The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 28, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 12, 2004
Nancy M. Rey, Glastonbury, CT (US);
Robin M. Miller, Ellington, CT (US);
Thomas G. Tillman, West Hartford, CT (US);
Robert M. Rukus, Vernon, CT (US);
John L. Kettle, Vernon, CT (US);
Nancy M. Rey, Glastonbury, CT (US);
Robin M. Miller, Ellington, CT (US);
Thomas G. Tillman, West Hartford, CT (US);
Robert M. Rukus, Vernon, CT (US);
John L. Kettle, Vernon, CT (US);
United Technologies Corporation, Hartford, CT (US);
Abstract
A gas turbine engine includes a variable area nozzle having a plurality of flaps. The flaps are actuated by a plurality of actuating mechanisms driven by shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to vary fan exist nozzle area. The SMA actuator has a deformed shape in its martensitic state and a parent shape in its austenitic state. The SMA actuator is heated to transform from martensitic state to austenitic state generating a force output to actuate the flaps. The variable area nozzle also includes a plurality of return mechanisms deforming the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator is in its martensitic state.