Divergent flap
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorMeggan Harris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A divergent flap includes a hinge joint to connect the divergent flap to a convergent flap, a plow structure, a first wall, a second wall, and two side walls. The plow structure is at a plow end of the flap opposite the hinge joint. The first wall and the second wall each extend from the hinge joint to the plow end. The second wall is spaced apart from the first wall by the two side walls to form at least one cooling channel extending between the hinge joint and the plow end. The divergent flap is integrally formed in layer-by-layer fashion as a single piece.
Claims20
A divergent flap comprising:
- a hinge joint to connect the divergent flap to at least a convergent flap;
- a plow structure at a plow end of the flap opposite the hinge joint;
- a first wall extending from the hinge joint to the plow end;
- two side walls;
- and
- a second wall extending from the hinge joint to the plow end, the second wall spaced apart from the first wall by the two side walls to form at least one cooling channel extending between the hinge joint and the plow end;
- wherein the divergent flap is integrally formed in layer-by-layer fashion as a single piece.
A convergent and divergent nozzle comprising:
- a plurality of convergent flaps arranged circumferentially around an axis of the nozzle;
- and
- a plurality of divergent flaps arranged circumferentially around the axis of the nozzle, each of the divergent flaps pivotally mounted to a convergent flap, each of the divergent flaps including:
- a hinge joint to connect the divergent flap to the convergent flap;
- a plow structure at a plow end of the flap opposite the hinge joint;
- a first wall extending from the hinge joint to the plow end;
- two side walls;
- and
- a second wall facing the axis of the nozzle and extending from the hinge joint to the plow end, the second wall spaced apart from the first wall by the two side walls to form at least one cooling channel extending between the hinge joint and the plow end;
- wherein the divergent flap is integrally formed in layer-by-layer fashion as a single piece.
A method for making a divergent flap for a convergent and divergent nozzle, the method comprising:
- building the divergent flap by a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process;
- forming, while building the divergent flap, a hinge joint and a plow structure at a plow end of the flap opposite the hinge joint;
- and
- integrally forming at least one cooling channel together with the hinge joint and the plow structure, the cooling channel extending between the hinge joint and the plow end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.