United Technologies Corporation

M Craig Lady

Raymond J Bruchez, Jr

Bradley C Johnson

Gonzalo F Martinez

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. Another embodiment includes a damping function in the attachment.

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Palm Beach Gardens, FL, United States of America

M Craig Lady