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US-12624672-B2 - Variable area nozzle assembly

US12624672B2US 12624672 B2US12624672 B2US 12624672B2US-12624672-B2

Abstract

A variable area nozzle assembly includes a fixed nozzle structure, a translating sleeve, a plurality of nozzle segments, and a plurality of segment hoop locking assemblies. The translating sleeve is movably mounted to the fixed nozzle structure. The translating sleeve is translatable along the nozzle axis within the fixed nozzle structure between and to a first axial position and a second axial position. The plurality of nozzle segments form a variable area nozzle extending circumferentially about the nozzle axis. Each nozzle segment of the plurality of nozzle segments is pivotably mounted to the translating sleeve. The plurality of nozzle segments includes a first nozzle segment and a second nozzle segment. The plurality of segment hoop locking assemblies include a first segment hoop locking assembly. The first segment hoop locking assembly includes a hoop crank. With the translating sleeve in the first axial position or the second axial position, the hoop crank restricts circumferential movement of the first nozzle segment relative to the second nozzle segment.

Inventors

  • Timothy Gormley

Assignees

  • ROHR, INC.

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20240408

Claims (14)

  1. 1 . A variable area nozzle assembly for an aircraft propulsion system, the variable area nozzle assembly comprising: a fixed nozzle structure extending circumferentially about a nozzle axis; a translating sleeve assembly including a translating sleeve, the translating sleeve is movably mounted to the fixed nozzle structure, the translating sleeve is translatable along the nozzle axis within the fixed nozzle structure between and to a first axial position and a second axial position; a plurality of nozzle segments forming a variable area nozzle extending circumferentially about the nozzle axis, each nozzle segment of the plurality of nozzle segments is pivotably mounted to the translating sleeve, the plurality of nozzle segments includes a first nozzle segment and a second nozzle segment, and the first nozzle segment is circumferentially adjacent the second nozzle segment; and a plurality of segment hoop locking assemblies including a first segment hoop locking assembly, the first segment hoop locking assembly includes a lock crank, a hoop crank, a first hoop crank receiver, and a second hoop crank receiver, the lock crank is pivotably mounted to the translating sleeve, the lock crank is pivotable about a pivot axis, the hoop crank is connected to the lock crank, the hoop crank includes a first locking aperture and a second locking aperture, the first hoop crank receiver is mounted on the first nozzle segment and disposed within the first locking aperture, the second hoop crank receiver is mounted on the second nozzle segment and disposed within the second locking aperture, and the lock crank is pivotable about the pivot axis to configure the hoop crank in a first locking condition and a second locking condition such that: with the translating sleeve in the first axial position, the lock crank in a first pivot position relative to the pivot axis positions the hoop crank to configure the hoop crank in the first locking condition to restrict circumferential movement of the first nozzle segment relative to the second nozzle segment; and with the translating sleeve in the second axial position, the lock crank in a second pivot position relative to the pivot axis positions the hoop crank to configure the hoop crank in the second locking condition to restrict circumferential movement of the first nozzle segment relative to the second nozzle segment; wherein the variable area nozzle extends axially between and to an upstream nozzle end and a downstream nozzle end, the upstream nozzle end forms a throat cross-sectional area of the variable area nozzle, the downstream nozzle end forms an outlet cross-sectional area of the variable area nozzle, and translation of the translating sleeve along the nozzle axis varies a cross-sectional area of the throat cross-sectional area and the outlet cross-sectional area; and wherein the fixed nozzle structure includes a downstream structure end, in the first axial position the translating sleeve positions the variable area nozzle in a retracted position with the downstream nozzle end disposed axially upstream of the downstream structure end, and in the second axial position the translating sleeve positions the variable area nozzle in an extended position with the downstream nozzle end disposed axially downstream of the downstream structure end.
  2. 2 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein with the translating sleeve in the first axial position, the throat cross-sectional area has a minimum throat cross-sectional area and the outlet cross-sectional area has a maximum outlet cross-sectional area.
  3. 3 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 2 , wherein with the translating sleeve in the second axial position, the throat cross-sectional area has a maximum throat cross-sectional area and the outlet cross-sectional area has a minimum outlet cross-sectional area.
  4. 4 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first segment hoop locking assembly includes a link, the lock crank includes a first arm portion, the first arm portion extends radially outward from the pivot axis to a first distal end, and the link is pivotably mounted to the first distal end and the hoop crank.
