Vertical Stabilizer With Moveable Turbine Engines for Thrust Vectoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing propulsion system arrangements for aircraft lack flexibility and efficiency in thrust vectoring and maneuverability, particularly in high-thrust maneuvers and blended wing body aircraft configurations.

Innovation Solution

Aircraft assemblies featuring a vertical stabilizer with moveable turbine engines and actuation systems that allow for relative movement of propulsion systems, enabling thrust vectoring and enhanced maneuverability through coordinated movement of propulsor rotors and turbine engines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If propulsion systems are fixed to the aircraft body, then structural simplicity is maintained, but thrust vectoring capability and maneuverability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrust vectoring capabilityVSAvoidpropulsion system arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the propulsion system movable relative to the aircraft body through a actuation system. The turbine engine and propulsor rotor can be repositioned to different angles and orientations, transforming the fixed propulsion arrangement into a dynamic, adjustable configuration that enables thrust vectoring and enhanced maneuverability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If turbine engines are mounted on the vertical stabilizer, then space utilization is improved, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidaircraft structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the propulsion system into separate movable components (turbine engine and propulsor rotor) that can be independently positioned. This allows the engines to be mounted on the vertical stabilizer while maintaining structural integrity through modular attachment points and controlled actuation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If propulsor rotors are positioned at various angles, then flight maneuverability is enhanced, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflight maneuverabilityVSAvoidactuation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining the actuation of multiple propulsor rotors into a coordinated system. The actuation system controls the position and angle of both turbine engines and propulsor rotors together, enabling synchronized thrust vectoring operations that enhance flight maneuverability while managing control complexity through integrated actuation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12459631B2Aircraft vertical stabilizer with moveable propulsion system(s)

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 RTX CORP

AI summary

An assembly is provided for an aircraft. This assembly includes a vertical stabilizer, a first turbine engine, a second turbine engine and an actuation system. The vertical stabilizer extends spanwise from a stabilizer base to a stabilizer tip. The vertical stabilizer extends longitudinally from a stabilizer leading edge to a stabilizer trailing edge. The vertical stabilizer extends laterally between a stabilizer first side and a stabilizer second side. The first turbine engine is movably mounted to the vertical stabilizer at the stabilizer first side. The second turbine engine is moveably mounted to the vertical stabilizer at the stabilizer second side. The actuation system is configured to move the first turbine engine and the second turbine engine relative to the vertical stabilizer.