Nested toroid nozzle apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for vectoring a fluid flow comprising a fluid flow impelling fan, a duct surrounding said fan for confining the fluid flow and having a predetermined diameter, pivot forming means mounted within the outline limits of said duct aft of said fan, fluid flow vectoring means mounted on said pivot means and being constituted by hood means forming a passage enclosing the fluid flow, said hood means being movable between a first position directing the fluid flow in a thrust direction aft of said duct and substantially in axial alignment with the fan axis and a second position directing the total fluid flow in a thrust direction at an angle relative to said fan axis, said thrust in said second position having a thrust axis located aft of said fan a distance substantially equal to or less than said duct diameter.

Claim 3

The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said hood means of the flow vectoring means is movable into a third position beyond said second position relative to said first position, said third position directing the flow in a direction with a flow component directed reverse to that of said first position.

Claim 4

Apparatus for vectoring a fluid flow comprising a fluid flow impelling fan, a duct surrounding said fan for confining the fluid flow and having a predetermined diameter, pivot forming means mounted in said duct aft of said fan, fluid flow vectoring means mounted on said pivot means and movable between a first position directing the fluid flow in a thrust direction aft of said duct and substantially in axial alignment with the fan axis and a second position directing the total fluid flow in a thrust direction at an angle relative to said fan axis, said flow vectoring means including a fixed hood enclosing said pivot means, a movable hood mounted on said pivot means and a toroidal nozzle bucket movable mounted on said pivot means and cooperating with said hoods to confIne the fluid flow through said hoods and bucket, said movable hood and bucket being nested in overlapped position when in said first position and being extended in projection of each other in said second position, and said thrust in said second position having a thrust axis located aft of said fan a distance substantially equal to or less than said duct diameter.

Claim 5

Apparatus for vectoring a fluid flow comprising a fluid flow impelling fan, a duct surrounding said fan for confining the fluid flow and having a predetermined diameter, pivot forming means mounted in said duct aft of said fan, fluid flow vectoring means mounted on said pivot means and movable between a first position directing the fluid flow in a thrust direction aft of said duct and substantially in axial alignment with the fan axis and a second position directing the total fluid flow in a thrust direction at an angle relative to said fan axis, said flow vectoring means including a fixed hood enclosing said pivot means, a movable hood mounted on said pivot means and a toroidal nozzle bucket movable mounted on said pivot means and cooperating with said hoods to confIne the fluid flow through said hoods and bucket, said movable hood and bucket being nested in overlapped position when in said first position and being extended in projection of each other in said second position, and said thrust in said second position having a thrust axis located aft of said fan a distance substantially equal to or less than said duct diameter.

Claim 6

The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said flow vectoring means is movable into a third position beyond said second position relative to said first position, said third position directing the total flow in a direction with a flow component directed reverse to that of said first position.

Claim 7

Apparatus for vectoring a fluid flow comprising a fluid flow impelling fan, a duct surrounding said fan for confining the fluid flow and having a predetermined diameter, pivot forming means mounted in said duct aft of said fan, fluid flow vectoring means mounted on said pivot means and movable between a first position directing the fluid flow in a thrust direction aft of said duct and substantially in axial alignment with the fan axis and a second position directing the total fluid flow in a thrust direction at an angle relative to said fan axis, said flow vectoring means including a fixed hood enclosing said pivot means at its lower side, a movable hood cooperating with said fixed hood to direct the fluid flow, one of said hoods being provided with flow spoiling outlet means and said hoods being relatively movable such that the flow spoiling outlet means may be selectively opened to spoil the flow and closed to cut off flow through said opening, and said thrust in said second position having a thrust axis located aft of said fan a distance substantially equal to or less than said duct diameter.

Claim 8

Apparatus for vectoring a fluid flow comprising a fluid flow impelling fan, a duct surrounding said fan for confining the fluid flow and having a predetermined diameter, pivot forming means mounted in said duct aft of said fan, fluid flow vectoring means mounted on said pivot means and movable between a first position directing the fluid flow in a thrust direction aft of said duct and substantially in axial alignment with the fan axis and a second position directing the total fluid flow in a thrust direction at an angle relative to said fan axis, said flow vectoring means including a fixed hood enclosing said pivot means at its lower side, a movable hood cooperating with said fixed hood to direct the fluid flow, one of said hoods being provided with flow spoiling outlet means and said hoods being relatively movable such that the flow spoiling outlet means may be selectively opened to spoil the flow and closed to cut off flow through said opening, and said thrust in said second position having a thrust axis located aft of said fan a distance substantially equal to or less than said duct diameter.

