Patent US3889882A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3889882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retractable sound suppressor for a gas turbine engine
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1974-03-25
•
Granted: 1975-06-17
•
Expires: 1994-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A retractable sound suppressor is provided for the exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine wherein a plurality of retractable sound suppressor chutes may be operated by a single actuator in synchronization with a plurality of variable nozzle flaps to maintain the effective area of the engine exhaust nozzle substantially unchanged during both the operative and inoperative modes of operation for the sound suppressor.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Thomas Neil Hull
- 👤 James Leroy Nye
- 👤 William Steyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:11
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K1/00; F02K1/40; F02K1/42; B; B64; B64D; B64D33/00; B64D33/04; B64D33/06; F02K1/06; F02K1/15; F02K1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A retractable sound suppressor for the exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine comprising: a plurality of circumferentially spaced variable nozzle flaps disposed for rotation about the aft end of the exhaust duct to provide a variable area nozzle; a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart divider chutes disposed for rotation about the aft end of the exhaust duct, each chute of which may be rotated between an inoperative position clear of the exhaust duct and an operative position wherein the chute radiates transversely of the duct; single actuator means centrally disposed in the gas turbine engine for synchronously rotating the variable nozzle flaps and divider chutes such that the outer radial tips of the divider chutes engage respective nozzle flaps when the divider chutes are in the operative position to thereby substantially maintain the same effective nozzle area for the suppressed and nonsuppressed modes of operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A retractable sound suppressor for the exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine comprising: a plurality of circumferentially spaced variable nozzle flaps disposed for rotation about the aft end of the exhaust duct to provide a variable area nozzle; a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart divider chutes disposed for rotation about the aft end of the exhaust duct, each chute of which may be rotated between an inoperative position clear of the exhaust duct and an operative position wherein the chute radiates transversely of the duct; single actuator means centrally disposed in the gas turbine engine for synchronously rotating the variable nozzle flaps and divider chutes such that the outer radial tips of the divider chutes engage respective nozzle flaps when the divider chutes are in the operative position to thereby substantially maintain the same effective nozzle area for the suppressed and nonsuppressed modes of operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The retractable sound suppressor of claim 1 wherein each divider chute includes an inwardly extending lever arm by which the chute may be rotated and further comprising first connecting means interconnecting the actuator means with the lever arms, and second connecting means interconnecting the actuator means with the variable nozzle flaps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
The retractable sound suppressor of claim 2 wherein: the actuating means is a linear actuator having an actuator rod extending therefrom, the first connecting means includes a unison cone disposed for translation with the actuator rod and rotatably connecting to a plurality of circumferentially spaced links at the outer periphery thereof wherein the opposing ends of the links connect to respective lever arms from the divider chutes, and the second connecting means includes a unison ring disposed for translation with the actuator rod and rotatably connecting to a second plurality of circumferentially spaced links which extend through the exhaust duct into rotatable connection with respective lever arms from the variable nozzle flaps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
The retractable sound suppressor of claim 2 including a plurality of seal strips interleaved between the variable flaps wherein the trailing edges of the nozzle flaps and seal strips are indented, said indentations conforming generally to the cross-sectional shape of the outer radial tips of the divider chutes and aligning with the outer radial tips of the divider chutes when the chutes are rotated into the operative position thus permitting ram air to enter the divider chutes through the indentations and flow radially inward and then outward of the chutes so as to reduce the drag of the chutes and increase performance efficiency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
The retractable sound suppressor of claim 2 wherein the exhaust duct is defined generally between inner and outer annular wall members and the nozzle flaps are disposed for rotation about the aft end of the outer wall member with the divider chutes pivotally connected to The aft end of the inner wall member and further including an exterior cowling spaced apart from the outer wall member so as to define an annular plenum therebetween for the receipt of an inlet cooling airflow to cool the exterior cowling.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
The retractable sound suppressor of claim 5 including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart hollow struts extending radially between the inner and outer wall members and a tailcone in downstream serial flow arrangement with the inner annular wall member wherein the leading edge of the tailcone is spaced radially inward of the inner wall member so as to define an annular ejection slot such that the cooling airflow from the plenum is directed radially inward through the hollow struts so as to cool the actuating means after which the cooling airflow is ejected through the annular ejection slot as a result of the locally depressed static pressure caused by the aspirating effect of the high velocity exhaust system exiting from the nozzle.
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) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |