Abstract: An improved design for a structure such as a turbine vane or blade subjected to extreme temperature levels and/or gradients resulting in extreme deformation stresses within the structure. The present structures comprise an interior skeletal support having a plurality of spaced, flexible support legs which extend out and are attached to spaced areas of a flexible outer surface skin which is subjected to extreme temperature levels or temperature gradients during use. The extreme stresses normally developed by the expansion of the surface skin are avoided by the ability of the skin to move minutely and flex the spaced support legs to variable extents and in predetermined directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of suppressing infrared radiation emitted from hot metal parts at the aft end of a gas turbine engine and from the exhaust gas plume thereof is provided and such apparatus comprises a dual purpose ejector vane assembly operatively attached to the engine for introducing cooling ambient air into the hot engine exhaust gases and hiding the hot metal parts. The vane assembly has a duct structure for receiving and confining the engine exhaust gases and the assembly provides at least one stream of cooling ambient air across one full dimension of the duct structure and exhaust gases confined thereby with the stream of cooling ambient air mixing with the hot engine exhaust gases across the full dimension of the duct structure to assure optimum mixing thereof.