US3897907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exhaust nozzle structure
Assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
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Filing: 1974-04-25
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-04-25
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to variable area and variable divergence exhaust nozzles for gas turbine jet propulsion engines and is particularly concerned with providing a means of counterbalancing the gas loads which have to be overcome when operating such nozzles. In one arrangement of the invention, an exhaust nozzle comprises a plurality of flap assemblies, each assembly being pivoted at its upstream end to the downstream end portion of a jet pipe, each flap assembly and the jet pipe downstream end portion defining in combination a pocket which is arranged to receive a supply of high pressure gas. A region of high pressure is thus created in the pocket which counteracts the radially outward pressure exerted by the normal gas flow through the nozzle.
Inventors
- 👤 Rowan Herbert Colley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:13
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K1/00; F02K1/06; F02K1/12; F05; F05D; F05D2260/00; F05D2260/15; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A gas turbine engine jet pipe exhaust nozzle structure comprising: at least a set of movable throat defining flaps and a jet pipe downstream end portion having an inner surface and a terminal edge, each of said flaps of said set having an upstream portion extending into and pivotally connected at its upstream end to the inner surface of said jet pipe downstream end portion at a position upstream of its terminal edge and a Downstream portion extending out of and downstream of said jet pipe downstream end portion; sealing means between said jet pipe downstream end portion at or adjacent its terminal end and each of said flaps, said upstream portion of said flaps and said jet pipe downstream end portion defining a pocket; and means for supplying a pressurized gas to said pocket which acts on the upstream portion of each of said flaps to counteract radially outward pressure exerted on each of said flaps by normal gas flow through the nozzle structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A gas turbine engine jet pipe exhaust nozzle structure comprising: at least a set of movable throat defining flaps and a jet pipe downstream end portion having an inner surface and a terminal edge, each of said flaps of said set having an upstream portion extending into and pivotally connected at its upstream end to the inner surface of said jet pipe downstream end portion at a position upstream of its terminal edge and a Downstream portion extending out of and downstream of said jet pipe downstream end portion; sealing means between said jet pipe downstream end portion at or adjacent its terminal end and each of said flaps, said upstream portion of said flaps and said jet pipe downstream end portion defining a pocket; and means for supplying a pressurized gas to said pocket which acts on the upstream portion of each of said flaps to counteract radially outward pressure exerted on each of said flaps by normal gas flow through the nozzle structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A nozzle structure as claimed in claim 1 including sealing means between adjacent flaps of said set, said sealing means including a plurality of hinged plates overlapping any space between adjacent flaps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A nozzle structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said sealing means between the jet pipe downstream end portion and each of said flaps includes a segmented ring mounted on the jet pipe downstream end portion and urged into contact with each of said flaps, each segment of said ring overlapping any space between adjacent flaps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A nozzle structure as claimed in claim 3 in which said sealing means between the jet pipe downstream end portion and each of said flaps further includes a transverse wall on each of said flaps which sealingly cooperates with said jet pipe downstream end portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A nozzle structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said sealing means between the jet pipe downstream end portion and each of said flaps includes a transverse wall on each of said flaps which sealingly cooperates with said jet pipe downstream end portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A nozzle structure as claimed in claim 1 in which each of said flaps of said set comprises a primary flap member and a secondary flap member, the primary and secondary flap members being pivotally joined together with the upstream end of the primary flap member being pivotally secured to the jet pipe downstream end portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A nozzle structure as claimed in claim 6 in which said sealing means includes a transverse wall on each of said secondary flap members which sealingly cooperates with said jet pipe downstream end portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A nozzle structure as claimed in claim 6 in which each of said secondary flap members has a slave flap which overlaps any space between adjacent flaps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A nozzle structure as claimed in claim 6 including an actuating mechanism comprising a plurality of external flap members pivotally connected to said secondary flap members, each external flap member being axially moveable to cause each of said secondary flap members to pivot with respect to its respective primary flap member and thereby vary the divergence of the secondary flap members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A nozzle structure as claimed in claim 9 including circumferentially arranged actuating means operatively connected to said set of flaps to vary the circumferential distance between adjacent flaps of the set and thereby cause the primary and secondary flap members to pivot with respect to the jet pipe downstream end portion so that the throat area of the nozzle is varied.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A nozzle structure as claimed in claim 1 in which each of said flaps is a one-piece member and including means to actuate the same, said last-mentioned means comprising an axially movable ring, a roller mounted on each of said flaps and engaging said ring.
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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |