Yaw and pitch convergent-divergent thrust vectoring nozzle
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsPaul W. Herrick, Edward B. Thayer, Jim D. Stewart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A yaw and pitch thrust vectoring exhaust nozzle includes a spherical collar, and two surrounding clam shells hinged to a gimbal ring and pivotal about an axis perpendicular to the clam shell hinge axis. The clam shells define a variable area nozzle throat (42) which can be selectively directed vertically by rotation of the clam shells about the hinge axis (38), or horizontally by rotation of the clam shells and gimbal ring about the pivot axis (30), thereby biasing the nozzle exhaust flow vector. Divergent flaps (44, 46) further direct the exhaust downstream of the nozzle throat (42). '
Claims7
A thrust vectoring exhaust nozzle for directing a gas stream, comprising:
- a fixed exhaust collar having a semispherical external surface, an internal passage for conducting the gas stream therethrough, and an aftward facing discharge opening;
- a gimbal assembly including first and second pivots secured adjacent the spherical collar surface and defining therebetween a first gimbal axis passing through a center point defined by the collar spherical surface, and a gimbal ring, surrounding the collar and pivotally supported by the first and second gimbal pivots;
- third and fourth pivots defining therebetween a second common axis perpendicular to the first gimbal axis;
- a first clamshell having a spherical interior surface corresponding to the collar spherical exterior surface, the first clamshell secured between the third and fourth pivots and selectably pivotable about the second common axis;
- a second clamshell having a spherical surface corresponding to the spherical exterior surface of the fixed collar, the second clamshell also secured between the third and fourth pivot points and selectably pivotable about the second common axis;
- first slidable means for sealing the first clamshell to the exterior of the fixed collar;
- second slidable means for sealing the second clamshell to the exterior of the fixed collar;
- and
- means for selectably rotating the gimbal ring about the first gimbal axis.
A thrust vectoring exhaust nozzle comprising:
- a fixed outlet collar having a generally rearward facing exhaust opening and a semispherical external surface defined about a center point;
- a gimbal ring, pivotably secured about the fixed collar and rotatable about a gimbal axis passing through the center point, the gimbal axis being oriented transversely with respect to a gas stream flowing through the outlet collar;
- a first clamshell having a surface corresponding to the exterior collar spherical surface;
- a second clamshell having a surface corresponding to the exterior collar spherical surface;
- the first and second clamshells being pivotably secured to the gimbal ring at second and third pivot points and independently pivotable about a common axis defined between the third and fourth pivot points, said common axis passing through the center point and oriented perpendicularly with respect to the gimbal axis and the flowing gas stream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.