Particular Exhaust Nozzle Feature Patents (Class 60/770)
  • Patent number: 7617685
    Abstract: A quick change connection is provided for attaching a bracket and liner subassembly to convergent flaps and seals in an adjustable nozzle for a gas turbine engine. A threaded attachment member has a t-shaped head that is secured to prevent rotation by a washer. The washer is held in place in the convergent flaps and seals by spring fingers in a slot. By utilizing the washer, a simple threaded connection can be utilized even though the threaded attachment member must extend to a radially outer surface of the convergent flaps and seals, while a nut is threaded onto the threaded attachment member radially inwardly of the convergent flaps and seals. The washer prevents rotation of a head of the threaded attachment member, and thus allows the nut to be easily tightened to secure the components. This also facilitates maintenance as the threaded nut can be easily removed from the threaded attachment for replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard F. Norman, Kyle J. Osga
  • Publication number: 20090277181
    Abstract: A propulsion unit includes at least one exhaust pipe (62, 76) that includes an air discharge that is delimited by a trailing edge (78, 82). The end part of the exhaust pipe (62, 76) includes two scalloped shapes (84) that each correspond to a preferred acoustic radiation direction, separated by advanced parts (86) that can limit the acoustic radiation, whereby the scalloped shapes are offset upward relative to the horizontal median plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: AIRBUS FRANCE, SOCIETE PAR ACTIONS SIMPLIFIEE
    Inventors: Yann Druon, Frederic Chelin, Fabrice Gantie
  • Patent number: 7607306
    Abstract: A method for suppressing infrared radiation from an engine of an aircraft operating in an environment includes directing hot exhaust from the aircraft engine into a lobed mixer of a single baffle infrared suppressor having a collapsible, translatable baffle to generate alternating flows of hot exhaust gas and cold air. The method further includes directing the alternating flows of hot exhaust gas and cold air towards the single baffle assembly to mix the hot exhaust gas with the cold air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Steyer, Christopher Marlow Kieffer, Walter J. Tingle
  • Patent number: 7607305
    Abstract: A method for suppressing infrared radiation from an aircraft engine includes directing hot exhaust from the aircraft engine into a lobed mixer of a single baffle infrared suppressor having a single baffle assembly to generate alternating flows of hot exhaust gas and cold air. The method further includes directing the alternating flows of hot exhaust gas and cold air towards the single baffle assembly to mix the hot exhaust gas with the cold air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Steyer, Christopher Marlow Kieffer, John Michael Jasany
  • Patent number: 7600384
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust nozzle for a bypass turbomachine, the nozzle comprising a central body, a primary cowl surrounding the central body to define a primary channel, and a secondary cowl surrounding the primary cowl to define a secondary annular channel, the secondary cowl comprising a stationary portion and a movable portion disposed to extend the stationary portion and capable of moving longitudinally upstream and downstream relative to the stationary portion and relative to the primary cowl so as to vary the exhaust section and/or the throat section of the nozzle, the stationary portion of the secondary cowl presenting a plurality of spaced-apart repetitive patterns disposed extending its trailing edge, and the movable portion of the secondary cowl including in its outside surface a plurality of indentations of shapes complementary to the patterns of the stationary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Philippe Gerard Chanez, Kamel Zeggai
  • Patent number: 7596951
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes a nozzle casing having top and bottom walls and side walls. A liner is provided within the nozzle casing to define a cooling passage. The top and bottom walls each include mutually inclined planar wall portions which meet at respective creases. The creases increase the rigidity of the top and bottom walls. In addition, the inclined wall portions cause the cooling passage to taper in the direction outwardly from the creases, so assisting in the cooling air distribution over the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Ian A Mitchell, Michael J Westlake
  • Patent number: 7587899
    Abstract: The proposed adaptive exhaust nozzle features an innovative use of the shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators for actively control of the opening area of the exhaust nozzle for jet engines. The SMA actuators remotely control the opening area of the exhaust nozzle through a set of mechanism. An important advantage of using SMA actuators is the reduction of weight of the actuator system for variable area exhaust nozzle. Another advantage is that the SMA actuator can be activated using the heat from the exhaust and eliminate the need of other energy source. A prototype has been designed and fabricated. The functionality of the proposed SMA actuated adaptive exhaust nozzle is verified in the open-loop tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: University of Houston