Claim 9

Apparatus for vectoring a fluid flow comprising a fluid flow impelling fan, a duct surrounding said fan for confining the fluid flow and having a predetermined diameter, pivot forming means mounted in said duct aft of said fan, fluid flow vectoring means mounted on said pivot means and movable between a first position directing the fluid flow in a thrust direction aft of said duct and substantially in axial alignment with the fan axis and a second position directing the total fluid flow in a thrust direction at an angle relative to said fan axis, said flow vectoring means including a hood fixed on said duct aft of said fan and enclosing said pivot forming means, said fixed hood having a substantially circular configuration and being provided with flow spoiler apertures, movable hood means mounted on said pivot forming means and cooperating with said fixed hood, a toroidal nozzle bucket movable mounted on said pivot forming means and cooperating with said fixed hood and movable hood means, and means operably connected to said nozzle bucket and movable hood means to pivot the same between said first and second positions, said movable hood being movable independently to cover and uncover said flow spoiler apertures and said thrust in said second position having a thrust axis located aft of said fan a distance substantially equal to or less than said duct diameter.

Claim 10

Apparatus for vectoring a fluid flow comprising a fluid flow impelling fan, a duct surrounding said fan for confining the fluid flow and having a predetermined diameter, pivot forming means mounted in said duct aft of said fan, fluid flow vectoring means mounted on said pivot means and movable between a first position directing the fluid flow in a thrust direction aft of said duct and substantially in axial alignment with the fan axis and a second position directing the total fluid flow in a thrust direction at an angle relative to said fan axis, said flow vectoring means including a hood fixed on said duct aft of said fan and enclosing said pivot forming means, said fixed hood having a substantially circular configuration and being provided with flow spoiler apertures, movable hood means mounted on said pivot forming means and cooperating with said fixed hood, a toroidal nozzle bucket movable mounted on said pivot forming means and cooperating with said fixed hood and movable hood means, and means operably connected to said nozzle bucket and movable hood means to pivot the same between said first and second positions, said movable hood being movable independently to cover and uncover said flow spoiler apertures and said thrust in said second position having a thrust axis located aft of said fan a distance substantially equal to or less than said duct diameter.

Claim 11

The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said operable means moves said nozzle bucket and hood means into a third position in which said nozzle bucket develops thrust with a component in a direction reverse to the normal direction of flow when in said first position.

Claim 12

In an aircraft having a jet propulsion engine the improvement of means operable to apply the exhaust flow of said jet engine to powering the flight of the aircraft in normal cruise flight and in vertical take-off and landing flight, said improved means including a flow directing duct having inlet and outlet portions normally in axial alignment for cruise flight, a flow impelling fan in said duct inlet portion, flow directing nozzle means pivotally mounted in said duct outlet portion for movement between positions in which the outlet flow is directed selectively at an angle to the normAl axis of said duct, wherein the mounting of said nozzle means comprises pivot means disposed within the outline of said duct outlet portion, gullet means covering said pivotal mounting of said nozzle means to reduce flow disturbances, said gullet having a portion fixed to one of said duct outlet portions or nozzle means and a portion slidably in contact with the other one of said duct or nozzle means, and means to apply the jet engine exhaust flow to driving said fan.

Claim 13

In an aircraft having a jet propulsion engine the improvement of means operable to apply the exhaust flow of said jet engine to powering the flight of the aircraft in normal cruise flight and in vertical take-off and landing flight, said improved means including a flow directing duct having inlet and outlet portions normally in axial alignment for cruise flight, a flow impelling fan in said duct inlet portion, flow directing nozzle means pivotally mounted in said duct outlet portion for movement between positions in which the outlet flow is directed selectively at an angle to the normAl axis of said duct, wherein the mounting of said nozzle means comprises pivot means disposed within the outline of said duct outlet portion, gullet means covering said pivotal mounting of said nozzle means to reduce flow disturbances, said gullet having a portion fixed to one of said duct outlet portions or nozzle means and a portion slidably in contact with the other one of said duct or nozzle means, and means to apply the jet engine exhaust flow to driving said fan.

Claim 14

The improvement set forth in claim 8 wherein said outlet portion of said flow directing duct is rotatable about the axis of alignment of said inlet and outlet portions and relative to said inlet portion whereby said duct outlet portion and nozzle means in said selective angular positions are effective for aircraft yaw control.

Claim 15

The improvement set forth in claim 8 wherein said duct inlet portion adjacent said fan has a predetermined diameter, and said nozzle means is mounted in said duct outlet portion for movement about an axis located aft of said fan a distance substantially equal to or less than said duct predetermined diameter.

Claim 16

The improvement set forth in claim 8 wherein said nozzle means includes a nozzle bucket and hood means movable about a common pivot axis, separate means operatively connected to said bucket and hood means to move said bucket and hood means into said flow directing positions, said separate means connected to said bucket being operable to modulate the position of said bucket independently of said hood means.

Claim 17

In an aircraft having a jet propulsion engine the improvement of means operable to apply the exhaust flow of said jet engine to powering the flight of the aircraft in normal cruise flight and in vertical take-off and landing flight, said improved means including a flow directing duct having inlet and outlet portions normally in axial alignment for cruise flight, a flow impelling fan in said duct inlet portion, flow directing nozzle means pivotally mounted in said duct outlet portion for movement between positions in which the outlet flow is directed selectively at an angle to the normal axis of said duct, said flow directing nozzle means including a series of hoods of circular configuration and sized to fit together in nested relation to direct the flow along the normal axis for cruise flight and to swing outwardly from each other about a common axis located within the outline of the assembly to direct the flow at an angle to the normal axis for cruise flight, one of said series of hoods defining a diffuser chamber and being fixed to said duct outlet portion and means to apply the jet engine exhaust flow to driving said fan.

