Split shroud exhaust nozzle
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorBernard James Renggli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A variable geometry convergent-divergent nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes a centerbody extending rearward along a longitudinal axis of the engine which has a throat section of increased diameter. An inner shroud surrounds the centerbody and cooperates with the centerbody to define the throat of the nozzle. An outer shroud surrounds the inner shroud and cooperates with the centerbody to define the exit area of the nozzle. Both shrouds are independently translatable to provide independent control of the nozzle throat area and the nozzle expansion ratio.
Claims26
A nozzle for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
- a centerbody extending rearward along said longitudinal axis, said centerbody including a throat section of increased diameter relative to the remainder of said centerbody;
- an inner shroud surrounding said centerbody, said inner shroud having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface including at least a middle section of decreased diameter relative to the remainder of said inner surface, said inner shroud being selectively moveable along said longitudinal axis in forward and aft directions relative to said centerbody;
- an outer shroud surrounding said inner shroud, said outer shroud having a forward edge, an aft edge, and an inner surface extending from said forward edge to said aft edge, said outer shroud being movable in forward and aft directions relative to said center body;
- and
- means for independently selectively moving said inner and outer shrouds in forward and aft directions relative to said centerbody, wherein said centerbody, said inner surface of said inner shroud, and said inner surface of said outer shroud collectively define a fluid flowpath through said nozzle.
A gas turbine engine having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
- a nozzle comprising:
- a centerbody;
- an annular inner shroud having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface including a middle section of decreased diameter relative to the remainder of said inner surface, said inner shroud selectively moveable along said longitudinal axis between forward and aft positions relative to said center body;
- an annular outer shroud having an inner surface and an outer surface, said outer shroud selectively movable between forward and aft positions relative to said center body;
- and
- means for independently translating said inner and outer shrouds.
A method for controlling a fluid flow through a nozzle, comprising:
- providing a centerbody extending rearward along a longitudinal axis, said centerbody including a throat section of increased diameter relative to the remainder of said centerbody;
- providing an inner shroud surrounding said centerbody, said inner shroud having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface including at least a middle section of decreased diameter relative to the remainder of said inner surface;
- providing an outer shroud surrounding said inner shroud, said outer shroud having a forward edge, an aft edge, and an inner surface extending from said forward edge to said aft edge;
- providing means for independently selectively translating said inner and outer shrouds in forward and aft directions relative to said centerbody, wherein said centerbody and said inner shroud collectively define a throat area of said nozzle, and said outer shroud and said centerbody collectively define an exit area of said nozzle;
- selectively translating said inner shroud to vary said throat area;
- and
- selectively translating said outer shroud to vary the ratio of said exit area to said throat area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.