Abstract: The external flaps of a variable exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine are attached to the nozzle by a pair of pivotal rods attached to the nozzle's internal support structure and slidably fits into elongated spaced bushings extending along the longitudinal axis of the flaps formed in bosses extending orthogonally from the inner surface of the flaps. The attachment to the support structure includes a unison ball made from composite material that fits into a spherical track formed in a recess in the end of the rods. The method of installation is to insert one of the post into the first bushing that is offset from the second bushing. After the slight engagement of the first post, the second post is pivoted to align with its complementary bushing and the flap is positioned forward to fully engage the rods into the bushings. The aft end hinge of the flap is then attached, A limit pin that is attached to the post travels in a slot designed to limit the travel of the post.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine is provided which includes a plurality of flaps and an abradable coating. Each flap includes seal surfaces with depressions disposed therein. The flaps are disposed about a structure within the engine, and are pivotly attached to that structure. Adjacent flaps overlap along the seal surfaces, and movement of the nozzle causes relative motion between the adjacent flaps. The abradable coating is attached to the seal surfaces, and contact between adjacent flaps causes the abradable coating to abrade. The remaining abradable coating fills the depressions within the seal surfaces.

Abstract: A serviceable liner is provided comprising an outer wall, an inner wall, a plurality of standoffs disposed between the walls, and a plurality of attachment assemblies for attaching the walls to one another. The outer wall includes a plurality of first apertures. The inner wall includes a plurality of sections, each section having at least one second aperture. Each attachment assembly includes a fastener and an insert. An insert is received within each first aperture and a fastener is received within each insert.

Abstract: A liner for a gas turbine engine is provided which includes an outer wall, an inner wall, a plurality of standoffs, a plurality of attachment assemblies, and a plurality of tapered ribs. The inner wall sections each have a first edge and a second edge. The standoffs are attached to the inner wall sections, and separate the inner and outer walls. The attachment assemblies fix at least one standoff, per inner wall section, to the outer wall section. Each tapered rib has a pair of surfaces tapering from a greater end to a lesser end. The tapered ribs are attached to the outer wall, with the lesser end is in contact with the outer wall and the tapered surfaces disposed between, and in contact with, adjacent inner wall sections.

Abstract: An improved flameholder for a thrust augmentation combustor includes a toroidal pilot gutter and inner and outer radial gutters, all having U-shaped cross-section and formed from a single piece of metal. The one-piece formation enables design improvements and variations which were not possible in the multiple piece construction of the prior art.

Abstract: Damping of the leading edge of a cantilevered mounted liner for the augmentor of a gas turbine engine is obtained by incorporating a generally annular shaped member having a U-shaped cross section and encapsulating the leading edge of the liner in the U-shaped portion of the annular member. A split ring may be included in the U-shaped portion to augment the damping function.

Abstract: An axisymmetric thrust vectoring exhaust nozzle includes a plurality of divergent flaps (30) each supported at the upstream end by a universal joint (32) and at the downstream end by a load link (34) connected to a unison ring (36) positioned by actuators (45).

Abstract: A variable area convergent divergent nozzle has floating divergent flaps which shift from a low mode to a high mode depending on internal and external pressure. The lost motion connection which permits this is biased to retain the appropriate mode for long term cruise conditions, to reduce ovalization of the nozzle, and to stabilize and/or dampen vibrations.

Abstract: A partial swirl augmentor for a turbofan engine having an annular duct for directing hot gases into the augmentor combustion chamber. Located within the combustion chamber is a piloted vee-gutter flameholder system which has a circumferential pilot located at the outer edge of the swirlng hot turbine exhaust gas stream. As a result thereof, the partial swirl augmentor can attain state-of-the art engine after burning thrust levels with an increased altitude blow-out limit.

Abstract: A heat shield assembly 10 for attachment to an afterburner liner 18. The heat shield assembly 10 comprises a clamp 14 and an optional support bracket 16 which hold a carbon-carbon panel 12 adjacent to the liner 18. The carbon-carbon panel shields a damaged area 20 of the liner in order to extend the liner's service life.