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US4809932A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Thrust vector control for aircraft

Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
•
Filing: 1987-12-17
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Granted: 1989-03-07
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Expires: 2007-12-17
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Abstract

Abstract The invention is directed to a thrust vector control for aircraft with one or more jet engines whose thrust nozzles have an adjustable size exist cross-section, each of the jet engines having a ring rudder axially spaced behind the engine and movable about at least one pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the engine's longitudinal axis. A substantially planar rudder plate is secured diagonally in the inside cross-section of the ring rudder for each plane defined by each pivot axis and the longitudinal axis of the engine. The rudder plate or plates each consist of a material which is stable at high temperatures without supplementary cooling and which is mechanically loadable, and the connection between the rudder plate or plates and the ring rudder each include a layer of elastic and thermo-insulating material.

Inventors

  • 👤 Werner Muller

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 10:04
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C15/00; B64C15/02; F; F02; F02K; F02K1/00; F02K1/002; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 141 words
A thrust vector control for an aircraft having at least one jet engine including a thrust nozzle having an at least approximately round, adjustable size exit cross-section, which thrust vector control comprises (a) a ring rudder arranged in an axially spaced relation rearwardly of said jet engine and movable about at least one pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said jet engine, (b) a substantially plane rudder plate secured by said ring rudder within the cross section of said ring rudder and extending within a plane defined by said at least one pivot axis and said longitudinal axis, (c) said rudder plate being made of a material stable at high temperatures and suitable for application of a mechanical load, and (d) a layer of elastic and thermo-insulating material arranged between said rudder plate and said ring rudder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 141 words
A thrust vector control for an aircraft having at least one jet engine including a thrust nozzle having an at least approximately round, adjustable size exit cross-section, which thrust vector control comprises (a) a ring rudder arranged in an axially spaced relation rearwardly of said jet engine and movable about at least one pivot axis extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said jet engine, (b) a substantially plane rudder plate secured by said ring rudder within the cross section of said ring rudder and extending within a plane defined by said at least one pivot axis and said longitudinal axis, (c) said rudder plate being made of a material stable at high temperatures and suitable for application of a mechanical load, and (d) a layer of elastic and thermo-insulating material arranged between said rudder plate and said ring rudder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The thrust vector control according to claim 1, wherein the plane of said rudder plate is parallel to one of the pitch or yaw axes of the aircraft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 55 words
The thrust vector control according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein (a) said rudder plate is made of carbon fiber reinforced carbon (CFC), and includes a ceramic layer sprayed on thermally for protection against oxidation, and (b) said layer of elastic and thermo-insulating material comprises a silicone rubber-based elastic, insulating and thermostable material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
The thrust vector control according either of claims 1 or 2, wherein (a) said aircraft includes an airframe and (b) a suspension structure is arranged between said ring rudder and the airframe of said aircraft.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2402418A Cited
US2686655A Cited
US2813396A Cited
US3024604A Cited
GB888943A Cited
US3281082A Cited
US3912202A Cited
US4643374A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-03-06 1992-09-05 1993-03-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-03-06 1996-09-05 1997-03-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-03-06 2000-09-05 2001-03-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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