Thrust reverser for an asymmetric aircraft exhaust nozzle

A thrust reverser for an asymmetric nozzle having an exhaust casing partially defining to its interior an exhaust stream flow path and having an aerodynamically streamlined outer surface comprising:

• a flap located downstream of said casing having a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper surface separated from the casing outer surface by a space and a lower surface generally forming a continuation of the exhaust stream flow path;
• a first pivot;
• means for rotating said flap about said first pivot so as to immerse said flap leading edge into the exhaust gas stream and to produce a gap between said casing and said flap leading edge;
• a turning vane incorporated into said flap leading edge for deflecting a portion of the exhaust stream through the gap when immersed into the exhaust stream;
• a hinged lip connected to said flap trailing edge for deflecting the remainder of the exhaust stream in a direction generally opposite to the flow direction through said casing;
• a second pivot remote from said first pivot and about which said flap is rotatable for redirecting the total exhaust stream thrust vector;
• and
• means for rotating said flap about said second pivot.

An asymmetric exhaust nozzle comprising:

• an exhaust casing partially defining in its interior an exhaust stream flow path and having an outer surface;
• a flap located downstream of said casing having a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper surface and a lower surface wherein said lower surface defines a generally collinear extension of an upper portion of said exhaust stream flow path during undeflected exhaust nozzle operation;
• a pivot;
• means for rotating said flap about said pivot to a position wherein said flap leading edge is immersed into the exhaust gas stream and a gap is produced between said casing and said flap leading edge;
• a turning vane incorporated into said flap leading edge for deflecting a portion of the exhaust stream through said gap to produce a first thrust vector component generally normal to the exhaust casing flow;
• and
• a hinged lip connected to said flap trailing edge for deflecting the remainder of the exhaust stream to produce a second thrust vector component generally equal and opposite to the first thrust vector component.