US3637140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatically actuated variable area inlet or exhaust nozzle
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Tactical Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1970-09-03
•
Granted: 1972-01-25
•
Expires: 1990-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A nozzle for the inlet or exhaust of a jet engine which reduces the inlet or exhaust area to reduce noise and to change inlet and exhaust flow conditions. The nozzle consists of an open ended cylindrical tube axially aligned with the engine. The inner circumference of the tube is lined with overlapping leaves extending the length of the tube and hinged to rings at the front and rear ends of the tube. A number of inflatable rings or tori are provided between the leaves and the tube midway between its ends. Inflation of the rings forces the centers of the leaves inwardly, reducing the cross-sectional area of the nozzle.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen T Palovchik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:40
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K1/00; F02K1/06; F02K1/10; B; B64; B64D; B64D33/00; B64D33/02; F02C; F02C7/00; F02C7/04; F02C7/042; B64D2033/0253; B64D2033/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A device for use as a variable area nozzle comprising: an open-ended cylindrical tube, a plurality of flexible leaves extending axially within said tube in overlapping relation to one another; means to hold the ends of said leaves adjacent one end of said tube in fixed radial and axial position; means to hold the other ends of said leaves adjacent the other end of said tube in a fixed radial position while permitting uniform axial movement; and means for adjustably forcing the midportions of said leaves radially inwardly to reduce the cross-sectional area of flow through said nozzle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A device for use as a variable area nozzle comprising: an open-ended cylindrical tube, a plurality of flexible leaves extending axially within said tube in overlapping relation to one another; means to hold the ends of said leaves adjacent one end of said tube in fixed radial and axial position; means to hold the other ends of said leaves adjacent the other end of said tube in a fixed radial position while permitting uniform axial movement; and means for adjustably forcing the midportions of said leaves radially inwardly to reduce the cross-sectional area of flow through said nozzle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises at least one inflatable ring circumferentially surrounding said leaves and controllable inflating means for inflating and deflating said rings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein said inflatable ring is formed of a dual wall inflatable fabric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 3 wherein there are provided three concentric inflatable rings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein first ends of said leaves are hinged to a circular ring, said ring being of slightly lesser diameter than the inner diameter of said tube and being rigidly connected to said tube adjacent the inlet end thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device according to claim 5 wherein the second ends of said leaves are hinged to a second circular ring, said second ring being of slightly lesser diameter than the inner diameter of said tube and slidable within said tube at the exit end thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
A variable area nozzle comprising: a tubular housing adaptable for mounting at one end; first and second circular securing rings of slightly lesser diameter than the inner diameter of said housing; a plurality of flexible leaves each hinged at its opposite ends to said first and second rings, said leaves being secured to said rings at uniformly spaced intervals, alternate ones of said leaves overlying adjacent leaves; and at least one inflatable ring circumferentially surrounding said leaves, said leaves, securing rings, and inflatable rings being mounted within said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
A variable area nozzle comprising: a tubular housing adaptable for mounting at one end; first and second circular securing rings of slightly lesser diameter than the inner diameter of said housing; a plurality of flexible leaves each hinged at its opposite ends to said first and second rings, said leaves being secured to said rings at uniformly spaced intervals, alternate ones of said leaves overlying adjacent leaves; and at least one inflatable ring circumferentially surrounding said leaves, said leaves, securing rings, and inflatable rings being mounted within said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The nozzle according to claim 7 wherein the securing ring at the entry end of said housing is rigidly attached thereto and the other securing ring is slidable axially within the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The nozzle according to claim 7 wherein said inflatable rings are formed of dual wall inflatable fabric having an inflated configuration complementary to the smooth curvature of said leaves from the secured ends thereof the midportions thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2763426A
Cited
US2737019A
Cited
US2948111A
Cited
US2960281A
Cited
US3214903A
Cited
US3279192A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |