United Technologies Corporation

United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of the Air Force

Robert E Warburton

William J Cuva

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger panel which has broad utility in high temperature environments. The heat exchanger panel has a first panel, a second panel, and at least one fluid containment device positioned intermediate the first and second panels. At least one of the first panel and the second panel have at least one feature on an interior surface to accommodate the at least one fluid containment device. In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second panels is formed from a high conductivity, high temperature composite material. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the first and second panels are joined together by one or more composite fasteners.

Heat exchanger panel

A fastener for securing a composite panel to a noncomposite support includes a composite stud with a notched shank , and a collar with an axis and circumferentially extending ribs . When assembled, the ribs and notches engage each other to resist axial translation between the stud and the collar. In one embodiment, a spring urges the rib into contact with the notch to tension the stud and clamp the panel to its support. In a second embodiment, the collar has external threads. A nut engages the threads to tension the stud and clamp the panel to its support. The spring is optional in the second embodiment. Because the composite stud is susceptible to damage if exposed to excessive torque, both embodiments include features to minimize torque transfer to the stud during assembly and disassembly.

Fastener assembly for use with composite articles

Divergent flaps of an axisymmetric exhaust nozzle include a hot inner gas path wall spaced from an outer wall to define a cooling fluid channel therebetween along the length of the flap from the upstream end of the flap near the divergent nozzle throat to near the downstream end of the flap. A slot or other opening in the flap inner wall at or just downstream of the nozzle throat communicates with the upstream end of the channel. Openings in the flap outer wall near the downstream end of the flap provide communication between the channel and external ambient air at a higher pressure than the gas at the nozzle throat. Ambient air thus travels upstream through the channel, convectively cooling the hot inner wall and exits through the slot in the inner wall at or near the throat to film cool the gas path side of the inner wall.

Cooled exhaust nozzle flaps

A cooling control system for a convergent-divergent gas turbine exhaust nozzle which permits automatic ducting of cooling air during the augmented mode of engine operation. The convergent flaps of the nozzle have longitudinal ducts embedded therein with a pair of openings near the aft extreme of each of the convergent flaps and openings located in the forward half of the convergent flaps. The convergent seals overlap the convergent flaps and are slideably mounted for positioning over the aft openings on the flaps. A positive pressure is generated under the convergent flap liner and seal liner when the convergent seal is opened to allow cooling air to be ducted through the flap. The positive pressure forces the convergent flap and seal liners up toward the center line of the nozzle.

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Lake Park, FL, United States of America

Robert E Warburton