US 12,031,445 B2
Variable area nozzle for aircraft propulsion system
Ann Khidekel, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to ROHR, INC., Chula Vista, CA (US)
Filed by Rohr, Inc., Chula Vista, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/688,419.
Prior Publication US 2023/0279783 A1, Sep. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. F01D 17/14 (2006.01); F01D 17/24 (2006.01); F02K 1/12 (2006.01); F02K 1/80 (2006.01); F02K 1/11 (2006.01)
CPC F01D 17/141 (2013.01) [F01D 17/24 (2013.01); F02K 1/1207 (2013.01); F02K 1/805 (2013.01); F02K 1/11 (2013.01); F02K 1/12 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for an aircraft propulsion system, comprising:
a variable area nozzle apparatus including a plurality of panels, a plurality of inter-panel members, a plurality of outer panels, a plurality of outer inter-panel members and an actuation system;
the plurality of panels arranged circumferentially about an axial centerline, and the plurality of panels including a first panel and a second panel;
the plurality of inter-panel members arranged circumferentially about the axial centerline, the plurality of inter-panel members including a first inter-panel member between and connected to the first panel and the second panel, the first inter-panel member filling a gap laterally between a first side of the first panel and a second side of the second panel, and the first inter-panel member comprising an elastomeric material;
the plurality of outer panels arranged circumferentially about the axial centerline and radially outboard of the plurality of panels, the plurality of outer panels including a first outer panel and a second outer panel;
the plurality of outer inter-panel members arranged circumferentially about the axial centerline, the plurality of outer inter-panel members including a first outer inter-panel member between and connected to the first outer panel and the second outer panel, the first outer inter-panel member filling a gap laterally between a first side of the first outer panel and a second side of the second outer panel, and the first outer inter panel member comprising an elastomeric material; and
the actuation system configured to move the plurality of panels and the plurality of inter-panel members between a restricted flow arrangement and an unrestricted flow arrangement;
wherein the gap has a rectangular shape in a reference plane when the plurality of panels and the plurality of inter-panel members are in the restricted flow arrangement, and the gap has a trapezoidal shape in the reference plane when the plurality of panels and the plurality of inter-panel members are in the unrestricted flow arrangement; and
wherein the first inter-panel member projects radially out from the first panel and the second panel when in the restricted flow arrangement, and the first outer inter-panel member projects radially in from the first outer panel and the second outer panel when in the restricted flow arrangement.