United Technologies Corporation

James Steven Johnson

Timothy J McAlice

Rudolph J Novotny

Gary D Jones

David E Wendt

The radius of the hinged portion of the convergent/divergent axisymmetrical exhaust nozzle of a gas turbine engine is configured at the surface seeing the flow to be contoured at a critical radius so to enhance the flow characteristics of the nozzle and improve the low observable. The liner normally associated with the convergent flap is cut back at the juncture adjacent the hinged point connecting the divergent flap to be below the radar sight at the tail of the engine.

Throat configuration for axisymmetric nozzle

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.

Axi-nozzle ejector seal

Exit area control panels 18 are supported for movement at an angle with respect to the nozzle axis 12. A varying exit area is formed as actuator 26 axially positions the panels 18. In each exit area control panel 18, there is slidably supported a throat area control panel 28, driven by actuator 32. A sliding throat is achieved as the two panels 18,28 are moved in each quadrant. Yaw and pitch vectoring is accomplished with selective positioning of the two panels.

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Shelton, CT, United States of America

James Steven Johnson