    Inventors: Gangbing Song, Ning Ma
  • Publication number: 20090217670
    Abstract: An aircraft engine exhaust nozzle basesheet includes longitudinally extending plurality of basesheet segments having panel bodies between segment leading and trailing edges and slidable sealing joints with slidingly un-restrained center surfaces between adjacent segment leading and trailing edges. Segmented first and second basesheet side edges include first and second segment side edges of the basesheet segments respectively. Slidably sealingly engaged overlapping flanges at the segment leading and trailing edges include tacked together transversely spaced apart first and second distal ends of the overlapping flanges. A basesheet assembly includes a frame includes first and second side rails supporting the first and second basesheet side edges. An aircraft gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle includes divergent seals with the basesheet assemblies in sealing engagement against divergent flaps along the first and second side rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Darrell Glenn Senile, Valentine Robert Boehm, JR., Bernard James Renggli
  • Patent number: 7581382
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine air valve assembly has first and second valving elements. The second element is rotatable about a first axis relative to the first element. The rotation controls a flow of air through the first and second elements. An actuator is coupled by a linkage to the second element. A plurality of follower member assemblies each have an insertion portion extending through a corresponding first aperture in the first valving element and a corresponding second aperture in the second element. The insertion portion is circumferentially fixed relative to one of the first and second valving elements and circumferentially moveable relative to the other of the first and second valving elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Sadil, Joseph F. Englehart
  • Patent number: 7581384
    Abstract: The invention relates to an annular cover for a turbomachine nozzle, the cover having a plurality of patterns extending a trailing edge of said cover and spaced apart circumferentially from one another, each pattern having an outline that is substantially triangular in shape, with a base formed by a portion of the trailing edge of the cover and a vertex spaced downstream from the base and connected thereto by two sides. For each pattern, the vertex presents an outline that is substantially curved; each side is connected to the trailing edge of the cover following an outline that is substantially curved having a radius of curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of the outline of the vertex; and the outline of each of the sides includes at least one point of inflexion having a tangent that is substantially parallel to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Dax Au, Pascal Moise Michel Bigot, Pierre Briend, Pierre Philippe Marie Loheac
  • Patent number: 7581399
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a suspension system for mounting an exhaust duct liner within an exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine. An exhaust liner suspension system comprises a hanger, a bracket and a coil pin. The hanger comprises a first end for connecting with an exhaust duct and a second end having a hinge pin socket. The bracket comprises a base for connecting with an exhaust duct liner and a pedestal having a hinge pin bore. The coil pin is insertable in the hinge pin socket and the hinge pin bore thereby pivotably connecting the hanger and the bracket. The coil pin also provides a dampened connection between the hanger and the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorge I. Farah, Michael E. Nackoul, José M. Cintrón
  • Patent number: 7581400
    Abstract: A propulsion gas exhaust assembly is presented for use in an aircraft propelled by hot gases produced along the axis of the latter by a gas generator. The assembly may include a first cylindrical duct, two second ducts, two third ducts, and two axial gas-ejection nozzles. The first cylindrical duct element receives the gases downstream of the gas generator. The gasses flow downstream from the first cylindrical duct element to two second duct elements. These two second duct elements are divergent in a first geometric plane. Each of the two second duct elements may guide the flow to their own respective third duct and nozzle. The third ducts may include elbows to assist in stealth. The nozzles may include the means to steer the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Edgar Brunet, Thomas Daris, Alain Pierre Page, Jackie Raymond Julien Prouteau
  • Publication number: 20090211258
    Abstract: Improved rocket nozzle designs for vehicles with nozzles embedded in or protruding from surfaces remote from the desired thrust axis. The nozzle configurations are for rocket vehicles where the nozzles are not located at the optimal thrust axis of the vehicle. Two examples include nozzles located on the forward end of the vehicle (also called tractor nozzles) and attitude control nozzles located on the periphery of the vehicle. More particularly, the disclosed nozzle shapes enhance the axial thrusts and/or maneuver torques on the vehicle. These unconventional nozzle shapes improve vehicle performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Melvin J. Bulman
  • Patent number: 7578133
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle assembly includes a plurality of interfitting flap assemblies that are moveable between a maximum area ratio and a minimum area ratio. Each of the pluralities of flap assemblies includes a slot and a wing. The wing fits within an adjacent slot of an adjacent flap assembly. Each of the flap assemblies includes a divergent element that provides a specific geometric shape forming the trailing edge surfaces. The flap element is attached to the divergent element and extends to a static structure. The flap element and the divergent element combine to form a continuous faceted outer surface of the exhaust nozzle assembly substantially void of gaps throughout the range of motion between the maximum and minimum area ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jaime A. Arbona, Meggan Harris, James Allore, Steven Laporte
  • Patent number: 7578132
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle arrangement for the flow of exhaust gases therethrough between an upstream end and a downstream end thereof comprising a nozzle and a plurality of tabs which extend in a generally axial direction from a downstream portion of the nozzle wherein the nozzle further comprises an actuation mechanism capable of moving the tabs between a first deployed position, where the tabs interact with a gas stream to reduce exhaust noise thereof, and a second non-deployed position, where the tabs are substantially aerodynamically unobtrusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: John R Webster
  • Publication number: 20090199565
    Abstract: An engine exhaust nozzle comprises a plurality of CMC staves attached to one or more support rings arranged axially. The support rings provide a circumferential load path between the staves and for attaching the exhaust nozzle to the metallic engine components. The staves are fixed to the support rings with a spacing intended to accommodate for relative movement due to the difference in CTE for the CMC and metallic components and due to thermal gradients through the wall thickness. The resulting apparatus is lightweight, relieves the nozzle of thermal stresses, and is easier to manufacture and repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: John Joseph Brown, William Preston Keith
  • Patent number: 7568348
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for thrust or thrust vector control of a rocket or ramjet, comprising an elongated nozzle housing and a pair of vane members mounted for pivotal movement within a central portion of the nozzle housing. The vane members extend vertically or transversely between the upper and lower portions of the nozzle housing near the forward portion thereof, and extend longitudinally in the nozzle housing from the forward end portion thereof to a point near the rear end portion thereof. The vane members are pivotable about axes disposed between the forward and rear ends thereof, and are movable between an open position wherein they are in substantially parallel relation and a closed position wherein their forward ends are in engagement with each other and their rear ends are in engagement with the adjacent inner surface of the nozzle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Aerojet-General Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew C. McAllister, Daniel C. Dombrowski
  • Publication number: 20090178415
    Abstract: Extendible exhaust nozzle bell for rocket engine of aircraft or spacecraft includes a first part with smaller diameter fixedly arranged on motor of engine and a second part with larger diameter arranged in flexible manner with respect to first part. In a front stowed position, second part is located surrounding first part closer to the rocket motor and, in a rear operating position, first part is arranged further away from the rocket motor. A closed volume that can be acted on by a gaseous fluid causes an extension of the second part of the exhaust nozzle bell from the stowed position into the operating position. The closed volume is formed at least in part by a deformable rolling bellows arrangement coupled between the flexibly arranged second part of the exhaust nozzle bell and a fixed part of the rocket engine or of the aircraft or spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Kretschmer
  • Patent number: 7555905
    Abstract: A bleed valve for bleeding air from a compressed air chamber at start-up of a gas turbine engine is self-actuated. The bleed valve moves between open and closed positions based on the pressure within a compressed air chamber. In this manner, the bleed valve is driven to an open position at low pressure conditions and to a closed position once the pressure within the compressor chamber becomes higher and closer to operating pressures. In this manner, a relatively inexpensive and simple bleed valve can be utilized to provide the start-up bleed valve function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Alexandru Borcea
  • Patent number: 7555904
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching a liner to the divergent flaps and seals in a gas turbine engine convergent/divergent nozzle includes a rivet connection. There is clearance between a rivet and an opening in the bracket. This clearance allows for thermal expansion in both an axial and a radial invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle J. Osga, Edward A. Krystowski
  • Publication number: 20090162213
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid pumping ejector. The ejector includes a reservoir containing a primary fluid and a mixing duct. An ejector nozzle ejects the primary fluid from said reservoir into the mixing duct to entrain a secondary fluid and create a mixed flow with sufficient momentum and internal energy to achieve characteristic speed. A subsonic converging nozzle is coupled to the mixing duct downstream of the ejector nozzle and provides a characteristic cross section necessary for the mixed flow to achieve characteristic speed as it moves through said converging nozzle, thereby producing a standing shock wave at the point of maximum convergence of the nozzle. The ejector nozzle is fully-expanded, wherein exit speed of the primary fluid is supersonic and exit static pressure of the primary fluid is equal to secondary fluid pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Fabio G Grossi
  • Publication number: 20090145133
    Abstract: A turbine engine exhaust nozzle is disclosed that includes an exhaust liner having a first attachment structure. A liner support member includes a second attachment structure. A pin cooperates with the first and second attachment structures and is configured to secure the exhaust liner relative to the liner support member. The pin includes first and second dimensions that are different than one another. The pin is inserted into apertures provided by the attachment structures, in one example. The pin is oriented to position the first and second dimensions in a manner providing increased clearance within the apertures. The pin is rotated to load the components and firmly secure the liner to the liner support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Murphy
  • Publication number: 20090145134
    Abstract: The rocket engine nozzle system comprises a set of individual nozzles distributed in a ring around a central core of axially symmetrical shape that presents a central axis. Each individual nozzle placed at the periphery of the central core comprises a circular section throat for receiving gas from a combustion chamber, and a diverging portion that is tangential to the central core. The diverging portion has an outlet section that presents first and second lateral sides that converge radially towards the central axis of the central core, a curved outer side having its convex side facing outwards, and an inner side situated in the vicinity of the central core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Didier Vuillamy, Robert Gazave
  • Patent number: 7543452
    Abstract: A nozzle for a gas turbine engine is provided with undulations on a core and/or fan exhaust flow nozzle. An annular wall defines a fluid flow passage and includes a base portion and an adjoining exit portion. The base portion is typically generally frustoconical in shape and includes an arcuate contour in an axial direction. The exit portion includes undulations in a generally radial direction that provide lobes and troughs each respectively including trailing edges. One of the lobe and trough trailing edges are recessed from the other of the lobe and trough trailing edges in a generally axial direction. The other of the lobe and trough trailing edges form apexes with the apexes provided on tabs. The troughs extend radially inward in the axial direction towards the trough trailing edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ramons Andris Reba, Brian Ernest Wake, Satish Narayanan, Thierry Maeder
  • Patent number: 7543451
    Abstract: A shroud for an aircraft engine exhaust plume, the shroud being formed of a flexible material secured at one end to the exhaust nozzle and selectively extendable downstream with the exhaust plume so as to surround and shroud it, thereby to reduce infrared/radar/noise emissions from the aircraft engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventor: Nicholas G. R. Colosimo
  • Publication number: 20090133405
    Abstract: A fixed sized bell rocket nozzle is lined with a layer of combustible material that is ignited during launch ignition and burns to outgas into the rocket exhaust for spatially variably confining the exhaust and perfecting an effective variably sized altitude compensating exhaust nozzle that maximizes lift during the launch of a spacecraft into orbit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Gary F. Hawkins, John W. Murdock
  • Publication number: 20090133406
