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US 9,957,917 B2Granted
Variable area nozzle and associated propulsion system and method
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMatthew H. Cawthorne, Evan J. Filter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nozzle including a frame having a plurality of deflecting elements arranged in an array, the array extending about a longitudinal axis, and a skin positioned over the frame.
Claims20
A nozzle comprising:
- a frame comprising a plurality of deflecting elements arranged in an array, said array extending about a longitudinal axis, wherein at least a first of said plurality of deflecting elements is fixedly connected at a first node to an adjacent second of said plurality of deflecting elements and is fixedly connected at a second node to an adjacent third of said plurality of deflecting elements;
- a skin positioned over said frame;
- and
- actuation assembly operatively connected to said frame to supply a deflection force to said frame.
1 more element
A propulsion system comprising:
- a propulsion unit having an inlet end opposed from an outlet end along a longitudinal axis;
- and
- a nozzle connected to said propulsion unit, wherein said nozzle defines a throat having a cross-sectional area, said nozzle comprising:
- a frame comprising a plurality of deflecting elements arranged in a tubular array, wherein at least a first of said plurality of deflecting elements is fixedly connected at a first node to an adjacent second of said plurality of deflecting elements and is fixedly connected at a second node to an adjacent third of said plurality of deflecting elements;
- a skin positioned over said frame;
- and
- an actuation assembly operatively connected to said frame.
4 more elements
A nozzle method comprising:
- providing a nozzle having a frame comprising a plurality of deflecting elements arranged in an array, said array extending about a longitudinal axis, wherein at least a first of said plurality of deflecting elements is fixedly connected at a first node to an adjacent second of said plurality of deflecting elements and is fixedly connected at a second node to an adjacent third of said plurality of deflecting elements;
- and
- applying a deflection force to said frame, wherein said deflection force is applied in a direction substantially parallel with said longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.