Claim 18

In an aircraft having a jet propulsion engine the improvement of means operable to apply the exhaust flow of said jet engine to powering the flight of the aircraft in normal cruise flight and in vertical take-off and landing flight, said improved means including a flow directing duct having inlet and outlet portions normally in axial alignment for cruise flight, a flow impelling fan in said duct inlet portion, flow directing nozzle means pivotally mounted in said duct outlet portion for movement between positions in which the outlet flow is directed selectively at an angle to the normal axis of said duct, said flow directing nozzle means including a series of hoods of circular configuration and sized to fit together in nested relation to direct the flow along the normal axis for cruise flight and to swing outwardly from each other about a common axis located within the outline of the assembly to direct the flow at an angle to the normal axis for cruise flight, one of said series of hoods defining a diffuser chamber and being fixed to said duct outlet portion and means to apply the jet engine exhaust flow to driving said fan.

Claim 19

The improvement set forth in claim 12 wherein said duct outlet portion has circular configuration with a fixed circular hood extending in the direction of the outlet flow, said hood being notched along its lower side, pivot brackets carried by said duct outlet portion within said hood and adjacent said hood notch, said flow directing nozzle means being supported from said pivot brackets and gullet means operatively spanning the zone of the pivot connection between said nozzle means and said pivot brackets.

Claim 20

The improvement set forth in claim 13 wherein said gullet means includes an internal gullet exposed to the flow through said duct outlet portion, and an external gullet exposed to ambient flow.

Claim 21

The improvement set forth in claim 14 wherein said internal gullet includes a preformed sheet to fit the circular contour of said duct outlet portion, and a plurality of strips extending over said pivot zone, said strips being operable to adjust positions across the chordal width of said duct covered by said sheet, and said sheet and strips being flexible.

Claim 22

A deflector apparatus for a gas stream normally flowing axially through a tubular duct having a plurality of gas stream direction controlling means operably mounted on said duct for movement between stored position in nested relation without deflecting the gas sTream axial flow and a gas stream deflecting position with said means extended, said flow deflector apparatus comprises pivot means carried in the duct and extending along a chord at one side of the gas stream, a plurality of gas flow direction controlling means, means operably connecting said plurality of direction controlling means to said pivot means, and flexible gullet means bridging the pivot means at one side of the gas stream, said flexible gullet means assuming a position within the duct to smooth the gas stream flow in the zone of said pivot means carried in said duct.

Claim 23

A deflector apparatus for a gas stream normally flowing axially through a tubular duct having a plurality of gas stream direction controlling means operably mounted on said duct for movement between stored position in nested relation without deflecting the gas sTream axial flow and a gas stream deflecting position with said means extended, said flow deflector apparatus comprises pivot means carried in the duct and extending along a chord at one side of the gas stream, a plurality of gas flow direction controlling means, means operably connecting said plurality of direction controlling means to said pivot means, and flexible gullet means bridging the pivot means at one side of the gas stream, said flexible gullet means assuming a position within the duct to smooth the gas stream flow in the zone of said pivot means carried in said duct.

Claim 24

The improvement of claim 16 wherein said gullet means has a portion fixed to one of said duct and direction controlling means and a portion slidably in contact with the other one of said duct and direction controlling means.

Claim 25

Apparatus for vectoring a fluid flow comprising a fluid flow impelling fan, a duct surrounding said fan to confine the fluid flow normally to a path substantially axially aft of said fan, flow confining hood means carried by said duct aft of said fan, said hood means having a notched portion along its lower side, pivot brackets carried by said duct within said duct and adjacent said hood notched portion, and other hood means operatively mounted on said pivot brackets and cooperating with said first mentioned hood means to form a flow directing nozzle having a first position corresponding to said normal path of fluid flow axially aft of said fan and having a second position in which the hood means have portions movable into said notched portion and cooperate to define a passage diverting the fluid flow at an angle to said normal axial path.

Claim 26

Apparatus for vectoring a fluid flow comprising a fluid flow impelling fan, a duct surrounding said fan to confine the fluid flow normally to a path substantially axially aft of said fan, flow confining hood means carried by said duct aft of said fan, said hood means having a notched portion along its lower side, pivot brackets carried by said duct within said duct and adjacent said hood notched portion, and other hood means operatively mounted on said pivot brackets and cooperating with said first mentioned hood means to form a flow directing nozzle having a first position corresponding to said normal path of fluid flow axially aft of said fan and having a second position in which the hood means have portions movable into said notched portion and cooperate to define a passage diverting the fluid flow at an angle to said normal axial path.