US 6,718,752 B2 · Deployable segmented exhaust nozzle for a jet engine

Abstract

An exhaust flow nozzle for a jet engine having a plurality of flow altering components extending from a lip portion of a secondary exhaust nozzle that are movable between first and second positions. In the first position the flow altering components are disposed substantially parallel to an exhaust gas flow path and thereby do not produce drag or a reduction of thrust from the engine. In the second position the flow altering components bend or are deformed to project into the exhaust gas flow path exiting from the secondary exhaust nozzle. The flow altering components are comprised of a shape-memory alloy material which deforms in response to heat. One or more additional layers of material are bonded or otherwise coupled to the shape-memory alloy layer of each flow altering component to assist in returning the shape-memory alloy layer to its unheated shape.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A system for reducing noise from an exhaust nozzle associated with a jet engine, comprising:

a plurality of exhaust flow altering components spaced apart from one another and extending from a lip of said exhaust nozzle adjacent a flow path of an exhaust flow emitted from said exhaust nozzle;
and
each of said exhaust flow altering components being deformable from a first position adjacent to said flow path to a second position extending into said flow path of said exhaust flow in response to a control signal applied thereto, to thereby promote at least one of mixing of said exhaust flow with an adjacent airflow and attenuation of noise generated by said jet engine.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Deployable segmented exhaust nozzle for a jet engine

Life of this patent

Deployable segmented exhaust nozzle for a jet engine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19