    Abstract: Varying the flowsection for air leaving the fan as a function of flying conditions. According to the invention, the nozzle has a ring of deformable panels arranged close to its trailing edge, each panel having a dual-strip type structure made up of two materials presenting different coefficients of expansion, together with controlled heater means that are thermally coupled to the set of panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Delphine Edith DIJOUD, Benoit Marc Michel Fauvelet, Thomas Alain Christian Vincent
  • Patent number: 7533533
    Abstract: The jet engine of the invention comprises an exhaust nozzle of variable section, comprising at least one flap pivot mounted about a pin, the pin being joined to the fixed structure of the jet engine via two braces each comprising a bore for housing the pin, the flap being pivot commanded by an actuating cylinder, connected to two fasteners which each comprise a bore through which the pin passes and about which they rotate. The jet engine is characterized by the fact that the pin, the bores of the braces and bores of the fasteners are arranged so that the contacts between the pin with the bore walls of the braces and with the bore walls of the fasteners are made over convex surfaces. Therefore, when in operation, in the event of pin bending the contact surfaces follow this convex shape and are suitably distributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Daniel Olivier Bainachi, Mathieu Dakowski, Olivier Kreder, Romain Lunel, Daniel Georges Plona
  • Publication number: 20090114740
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a turbine engine has a convergent portion for converging fluid flow from a turbine engine core. A divergent portion for diverging fluid flow from the turbine engine core is in fluid communication with the convergent portion. A conduit is in communication with a bypass fluid flow. The conduit has a thrust vectoring port located near the divergent portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Sean P. Zamora, Michael J. Murphy, Gary J. Dillard, Glenn R. Estes
  • Publication number: 20090100678
    Abstract: A method of fabrication of a rocket engine nozzle assembly using pressure brazing generally includes initially assembling a rocket engine nozzle liner into a rocket engine nozzle jacket for a rocket engine nozzle assembly. The rocket engine nozzle assembly may then be sealed. Prior to pressure brazing the rocket engine nozzle assembly, pressure brazing parameters may be determined. The pressure brazing may be performed with the determined pressure brazing parameters to complete the fabrication of the rocket engine nozzle. The rocket engine nozzle assembly may include a rocket engine nozzle jacket and a rocket engine nozzle liner having a plurality of channels, with the space between each channel defining a land, and the rocket engine nozzle liner having at least a pair of endlands disposed at each end thereof. The rocket engine nozzle liner is bonded to the rocket engine nozzle jacket by the endlands being bonded to the nozzle jacket and the lands being pressure brazed to the nozzle jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffry A. Fint, Michael B. Hankins, Myron L. Jew, Donald G. Ulmer, Brian L. Wherley, William D. Romine, Frederick M. Kuck, Douglas S. Ades
  • Patent number: 7520124
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle for use in a gas turbine engine comprises a flow body for receiving exhaust gas from the turbine engine and includes a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge connects with the gas turbine engine such that the flow body surrounds a centerline of the engine. The trailing edge comprises a serrated portion and a non-serrated portion. The serrated portion is formed from a plurality of tabs for mixing exhaust gas exiting the flow body with gases passing by an exterior of the flow body. The non-serrated portion is positioned along a lower portion of the trailing edge with respect to the engine centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Satish Narayanan, John Simonich, Robert Hans Schlinker
  • Publication number: 20090084111
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cowl for a turbomachine nozzle, the cowl including a plurality of repetitive patterns disposed to extend a trailing edge of said cowl and spaced circumferentially apart from one another. Each pattern is in the form of a quadrilateral having a base that is formed by a portion of the trailing edge of the cowl and two vertices that are spaced downstream from the base and that are connected thereto via two sides, each side having the shape of a parabola. Each pattern is asymmetrical relative to a midplane of the pattern containing a longitudinal axis of said cowl, and it comprises a first portion inclined radially towards the inside of the cowl, and a second portion inclined radially towards the outside of the cowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Sebastien Jean-Paul AEBERLI, Pierre Philippe Marie Loheac, Stephane Jacques Francois Thomas, Alexandre Alfred Gaston Vuillemin, Kamel Zeggai
  • Publication number: 20090071164
