Power plants – Reaction motor – With thrust direction modifying means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-18
2001-12-11
Kim, Ted (Department: 3746)
Power plants
Reaction motor
With thrust direction modifying means
C239S265350, C239S265410
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327846
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an axisymmetric and wide-vectoring turbojet-engine exhaust nozzle.
2. Related Art
More specifically the invention relates to an axisymmetric, wide-vectoring turbojet-engine exhaust nozzle comprising a converging-flaps drive arrangement supported on a vectoring structure which in turn is mounted on the downstream end of an exhaust housing having an axis X, said vectoring structure being able to tilt or rotate about a fixed center O located on the axis X. A means also is provided to tilt or rotate the vectoring structure and to regulate the exhaust cross-section of the converging flaps.
European Patent Document 0,029,773 discloses a converging nozzle of this kind wherein the vectoring structure is connected to the exhaust housing by elastic means reacting all transverse loads. The axial loads are reacted by linear control actuators tipping the vectoring structure. A second set of linear actuators anchored in the vectoring structure is used to regulate the nozzle exhaust cross-section.
European Patent Document 0,060,763 suggests a vectoring structure fitted with spherical bearings cooperating with spherical supports of the exhaust housing with insertion of a guide and roller system between the bearings and the support. The vectoring structure is prevented from rotation at least one guide assembly consisting of a slide affixed to the stationary structure and one roller affixed to the vectoring structure. Vectoring is implemented by a set of linear actuators anchored in the exhaust housing, and the nozzle cross-section is regulated by a second set of linear actuators borne on the vectoring structure. In this design the linear actuators implementing the directionality of the vectoring structure must react forces arising from friction with, and rolling on, the structural spheres which as a rule are large and consequently sensitive to thermal and mechanical expansions and warping.
In the two above cited documents, the converging flaps hinge on the downstream end of the vectoring structure which in turn bears the linear control actuators for the flaps, as a result of which the weight of the pivoting portion is increased and the response time to vector the nozzle is lengthened.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,741 relates to a wide-vectoring, converging-diverging nozzle wherein the converging flaps are mounted to slide axially on a spherical vectoring structure and are driven by linear actuators supported on said structure. The connection between the vectoring structure and the exhaust housing is implemented by two pairs of diametrically opposite radial stubs which are firmly affixed to axial bases on the vectoring structure and the exhaust housing and which slide in brackets in the corresponding bases of the other part. These stubs absorb the transverse loads, however the axial loads are absorbed by the linear control actuators tipping the vectoring structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first objective of the invention is a connection means between the vectoring structure and the exhaust housing whereby the rolling or frictional stresses and the transverse loads and most of the axial ones likewise are largely eliminated.
The invention solves this problem in that the vectoring structure is mounted on the downstream end of the exhaust housing by means of an intermediate ring pivotable about a first axis passing through the center O relative to the exhaust housing and also pivotable about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and passing through the center O of the vectoring structure.
Advantageously the intermediate ring is connected to the vectoring structure by two first diametrically opposite pivoting links and is connected to the exhaust housing by two diametrically opposite pivoting links of which the axes of rotation are perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the two first pivoting links.
In order to cancel the effects from warping or tolerances, the first and second links are both swiveling.
The links between the intermediate ring and the vectoring structure, and the injection housing, prevent the vectoring structure from rotating about the axis of the exhaust housing. The axial forces applied to the vectoring structure are transmitted to the intermediate ring and then to the exhaust housing without passing through the means controlling the tilting of the vectoring structure.
In accordance with a second feature of the invention, the converging flaps hinge on the downstream end of the vectoring structure and the means tilting the vectoring structure and regulating the exhaust cross-section of the converging flaps comprise a single drive ring connected by linkrods to the converging flaps and driven by a plurality of linear actuators resting on the exhaust housing.
Preferably the nozzle shall furthermore includes a ring of diverging flaps which are hinged on the downstream ends of the converging flaps and which are connected by linkrods to the vectoring structure.
The nozzle also comprises a ring of outer flaps hinged at their upstream ends on the drive ring and connected by a flexible link to the diverging flaps. Illustratively this flexible link is a sliding link.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3003312 (1961-10-01), Jewell
patent: 4508270 (1985-04-01), Joubert
patent: 4836451 (1989-06-01), Herrick et al.
patent: 4993641 (1991-02-01), Kehret et al.
patent: 5239815 (1993-08-01), Barcza
patent: 5351888 (1994-10-01), Taylor et al.
patent: 5370312 (1994-12-01), Kight
patent: 5398499 (1995-03-01), Urruela
patent: 5511376 (1996-04-01), Barcza
patent: 5613636 (1997-03-01), Zubillaga et al.
patent: 0 029 773 A1 (1981-06-01), None
patent: 0 060 763 A1 (1982-09-01), None
Feder Didier Georges
Lapergue Guy jean-Louis
Bacon & Thjomas PLLC
Kim Ted
SCNEMA Moteurs
LandOfFree
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