Nozzle plugs and associated nozzles assemblies and methods
AssigneeNorthrop Grumman Systems Corporation
InventorsDaniel Lewis Cowan, Andrew Lee Thompson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nozzle plug includes a first lateral structure in a first lateral plane, the first lateral structure includes a first set of openings defined in the first lateral structure. The nozzle plug further includes a second lateral structure in a second lateral plane vertically offset from and parallel to the first lateral plane, the second lateral structure includes a second set of openings defined in the second lateral structure, the second set of openings laterally offset from the first set of openings. The nozzle plug also includes a lattice structure positioned between the first lateral plane and the second lateral plane.
Claims20
A nozzle plug comprising:
- a first lateral structure in a first lateral plane, the first lateral structure comprising a first set of openings defined in the first lateral structure;
- a second lateral structure in a second lateral plane vertically offset from and parallel to the first lateral plane, the second lateral structure comprising a second set of openings defined in the second lateral structure, the second set of openings laterally offset from the first set of openings;
- and
- a lattice structure positioned between the first lateral plane and the second lateral plane.
A method of forming a nozzle plug, the method comprising:
- forming a first lateral structure comprising a first planar structure including a first plurality of openings defined in the first lateral structure;
- forming a lattice structure over the first lateral structure, the lattice structure including lattice trusses extending at an angle relative to the first lateral structure, where each lattice truss extends from an opening of the first plurality of openings defined in the first lateral structure;
- and
- forming a second lateral structure over the first lateral structure, the second lateral structure comprising a second planar structure including a second plurality of openings, wherein each opening of the second plurality of openings is joined to at least one lattice truss of the lattice trusses of the lattice structure.
A nozzle assembly comprising:
- a nozzle exit cone;
- and
- a nozzle plug disposed in the nozzle exit cone, the nozzle plug comprising:
- a lattice structure comprising intersecting lattice trusses;
- and
- a first lateral structure including a first plurality of openings defined in the lateral structure, each opening of the first plurality of openings in the lateral structure positioned at an intersection between at least two lattice trusses of the intersecting lattice trusses of the lattice structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.