  5. 5 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 4 , wherein the lock crank includes a second arm portion, the second arm portion extends radially outward from the pivot axis to a second distal end, in the first axial position of the translating sleeve the second distal end is separated from the fixed nozzle structure, and in the second axial position of the translating sleeve the second distal end contacts the fixed nozzle structure.
  6. 6 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first arm portion and the second arm portion are circumferentially offset relative to the pivot axis.
  7. 7 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first locking aperture includes a first lobe portion and a second lobe portion, the first lobe portion and the second lobe portion are interconnected to form the first locking aperture.
  8. 8 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 7 , wherein in the first locking condition of the hoop crank the first hoop crank receiver is disposed within the first lobe portion and in the second locking condition of the hoop crank the first hoop crank receiver is disposed within the second lobe portion.
  9. 9 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first lobe portion extends lengthwise along a first lobe axis, the second lobe portion extends lengthwise along a second lobe axis, and the first lobe axis intersects the second lobe axis within the first locking aperture.
  10. 10 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fixed nozzle structure includes an inner radial structure side forming a ramped upstream surface portion and a ramped downstream surface portion, wherein each nozzle segment of the plurality of nozzle segments includes a segment roller disposed at the ramped upstream surface portion and configured to roll along the ramped upstream surface portion as the translating sleeve translates between the first axial position and the second axial position.
  11. 11 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of segment cranks, each segment crank of the plurality of segment cranks pivotably mounted to the translating sleeve and to a respective nozzle segment of the plurality of nozzle segments, each segment crank includes a crank roller disposed at the ramped downstream surface portion and configured to roll along the ramped downstream surface portion as the translating sleeve translates between the first axial position and the second axial position.
  12. 12 . A variable area nozzle assembly for an aircraft propulsion system, the variable area nozzle assembly comprising: a fixed nozzle structure extending circumferentially about a nozzle axis; a translating sleeve assembly including a translating sleeve, the translating sleeve is movably mounted to the fixed nozzle structure, the translating sleeve is translatable along the nozzle axis within the fixed nozzle structure between and to a first axial position and a second axial position; a plurality of nozzle segments forming a variable area nozzle extending circumferentially about the nozzle axis, each nozzle segment of the plurality of nozzle segments is pivotably mounted to the translating sleeve, the plurality of nozzle segments includes a first nozzle segment and a second nozzle segment, and the first nozzle segment is circumferentially adjacent the second nozzle segment; and a plurality of segment hoop locking assemblies including a first segment hoop locking assembly, the first segment hoop locking assembly includes a lock crank, a hoop crank, a first hoop crank receiver, and a second hoop crank receiver, the lock crank is pivotably mounted to the translating sleeve, the lock crank is pivotable about a pivot axis, the hoop crank is connected to the lock crank, the hoop crank includes a first locking aperture and a second locking aperture, the first hoop crank receiver is mounted on the first nozzle segment and disposed within the first locking aperture, the second hoop crank receiver is mounted on the second nozzle segment and disposed within the second locking aperture, and the lock crank is pivotable about the pivot axis to configure the hoop crank in a first locking condition and a second locking condition such that: with the translating sleeve in the first axial position, the lock crank in a first pivot position relative to the pivot axis positions the hoop crank to configure the hoop crank in the first locking condition to restrict circumferential movement of the first nozzle segment relative to the second nozzle segment; and with the translating sleeve in the second axial position, the lock crank in a second pivot position relative to the pivot axis positions the hoop crank to configure the hoop crank in the second locking condition to restrict circumferential movement of the first nozzle segment relative to the second nozzle segment, wherein the first segment hoop locking assembly includes a link, the lock crank includes a first arm portion, the first arm portion extends radially outward from the pivot axis to a first distal end, and the link is pivotably mounted to the first distal end and the hoop crank.
  13. 13 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 12 , wherein the lock crank includes a second arm portion, the second arm portion extends radially outward from the pivot axis to a second distal end, in the first axial position of the translating sleeve the second distal end is separated from the fixed nozzle structure, and in the second axial position of the translating sleeve the second distal end contacts the fixed nozzle structure.
  14. 14 . The variable area nozzle assembly of claim 13 , wherein the first arm portion and the second arm portion are circumferentially offset relative to the pivot axis.

