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US 9,869,275 B2Granted
Single actuator variable area fan nozzle system and method
AssigneeRohr, Inc.
InventorTimothy Gormley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A single actuator variable area fan nozzle (“VAFN”) system is provided. In contrast to typical system, the single actuator VAFN may comprise a single actuator, a linkage and a VAFN panel. The single actuator may be configured to actuate the VAFN panel between a stowed position and a deployed position. In various embodiments, the linkage may travel a path during deployment and/or retraction that is between the loft lines of the nacelle.
Claims11
A variable area fan nozzle (“VAFN”), comprising:
- a single actuator;
- an actuation linkage coupled to the single actuator, comprising:
- a ring crank having a first end and a second end;
- and
- a VAFN panel coupled to the actuation linkage and configured to translate forward and aft based on inputs from the single actuator to change a nozzle area of a fan duct,
- wherein the first end is configured to be pivotally mounted to a translating sleeve and wherein the second end is configured to be pivotally mounted to the translating sleeve, and
- the pivoting of the ring crank causes the VAFN panel to translate at least one of forward and aft.
4 more elements
A nacelle, comprising:
- a first hemisphere comprising:
- a fan cowl;
- a translating sleeve disposed aft the fan cowl and configured to translate forward and aft;
- a variable area fan nozzle (“VAFN”) panel disposed aft the translating sleeve and configured to adjust an exhaust nozzle area of a bypass duct;
- a linkage assembly operatively coupled to the VAFN panel;
- and
- a single actuator coupled to the linkage assembly and configured to deploy the VAFN panel via the linkage assembly,
- wherein the linkage assembly comprises a ring crank having a first end pivotally mounted to the translating sleeve and a second end pivotally mounted to the translating sleeve
- wherein pivoting of the ring crank causes the VAFN panel to translate at least one of forward and aft.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.