device defines a passageway including an outlet to discharge working fluid to produce thrust. This device includes a vectoring mechanism having three or more vanes pivotally mounted across the passageway and a linkage pivotally coupling the vanes together. This linkage includes a first arm fixed to a first one of the vanes to pivot therewith about a first pivot axis, a second arm and a third arm fixed to a second one of the vanes to pivot therewith about a second pivot axis, and a fourth arm fixed to a third one of the vanes to pivot therewith about a third pivot axis. A first connecting link pivotally couples the first arm and the second arm together, and a second connecting link pivotally couples the third arm and the fourth arm together. The relative angular positioning of the arms with respect to the corresponding pivot axes and/or the arm links can be varied to define different vectoring schedules with the mechanism linkage. In one particular form, the nozzle is utilized with a lift fan of an aircraft to perform V/STOL operations.