초록 ▼

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 shap

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A gas turbine engine situated about a center axis and enclosed in a nacelle, said nacelle having a trailing end in a downstream portion thereof, said trailing end defining a fan exit nozzle area, said gas turbine engine comprising:a plurality of flaps each of said flaps having an

[ We claim:] [1.]1. A gas turbine engine situated about a center axis and enclosed in a nacelle, said nacelle having a trailing end in a downstream portion thereof, said trailing end defining a fan exit nozzle area, said gas turbine engine comprising:a plurality of flaps each of said flaps having an aerodynamically shaped body having a flap tip coinciding with said trailing end of said nacelle;a plurality of actuating mechanisms for driving said plurality of flaps into an open position and a closed position corresponding to an enlarged fan exit nozzle area and a reduced fan exit nozzle area, each of said actuating mechanisms being driven by a SMA actuator, said SMA actuator being alternatingly deformed in its martensitic state and heated to its austenitic state to actuate said plurality of actuating mechanisms; anda plurality of return mechanisms associated with said plurality of actuating mechanisms for deforming said SMA actuator in its martensitic state.