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle includes a fluted shell terminating in a row of chevrons. The nozzle is radially serpentine circumferentially around the shells and has a circumferentially serpentine trailing edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Bernard James Renggli
  • Publication number: 20090064681
    Abstract: A scalloped flexure ring. An illustrative embodiment of the flexure ring includes a ring body having a first ring body edge and a generally scalloped second ring body edge and a plurality of spaced-apart ring fingers provided in the second ring body edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: William P. Keith, Michael L. Hand
  • Publication number: 20090064660
    Abstract: An exhaust vane disposed in a divergent section of an aircraft gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle is sideways pivotable about a vane pivot axis. The nozzle vane pivot axis may be centrally located at an unvectored nozzle throat. Transversely spaced apart upper and lower tips of the exhaust vane may be incorporated to sealingly engage a nozzle outer wall along upper and lower surfaces of the outer wall of the nozzle. The exhaust vane has flat or contoured vane sidewalls and contoured vane sidewalls may be concave. The exhaust vane may have transversely biased apart upper and lower vane sections extending transversely inwardly from the upper and lower tips of the exhaust vane respectively. The exhaust vane may be articulated having upstream and downstream sections separately sideways pivotable about the vane pivot axis and a second pivot axis downstream of and parallel to the vane pivot axis respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Jay Toffan, James Lee Salmon, Ronald Clement Hollett, Arthur McCardle
  • Patent number: 7500353
    Abstract: A system is provided in an aircraft that includes a power unit and an eductor. The power unit has a nozzle, and is configured to exhaust gas, a portion of which flows in a swirling motion, through the nozzle. The eductor communicates with the power unit and includes a housing and a plurality of flow straighteners. The housing has an inlet, an outlet, and an inner peripheral surface that defines a flow passage. The inlet is configured to surround at least a portion of the nozzle and to receive the gas, and the outlet is configured to exhaust the gas. The plurality of flow straighteners extend radially inwardly from the housing inner surface into the flow passage and are configured to reduce swirl motion of the gas that flows therethrough. The power unit may be an auxiliary power unit or a turboshaft engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Morris G. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090044541
    Abstract: An exhaust flow nozzle for use with a jet engine. The exhaust flow nozzle includes a beveled downstream edge portion that helps to direct noise generated by the jet engine upwardly away from a ground surface during takeoff and landing operations. One specific embodiment makes use of a linearly moveable flow altering component that is positioned outside the final flow nozzle. When the flow altering component is in its retracted position it has no effect on the exhaust flow leaving the flow nozzle. Alternative embodiments involve the use of varying edge shapes for the final flow nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Krishnamurthy Viswanathan
  • Publication number: 20090031730
    Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine includes an engine nozzle and an ejector nozzle arranged axially downstream thereof. A gap S is formed between the outlet of the engine nozzle and the inlet of the ejector nozzle, and a flange which reduces the gap S is arranged at the outlet of the engine nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Otfrid HERRMANN
  • Publication number: 20090019857
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes a modular chevron. The chevron includes dual skins fixedly joined together at a base flange, and at a rim extending along the trailing edge of the chevron between the base and apex thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Rudolph Morris Tisdale, Gregory Allen Uhler, Michael Robert Johnson, Christopher Joseph Nye
  • Publication number: 20090013663
    Abstract: Disclosed is a methane engine for rocket propulsion. A methane supply pump (36) operated by a turbine (30) supplies a part of methane to a nozzle cooling channel (56, 156) installed on a nozzle (54, 154) of a combustor (50, 150) and supplies the other part of the methane to a combustion chamber cooling channel (53, 153) installed on a combustion chamber (52, 152) of the combustor (50, 150) so as to regulate the amount of methane supplied to a mixing head (51, 151) while maintaining the cooling properties of the combustor (50, 150), thus providing extensity of coping with changes in propulsive force and design of the combustor (50, 150). Further, a part of methane in a gas state discharged from the combustion chamber cooling channel (53, 153) is supplied to a mixing head (76) of a gas generator (94), thus providing the re-liability of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: C & Space Inc.
