US3875742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas turbine ducted fan engine
Assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
•
Filing: 1973-03-21
•
Granted: 1975-04-08
•
Expires: 1993-03-21
Abstract
Abstract The fan duct of a ducted fan gas turbine engine terminates in a nozzle and a flow splitter is provided which splits the flow through the nozzle into radially outer and inner flow paths. The radially inner flow path terminates in an exit plane downstream of that of the radially outer flow path and is defined between the splitter and the fan duct inner casing. The downstream end of the splitter is provided with a plurality of flaps which are pivotable about their upstream ends to vary the area of the inner flow passage. Additionally, a segment of the splitter, which includes the flaps, is pivotable about a point between its ends to act as a blocker door to divert air flowing down the duct, out of the duct through passages in the duct outer wall.
Inventors
- 👤 David Roberts Mcmurtry
- 👤 Kelvin Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:44
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K1/00; F02K1/54; F02K1/64; F02K1/70; F02K1/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A gas turbine ducted fan engine comprising an annular fan duct; means for defining outlets in the fan duct wall, the fan duct terminating at its downstream end in a nozzle, and within which is disposed an annular flow splitter; means for spacing the splitter radially from the fan duct wall to divide the nozzle into radially inner and outer flow passages which terminate in exit planes, the exit plane of the radially inner flow passage lying downstream of the exit plane of the radially outer flow passage, at least a portion of the splitter being circumferentially divided into a plurality of flaps and there being provided means for pivoting the flaps to vary the area of at least one of the flow passages of the nozzle characterized in that each flap forms at least a portion of a splitter segment and further means are provided for pivoting each segment about a point between its ends to close off the fan duct so as to be capable of diverting air flowing along the duct through said outlets in the fan duct wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A gas turbine ducted fan engine comprising an annular fan duct; means for defining outlets in the fan duct wall, the fan duct terminating at its downstream end in a nozzle, and within which is disposed an annular flow splitter; means for spacing the splitter radially from the fan duct wall to divide the nozzle into radially inner and outer flow passages which terminate in exit planes, the exit plane of the radially inner flow passage lying downstream of the exit plane of the radially outer flow passage, at least a portion of the splitter being circumferentially divided into a plurality of flaps and there being provided means for pivoting the flaps to vary the area of at least one of the flow passages of the nozzle characterized in that each flap forms at least a portion of a splitter segment and further means are provided for pivoting each segment about a point between its ends to close off the fan duct so as to be capable of diverting air flowing along the duct through said outlets in the fan duct wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A gas turbine ducted fan engine according to claim 1 and wherein the flaps form the downstream ends of said splitter segments, the means for pivoting the flaps comprising means for pivoting them about their upstream ends independently of the further means for pivoting the segments and wherein the flaps and the segments as a whole pivot about the same pivot axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
A gas turbine ducted fan engine according to claim 2 and wherein pivoting of the splitter segments about a point between their ends is caused by drag links which include means for pivotably connecting them at one of their ends to the splitter segments, and means for pivotably connecting them at the other of their ends to a movable portion of the outer wall of the fan duct, means being provided for translating said movable wall portion axially of the fan duct to cover and uncover said outlets in the fan duct wall and simultaneously to cause pivoting of the splitter segments by means of the drag links.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A gas turbine ducted fan engine according to claim 1, and wherein the flaps are pivotable about their upstream end by means of a piston-in-cylinder arrangement which is supplied with fluid under pressure to cause pivoting movement of the flaps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A gas turbine ducted fan engine according to claim 4, and wherein each flap is provided at its upstream end with an integral piston which slides in a toroidal cylinder in the splitter segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A gas turbine ducted fan engine according to claim 4, and wherein the splitter is supported from the fan duct inner wall by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
A gas turbine ducted fan engine according to claim 4, wherein the splitter is supported from the fan duct inner wall by means of a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes and wherein said vanes are hollow and ducting is provided for conveying said fluid under pressure from the engine to the piston-in-cylinder arrangement, and wherein said ducting passes through the hollow vanes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2947499A
Cited
US3303653A
Cited
US3500646A
Cited
US3608314A
Cited
US3599432A
Cited
US3598318A
Cited
US3601992A
Cited
US3747341A
Cited
US3721389A
Cited
US3792584A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |