Abstract: A steerable nozzle for a reaction engine comprises a fixed portion (1) for connection to the engine, a plurality of steerable flaps (21) mounted on one end (11) of the fixed portion, and flap steering means (3, 4, 22, 31). The nozzle is characterized in that the flap steering means comprise a resilient ring (3) having a first circumference secured to said end (11) of the fixed portion and a second circumference connected to the flaps (21), and control means (4) for moving the second circumference of the resilient ring.

Abstract: An axisymmetric, converging-diverging exhaust nozzle swiveled by a guided vectoring ring (20). The guides comprise three axial apertures (44) which are each located in a base firmly joined to relatively fixed structure and of which the center planes intersect along the longitudinal axis of the turbojet-engine. The side walls (45) of the apertures (43) guide three mutually equidistant spherical rollers (41) fastened to radial stubs (40) firmly affixed to the vectoring ring (20).

Abstract: An axisymmetric, converging-diverging turbojet-engine exhaust nozzle for jet deflection. The diverging flaps are connected by linkrods to a vectoring ring (13). The vectoring ring (13) is driven by linear actuators (20) anchored in the stationary structure (2). The linear actuators (20) are connected by a swivel (22) to the vectoring ring (13) and are affixed to the stationary structure (2) to absorb the tangential loads applied by the exhaust gases on the diverging flaps and to allow positioning the vectoring ring (13). Preferably the linear actuator (20) is connected by a sheath (25) to the vectoring ring (13), the sheath (25) slidable on the actuator case (26) and being displaceable in a radial plane passing through the turbojet-engine's axis.

Abstract: A nozzle for a gas turbine engine is provided which includes an outer casing, a convergent section, a divergent section, an external fairing, and a collapsible seal member. The divergent section has an aft end and a forward end, and the forward end of the divergent section is pivotally attached to the convergent section. The external fairing has an aft end and a forward end. The forward end of the external fairing is pivotally attached to the outer casing and the aft end of the external fairing is pivotally attached to the aft end of the divergent section. The external fairing is disposed radially outside of the divergent section. The collapsible seal member extends between the outer casing and the divergent section, circumferentially around and outside of the divergent section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wide-vectoring, axisymmetric turbojet-engine exhaust nozzle including vectoring structure (12) supporting a plurality of converging flaps (21). The vectoring structure is mounted on the downstream end of an exhaust housing (2) by means of an intermediate ring (9) which is pivotable about a first axis relative to the exhaust housing (2) and further about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and relative to the vectoring structure (12). The converging flaps (21) hinge on the downstream end of the vectoring structure (12). A single drive ring (27) controlled by three linear actuators (28) and linked by linkrods (24) to the converging flaps (21) controls the tipping of the vectoring structure (12) and the kinematics of the flaps (21).

Abstract: The horsepower requirements for the actuation system for a convergent/divergent exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine is reduced by the judicious selection of the crank arms and their location on a torque shaft that rotates to move a connecting link attached to the convergent flap of the nozzle. A pressure balancing hood is attached to the top surface on the forward end of the convergent flap to augment the lowering of the horsepower requirements. In another embodiment a tie rod/end cup arrangement and two piece torque shaft are utilized for ease of removal of the actuation system from the exhaust nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A device comprises a bellows with protective rings arranged between corrugations of the bellows. Support rings are connected in a sealed manner to a gas line and a combustion chamber. A gimbal ring is positioned outside the bellows and via hinges is connected to structural brackets with support rings. A shield is mounted inside the bellows, the shield consisting of two cylindrical envelopes telescopically inserted one in another with a gap. The cylindrical envelopes are fixed in cantilever to support rings, forming a chamber which via channels for feeding a cooling working medium made in the support rings is connected to a main line for feeding the cooling working medium, and via the gap between the envelopes—to the cavity of the bellows unit. A housing is arranged outside the protective rings and adjoining them, and is made in the form of a metallic cylindrical helix, the ends of which are connected to the support rings (FIG. 2).

Abstract: An axially symmetric turbojet-engine exhaust nozzle which is directable as a unit. The exhaust nozzle is situated downstream of an exhaust duct (1) fitted with a spherical wall (5). A single control ring (12) driven by linear actuators (30) allows regulation of the nozzle cross section and direction. Converging flaps (7) are guided on an upstream side by the spherical wall (5) and are supported at a downstream side by a control lever (13) which hinges on the control ring (12) and rests upstream on an external surface (16) of the spherical wall (5). Diverging flaps (10) hinge on the converging flaps (7) to form an inner ring of hot flaps. The diverging flaps (10) are situated downstream in an extension of the converging flaps (7) and further hinge on an outer ring of cold flaps (11), which in turn hinge on the control ring (12).

Abstract: A vectoring ring support and actuation apparatus is provided for transferring the side loads acting on a vectoring ring and generated by a gas turbine engine thrust vectoring nozzle to a relatively stationary portion of the engine and tilting the vectoring ring to vector the thrust of the nozzle. The apparatus includes an axially pivotable first link pivotably mounted on a relatively stationary first portion of the engine, an axially pivotable second link pivotably supported by and connected to the first link, and a vectoring ring connected to an aft end of the second link. An actuator is operably mounted between a relatively stationary second portion of the engine (spaced axially apart from the stationary first portion of the engine) and the second link to axially pivot the first link with respect. Preferably a first joint links the actuator to the second link and has at least first and second rotational degrees of freedom with corresponding first and second perpendicular axes of rotation.

Abstract: Three vectoring ring support and actuation apparatuses are disposed in an equi-angular manner circumferentially about the engine casing. Each of the vectoring ring support and actuation apparatuses includes a vectoring ring means to transfer side loads from the vectoring ring to the engine casing, a vectoring ring translation means for allowing the ring to be translated, and a support pivoting means and ring gimballing means to allow the vectoring ring attitude adjustments by a set of linear actuators. The vectoring ring support apparatus transfers side loads acting on a vectoring ring and generated by a gas turbine engine thrust vectoring nozzle to a relatively stationary portion of the engine and allows tilting of the vectoring ring to vector the thrust of the nozzle.

Abstract: A method controls the stroke of three circumferentially spaced apart actuators attached at respective joints to an actuation ring positionable to vector thrust in a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle. The circumferential angular location of each of the actuator joints is specified. And, the stroke for each of the actuators is independently calculated using the joint locations in response to pitch and yaw commands. The actuators are then operated to effect the respective strokes therefor to position the nozzle. In a preferred embodiment, the angular locations are specified once, and trigonometric functions thereof are calculated and stored in memory. The stored values may then be used subsequently in calculating stroke as the pitch and yaw commands change.

Abstract: A fitting (22) connected to an actuator member (18a) is mounted on a diverging portion (12) by means of inserts (32) designed to be placed and held in the wall of the diverging portion, and fixing means which comprises an elastically-deformable element (24) designed to compensate for any dimensional variations of thermal origin to maintain a force pressing the fitting (22) against the diverging portion (12). A thrust element (26) is connected to the inserts (32) in such a manner as to compress the elastically-deformable element (24) between the thrust element (26) and the fitting (22).