    Inventor: Kyoung Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20090000304
    Abstract: A support and air mixer includes an inner annular member, an outer annular member shaped and positioned such that an annular air gap is formed between the inner annular member and the outer annular member, and a plurality of air mixing members, each air mixing member having a mixing passageway therethrough and each air mixing member having an inner portion connected to the inner annular member, an outer portion connected to the outer annular member, and first and second opposing side portions interconnecting the inner and outer portions and the inner and outer annular members such that the mixing passageway is in fluid communication with the annular air gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Morris G. Anderson, David K. Jan, George E. Zurmehly, Steve H. Halfmann, Christopher E. Zollars
  • Patent number: 7464536
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a gas turbine engine including a core engine having a core stream duct, an inner bypass duct, an outer bypass duct, and a nozzle assembly downstream of the core engine and including a core engine nozzle and a bypass nozzle separated by a liner. The method includes channeling a first airflow discharged from the core gas turbine engine to the core engine nozzle, and channeling a second airflow through the inner bypass duct such that the second airflow bypasses the core gas turbine engine. The second airflow is channeled to a plurality of fairings that are positioned upstream from a plurality of support struts coupled to the nozzle assembly liner. The method also includes channeling a third airflow through the outer bypass duct such that the third airflow bypasses the core gas turbine engine, wherein the third airflow is channeled through the support struts to the bypass nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernard James Renggli, Matthew Wilson Jumper
  • Patent number: 7464554
    Abstract: A combustor heat shield panel has interior and exterior surfaces with a number of circuitous non-interconnected cooling gas passageways having inlets on the exterior surface and outlets on the interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Albert K. Cheung, Nikolaos Napoli, Irving Segalman
  • Publication number: 20080256957
    Abstract: A joint between a first component (30) and a second component (32) and the second component (32) comprises a shape memory material component. The first component (30) has a half dovetail shaped slot (34) and the shape memory material second component (32) has a half dovetail shaped attachment feature (36) and the half dovetail shaped attachment feature (36) of the shape memory material second component (32) locates in the half dovetail shaped slot (34) in the first component (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: John R. Webster
  • Publication number: 20080245062
    Abstract: A passive cooling system for an auxiliary power unit (APU) installation on an aircraft is provided. The system is for an auxiliary power unit having at least a compressor portion of a gas turbine engine and an oil cooler contained separately within a nacelle. The system includes the auxiliary power unit housed within the nacelle of the aircraft, an engine exhaust opening defined in the aft portion of the nacelle and communicating with the gas turbine engine, at least a first air inlet duct communicating with a second opening defined in said nacelle and with said compressor portion and the oil cooler is located within a second duct communicating with an opening other than the engine exhaust opening of said nacelle and with the engine exhaust opening. Exterior cooling air and engine exhaust ejected through said engine exhaust opening entrain cooling air through said second duct to said oil cooler, and thus provide engine oil cooling. An exhaust eductor is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Luc DIONNE
  • Patent number: 7430852
    Abstract: A turbojet comprises at least a fan, a compressor, a combustion chamber, a turbine, and a rigid substantially-cylindrical jacket fastened at its upstream end to an intermediate casing and at its downstream end to an exhaust casing, the jacket serving to transmit forces between the intermediate casing and the exhaust casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Bruno Beutin, Nelson Dos Santos, Jeremy Fert, Fabienne Lacorre, Jean-Louis Picard
  • Patent number: 7430867
    Abstract: A duct comprising an inner casing spaced apart from an outer casing and which also comprises a number of interfaced duct sections must be assembled in such a way to prevent relative redial movement between the casings and thereby inhibit buckling. The present invention is a duct which utilises abutment members which longitudinally extend from each of the inner walls across the interface of the duct sections. The abutment members are radially spaced apart in normal use but are configured such that substantially relative radial movement of the inner and outer walls is prevented when the overlapping members abut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Michael John Agg
  • Publication number: 20080236939
    Abstract: An exhaust silencer assembly for use with a gas turbine engine, the exhaust silencer assembly comprising an exhaust duct extension disposed downstream from an exhaust diffuser of the gas turbine engine, and an exhaust silencer disposed downstream from the exhaust duct extension. The exhaust duct extension has a length that is at least about 50% of an inner diameter of the exhaust duct extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Napier, Jay M. Francisco
  • Patent number: 7418813
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes mounting a core engine to a vehicle, coupling a fuselage radially outward and around the core engine, coupling an exhaust nozzle to the core engine to channel exhaust gases discharged from the core engine, wherein the exhaust nozzle includes a cowl and a primary nozzle coupled radially inward from the cowl, and coupling an infrared suppression system in flow communication with the engine exhaust nozzle to facilitate suppressing an exhaust infrared signature of the core engine, wherein the infrared suppression system includes a blocking fin having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile and such that a cooling air flowpath is defined between the cowl and the blocking fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Gary C. Wollenweber
  • Patent number: 7412832
    Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine includes channeling compressed air from the gas turbine engine to a noise suppression system, and selectively operating the noise suppression system such that air discharged from the noise suppression system generates a plurality of flow control mechanisms in the gas turbine exhaust flowpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ephraim Jeff Gutmark, Bryan W. Callender, Steven Martens