Description

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field This disclosure relates generally to aircraft propulsion systems, and more particularly to variable area nozzle assemblies for aircraft propulsion systems. 2. Background Information Propulsion systems for aircraft may frequently include variable area exhaust nozzles to accommodate subsonic, transonic, and/or supersonic speeds. Due to the different properties of exhaust gases as they flow through the nozzle at different speeds, there may be a need to vary the area of the nozzle at one or more locations within the nozzle in order to ensure proper and efficient propulsion system operation over a range of aircraft flight conditions. Various aircraft propulsion system variable area nozzles are known in the art. While these known variable area nozzles may be suitable for their intended purposes, there is always room in the art for improvement. SUMMARY It should be understood that any or all of the features or embodiments described herein can be used or combined in any combination with each and every other feature or embodiment described herein unless expressly noted otherwise. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a variable area nozzle assembly for an aircraft propulsion system includes a fixed nozzle structure, a translating sleeve assembly, a plurality of nozzle segments, and a plurality of segment hoop locking assemblies. The fixed nozzle structure extends circumferentially about a nozzle axis. The translating sleeve assembly includes a translating sleeve. The translating sleeve is movably mounted to the fixed nozzle structure. The translating sleeve is translatable along the nozzle axis within the fixed nozzle structure between and to a first axial position and a second axial position. The plurality of nozzle segments form a variable area nozzle extending circumferentially about the nozzle axis. Each nozzle segment of the plurality of nozzle segments is pivotably mounted to the translating sleeve. The plurality of nozzle segments includes a first nozzle segment and a second nozzle segment. The first nozzle segment is circumferentially adjacent the second nozzle segment. The plurality of segment hoop locking assemblies include a first segment hoop locking assembly. The first segment hoop locking assembly includes a lock crank, a hoop crank, a first hoop crank receiver, and a second hoop crank receiver. The lock crank is pivotably mounted to the translating sleeve. The lock crank is pivotable about a pivot axis. The hoop crank is connected to the lock crank. The hoop crank includes a first locking aperture and a second locking aperture. The first hoop crank receiver is mounted on the first nozzle segment and disposed within the first locking aperture. The second hoop crank receiver is mounted on the second nozzle segment and disposed within the second locking aperture. The lock crank is pivotable about the pivot axis to configure the hoop crank in a first locking condition and a second locking condition. With the translating sleeve in the first axial position, the lock crank positions the hoop crank to configure the hoop crank in the first locking condition to restrict circumferential movement of the first nozzle segment relative to the second nozzle segment. With the translating sleeve in the second axial position, the lock crank positions the hoop crank to configure the hoop crank in the second locking condition to restrict circumferential movement of the first nozzle segment relative to the second nozzle segment. In any of the aspects or embodiments described above or herein, the variable area nozzle may extend axially between and to an upstream nozzle end and a downstream nozzle end. The upstream nozzle end may form a throat cross-sectional area of the variable area nozzle. The downstream nozzle end may form an outlet cross-sectional area of the variable area nozzle. Translation of the translating sleeve along the nozzle axis may vary a cross-sectional area of the throat cross-sectional area and the outlet cross-sectional area. In any of the aspects or embodiments described above or herein, with the translating sleeve in the first axial position, the throat cross-sectional area may have a minimum throat cross-sectional area and the outlet cross-sectional area may have a maximum outlet cross-sectional area. In any of the aspects or embodiments described above or herein, with the translating sleeve in the second axial position, the throat cross-sectional area may have a maximum throat cross-sectional area and the outlet cross-sectional area may have a minimum outlet cross-sectional area. In any of the aspects or embodiments described above or herein, the fixed nozzle structure may include a downstream structure end. In the first axial position the translating sleeve may position the variable area nozzle in a retracted position with the downstream nozzle end disposed axially upstream of the downstream structure end. In the second axial position the translating sleeve