Thrust Vectoring Nozzle Protrusion for Gas Seal Thermal Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thrust vectoring apparatuses face challenges in protecting the gas seal member from high thermal loads due to the direct exposure of combustion gases, which leads to increased heat transfer and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

The thrust vectoring apparatus incorporates a protrusion on the rotation shaft that protrudes radially to guide and decelerate combustion gases away from the gas seal member, forming a labyrinthine passage to reduce heat transfer and thermal loads, while the gas seal member is positioned between the rotation shaft and the nozzle to prevent gas ingress into the driving mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the gas seal member is positioned close to the nozzle output opening to effectively seal combustion gases, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the gas seal member is exposed to high thermal loads from combustion gases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidthermal load on gas seal member

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the combustion gases and the gas seal member. It redirects the combustion gases away from the gas seal member's sealing surface, reducing direct thermal exposure while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The protrusion serves as a protective mediator that separates the hot gas flow from the sensitive sealing component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion segments the combustion gas flow path, creating a separated flow pattern where gases are diverted away from the gas seal member. This segmentation of the gas flow allows the sealing function to be maintained while thermal exposure is reduced through flow path division.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Force

If the jet tab is positioned to overlap with the nozzle output opening for effective thrust vectoring, then control effectiveness is improved, but combustion gases may invade toward the driving mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrust vectoring effectivenessVSAvoidcombustion gas intrusion into driving mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion serves as a protective barrier that mediates between the combustion gases and the driving mechanism. When the jet tab overlaps with the nozzle output opening for thrust vectoring, the protrusion redirects the combustion gases away from the driving mechanism, preventing gas intrusion while maintaining control effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If no protective structure is added for the gas seal member, then device complexity is reduced, but the gas seal member cannot be protected from high thermal loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidgas seal member protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion is a simple segmented addition to the rotation shaft that provides protection without requiring a completely separate protective system. This minimal structural modification maintains device simplicity while effectively redirecting combustion gases away from the gas seal member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration effectively reduces the thermal load on the gas seal member, protecting it from high-speed combustion gases and enhancing the reliability of the thrust vectoring system by minimizing heat transfer and maintaining the integrity of the gas seal.

Implementation Method 1

The rotation shaft has a protrusion on the rear side of the gas seal member, and the protrusion protrudes to the radial direction out of the rotation shaft to restrain that the combustion gas which flows from the first gap flows toward the gas seal member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow guidance and deceleration:

Implementation Method 2

a gas seal member arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft to prevent the combustion gas from invading toward the driving mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas sealing:

Implementation Method 3

The jet tab rotates in a plane intersecting with a longitudinal center axis of the nozzle by the rotation shaft rotating around the rotation axis, to move from an operation position where the jet tab overlaps with the nozzle output opening to a standby position where the jet tab does not overlap with the nozzle output opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThrust vectoring:

Data Source

PatentUS9663222B2Thrust vectoring apparatus and flying object having thrust vectoring apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.05.30 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD

AI summary

The thrust vectoring apparatus has a nozzle, a jet tab arranged behind the nozzle, a rotation shaft 30 connected to the jet tab, and a gas seal member arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft. The rotation shaft is connected to the jet tab, and has the protrusion in the redial direction out of the rotation shaft on the rear side of the gas seal member. The protrusion restrains that the combustion gas exhausted from the nozzle flows toward the gas seal member.