초록 ▼

A thrust vectoring mechanism to vector thrust and control discharge throat area includes four or more vanes mounted across the outlet of a nozzle in a cascade arrangement. The mechanism further includes a rod to control pivoting of each of the vanes that may be selectively rotated with one or more a

A thrust vectoring mechanism to vector thrust and control discharge throat area includes four or more vanes mounted across the outlet of a nozzle in a cascade arrangement. The mechanism further includes a rod to control pivoting of each of the vanes that may be selectively rotated with one or more actuators. The rod includes threading. The vanes each include a drive member that is either toothed to engage the rod threading or defines a camming relationship with a coupling member threaded on the rod. The rod threading, drive members, and coupling members may be arranged to define different pivoting schedules for each of the vanes so that a generally constant throat area may be maintained over a given vector directional range of the vanes. The outlet may be generally rectangular in cross-section and a strut may be mounted across the outlet perpendicular to the pivot axes of the vanes to house the rod, drive members, and/or coupling members.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A combination, comprising:an aircraft defining an outlet to discharge a working fluid; and a thrust vectoring mechanism including a rod extending along a rotational axis, one or more actuators operable to rotate said rod about said rotational axis, and four or more vanes pivotably coupled across

1. A combination, comprising:an aircraft defining an outlet to discharge a working fluid; and a thrust vectoring mechanism including a rod extending along a rotational axis, one or more actuators operable to rotate said rod about said rotational axis, and four or more vanes pivotably coupled across said outlet to vector thrust produced with the working fluid, said vanes each having a respective one of a number of pivot axes, said pivot axes each crossing said rotational axis at a different point therealong, said vanes being responsive to rotation of said rod about said rotational axis to pivot together in a first rotational direction.