US3684183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thrust controlling apparatus
Assignee: Rohr Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-16
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-09-16
Abstract
Abstract Aft portion of jet engine shroud extends rearward beyond exit end of jet nozzle to surround and control exhaust gas stream. Passages through aft portion of shroud provide exit path for exhaust stream for thrust reversal. Closure members for passages move forward into notches to block flow, and are deployed aft to allow flow. A blocker door swings on transverse pivot from stowed position inward of forward end of each passage through intermediate modulating positions to full blocking position wherein doors join to form forwardly convex cone directing entire gas flow outwardly through passages exposed by deploying closure members. Forward ends of closure members mate with doors to form continuous deflecting surface and impart forward flow component to deflected gases to produce reverse thrust. Closure members and blocker doors may be operated independently if desired to provide variable thrust control during flight.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard B Baerresen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:24
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K1/00; F02K1/54; F02K1/74; F02K1/56; F02K1/60; F02K1/605; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
Thrust controlling apparatus for use in combination with a jet engine having a rearwardly discharging nozzle and adapted to produce reaction thrust, comprising: an elongate shroud of generally annular cross section connected to and surrounding the engine, the aft portion of the shroud extending rearwardly beyoNd the exit end of the nozzle to surround and control the exhaust gas stream issuing therefrom; a plurality of peripherally spaced passages extending through the wall of the aft portion of the shroud from the interior to the exterior thereof and aft of the plane of the exit end of the nozzle for outflow of exhaust gas on occasion to produce reverse thrust; a closure member for each of the passages movable along the axis of said shroud between stowed position overlying the passages and preventing flow therethrough and deployed position uncovering the passages for flow therethrough; and a blocker door for each passage pivotally mounted to the aft portion of the shroud for fore and aft swinging about axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shroud; the doors each being pivotally movable between fully stowed positions underlying the stowed closure members and blocking the inner ends of the passages and fully deployed positions engaging each other across the full width of the aft portion of the shroud to completely block rearward flow of the exhaust stream and re-direct it laterally outward through the passages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
Thrust controlling apparatus for use in combination with a jet engine having a rearwardly discharging nozzle and adapted to produce reaction thrust, comprising: an elongate shroud of generally annular cross section connected to and surrounding the engine, the aft portion of the shroud extending rearwardly beyoNd the exit end of the nozzle to surround and control the exhaust gas stream issuing therefrom; a plurality of peripherally spaced passages extending through the wall of the aft portion of the shroud from the interior to the exterior thereof and aft of the plane of the exit end of the nozzle for outflow of exhaust gas on occasion to produce reverse thrust; a closure member for each of the passages movable along the axis of said shroud between stowed position overlying the passages and preventing flow therethrough and deployed position uncovering the passages for flow therethrough; and a blocker door for each passage pivotally mounted to the aft portion of the shroud for fore and aft swinging about axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shroud; the doors each being pivotally movable between fully stowed positions underlying the stowed closure members and blocking the inner ends of the passages and fully deployed positions engaging each other across the full width of the aft portion of the shroud to completely block rearward flow of the exhaust stream and re-direct it laterally outward through the passages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; the shroud having radially spaced inner and outer walls; each blocker door in stowed position defining a portion of the contour of the inner wall of the shroud.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; the shroud having radially spaced inner and outer walls; each closure member in stowed position defining a portion of the contour of the outer wall of the shroud.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; the blocker doors being controllable to be maintained at any intermediate position to provide any desired degree of thrust reversal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; the blocker doors and the closure members being operable independently of each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; and common means for operating the blocker doors and the closure members simultaneously.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; an annular ring forming the extreme aft portion of the shroud and the closure members being integral with the ring and extending forward therefrom; the ring being axially slidable forward to stowed position to cause the closure members to cover the passages and axially slidable aft to deployed position to cause the closure members to uncover the passages; and actuating means to move the ring between stowed and deployed positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; the number of passages and doors being at least three; the trailing edge of each door tapering rearward from the full width of the door to a point; the included angle being chosen to cause the trailing edges to engage in substantially complete sealing relation in the full blocking position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6; the pivotal mounting of the doors being so located that in full blocking position the inner surfaces of the doors form a forwardly convex cone to guide the exhaust stream outwardly and rearwardly toward the outflow passages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; the closure members in stowed position being fully forward with their forward ends in contact with the forward ends of their respective passages, and in deployed position being fully aft with their forward ends axially spaced from the forward ends of the passages and serving to define the aft ends of the passages to guide outflow of the exhaust stream.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8; the forward ends of the closure members having surfaces diverging forwardly and the forward ends of the passages having correspondingly shaped surfaces to mate in sealing engagement during closure; said surfaces cooperating upon deployment of the closure members to impart a forward flow component to the exhaust stream issuing through the passages.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9; the pivotal mounting of the doors being so located that in full blocking position the inner surfaces of the doors form a forwardly convex cone to guide the exhaust stream outwardly and rearwardly toward tHe outflow passages and the leading edges of the doors engage the forward ends of the closure members to define a continuous, reversely curving guide path for the exhaust stream.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; the shroud constituting the aft portion of the fuselage of an airplane and having an upwardly extending vertical tail element and horizontal tail elements extending laterally in opposite directions from the longitudinal axis of the shroud; the passages being three in number; one of said passages opening downward beneath the horizontal tail element and the other two passages opening upward above the horizontal tail elements and angularly laterally to each side of the vertical tail element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |