GB2430920A - Shrouded nozzle arrangement - Google Patents

Shrouded nozzle arrangement Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2430920A
GB2430920A GB0014359A GB0014359A GB2430920A GB 2430920 A GB2430920 A GB 2430920A GB 0014359 A GB0014359 A GB 0014359A GB 0014359 A GB0014359 A GB 0014359A GB 2430920 A GB2430920 A GB 2430920A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
nozzle
duct
shroud
exhaust
shrouded
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0014359A
Other versions
GB2430920B (en
GB0014359D0 (en
Inventor
Clive Edward Olive
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rolls Royce PLC
Original Assignee
Rolls Royce PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rolls Royce PLC filed Critical Rolls Royce PLC
Priority to GB0014359A priority Critical patent/GB2430920B/en
Priority to US09/862,979 priority patent/US7581693B1/en
Publication of GB0014359D0 publication Critical patent/GB0014359D0/en
Publication of GB2430920A publication Critical patent/GB2430920A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2430920B publication Critical patent/GB2430920B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02KJET-PROPULSION PLANTS
    • F02K1/00Plants characterised by the form or arrangement of the jet pipe or nozzle; Jet pipes or nozzles peculiar thereto
    • F02K1/06Varying effective area of jet pipe or nozzle
    • F02K1/08Varying effective area of jet pipe or nozzle by axially moving or transversely deforming an internal member, e.g. the exhaust cone
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02KJET-PROPULSION PLANTS
    • F02K1/00Plants characterised by the form or arrangement of the jet pipe or nozzle; Jet pipes or nozzles peculiar thereto
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02KJET-PROPULSION PLANTS
    • F02K1/00Plants characterised by the form or arrangement of the jet pipe or nozzle; Jet pipes or nozzles peculiar thereto
    • F02K1/78Other construction of jet pipes
    • F02K1/82Jet pipe walls, e.g. liners

Abstract

A shrouded nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine exhaust comprises a shrouded nozzle 8 and duct means 2,4. The exhaust nozzle is translatable from a first position, wherein the exit plane of the nozzle lies upstream of the exit aperture of the shroud 10 to a second position, wherein the exit plane of the nozzle lies substantially downstream of the exit aperture of the shroud. In this second position, the use of reheat or thrust vectoring may be used without damage to the shroud.

Description

SHROUDED NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT
The present invention concerns a shrouded nozzle arrangement wherein a Low Observable Shrouded Exit Nozzle (LOSEN) is used to minimise the infra- red and radar signatures of a gas turbine engine exhaust.
Electromagnetic radiation, emitted or reflected by the gas turbine exit nozzle contributes significantly to the "signature" of a vehicle. By mounting the exit nozzle within a suitably shaped shroud this signature is reduced. Radar signals are absorbed or diffused by the shroud and infra-red emissions are masked, either by the shroud itself or by cool air ducted by the shroud to pass around the nozzle and the exhaust stream issuing from it. Such an arrangement, by its nature, defines a constraining envelope within which the nozzle must lie in order to be effective. This imposes constraints upon the use of reheat or thrust vectoring of the engine exhaust stream.
In a plane perpendicular to the engine centre line, the cross-sectional area of the shroud exit aperture is the same or only slightly larger than the exhaust stream in the same plane. As a consequence, the use of a thrust vectoring nozzle to direct the exhaust stream away from the engine centre line would inevitably cause hot exhaust gas to impinge upon the LOSEN shroud imposing impractical loads and temperatures.
Similarly, a significant increase in exhaust gas temperature, caused by the use of reheat, would require significant cooling of the LOSEN shroud, imposing unacceptable performance penalties upon the engine.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved shrouded exit nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine that overcomes the limitations inherent in the existing design.
According to the present invention in its broadest aspect there is provided a shrouded nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine exhaust comprising an exhaust nozzle, a duct means for providing communication of exhaust gas between the gas turbine and exhaust nozzle, and a shroud which encloses the nozzle and duct means, the shroud having an exit aperture through which, in use, the exhaust nozzle discharges, characterised in that the exhaust nozzle is translatable from a first position, wherein the exit plane of the nozzle lies upstream of the exit aperture of the shroud, to a second position, wherein the exit plane of the exhaust duct lies substantially downstream of the exit aperture of the shroud.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with particular reference to the embodiment illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a view of the rear of an aircraft equipped with a LOSEN arrangement; Figure 2 shows a crosssection through the LOSEN arrangement in Figure 1 with the nozzle in the retracted position; Figure 3 shows a more detailed view of section A of Figure 2; and Figure 4 shows a cross-section through the LOSEN arrangement in Figure 1 with the nozzle in the extended position.
Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a view of the rear of an aircraft fitted with a LOSEN arrangement. A shroud 10 surrounds a nozzle 8 defining a shroud annulus 12 which is open at its downstream end.
In Figure 2 there is shown a cross section through the LOSEN arrangement of Figure 1. An annular duct means 2,4 provides communication between the exit of a reheat equipped gas turbine engine 6 and a thrust vectoring downstream nozzle 8. A shroud surrounds the duct means 2,4 and the nozzle 8 defining a shroud annulus 12 within the shroud.
The duct means 2,4 comprises an annular inner duct member 2 attached at its upstream entrance to the turbine engine 6 exit and an annular outer duct member 4, attached at its downstream exit to the nozzle 8. The two duct members 2,4 are concentric and overlap such that an essentially continuous duct means is formed between engine 6 and nozzle 8. A gas tight seal is provided between the inner duct member 2 and outer duct member 4 by a ring 14.
The inner duct is fixed relative to the shroud 10. The outer duct member 4 is slideably mounted to a support barrel 16 which lies within the shroud 10 and surrounds the outer duct member 4. This support barrel 16 is attached to the shroud 10 and remains fixed relative to the shroud 20 and inner duct member 2.
Referring now to Figure 3, the support barrel 16 and the outer duct member 4 are radially spaced to form an annulus. This annulus is partitioned by annular first and second flanges 20,22 to create a chamber 18. The first flange 20 forms the upstream wall of the chamber 18 and is attached to the outer duct member 4, projecting outwards to slideably engage the support barrel 16 about its inner surface. The second flange 22 forms the downstream wall of the chamber 18 and is attached to the support barrel 16 projecting inwards to slideably engage the outer duct member 4 about its outer surface. Both flanges 20,22 utilise gas-tight rings 21,23 for their engagement means.
Finally, a hole 24 in the outer duct member 4 provides communication between the chamber 18 and inside of the duct member 2,4.
Referring back to Figure 2, a pair of rails 26,28 lies either side of the chamber 18 and these are provided at a number of radial positions around the external surface of the outer duct member 4. The rails 26,28 run in concomitant bearings 30,32 which enable axial movement. The bearings 30, 32 are retained by supports 34,36 fixed to the support barrel 16.
Three hydraulic ram actuators 38 are equi-spaced radially about the inside of the shroud 10, each fixed at a one end to the inner surface of the shroud 10. The opposite end of each actuator 38 is attached to a carriage 40 slideably mounted between the inner surface of the shroud 10 and the outer surface of the support barrel 16. The carriage 40 is in turn attached to the outer duct member 4 by a linkage 42 passing through an axial slot in the support barrel 16, lying downstream of the chamber 18.
In normal operation, the actuators 38 are locked at their full extension. Via the carriage and lever 42, the duct means 2,4 is reduced to its shortest length. The exit plane of the nozzle 10 is thus withdrawn into the shroud 10 and lies upstream of the exit aperture of said shroud 10.
In this configuration, radar signals are either diffused by the shroud 10 or absorbed by special coatings applied to it. At the same time, exhaust gas 44 issuing from the exit of the gas turbine engine 6 passes down the duct means 2,4 and through the nozzle 8.
Secondary air 46, taken from the airflow outside the shroud is directed through the shroud annulus. This secondary air 46 is at a lower temperature and pressure than the exhaust gas 44 and so cools the duct means 2,4, nozzle 8 and shroud 10 thus reducing the infra-red signature as well as protecting any sensitive coatings applied to the shroud 10. The secondary air 44 is then directed by the shroud 10 exit aperture to form a sheath of cool air around the exhaust gas 44 leaving the nozzle 8. This covering of cool air masks the infra-red signature of the exhaust plume.
Referring now to Figure 4, when it is necessary to use reheat or operate the thrust vectoring nozzle 8, the actuators 38 are retreated to their shortest length. Via the carriage 40 and lever 42, the duct means 2,4 is extended to its fullest length. The exit plane of the nozzle 10, attached to the downstream end of the outer duct member 4 is thus projected substantially beyond the exit aperture of the shroud 10. This facilitates the use of reheat or thrust vectoring. Reheat is possible as the superheated exhaust gas 44 leaves the nozzle 8 aft of the shroud 10 and is not able to impinge upon the shroud 10. Likewise, the use of thrust vectoring does not result in hot exhaust gas 44 impinging upon the shroud 10. Whilst the invention remains in this configuration, the shroud will be ineffective at reducing the signature of the exit nozzle 8 or its efflux, however, reheat and thrust vectoring are unlikely to be used at times when the aircraft's signature is important.
Referring again to Figure 3, it will be seen that during operation, the pressure within the chamber 16 is higher than that either side of the flanges 20,22. The pressure within the chamber is that of the exhaust gas 44 issuing from the engine 6 but the opposite side of each flange is in communication with the secondary air 46 at a lower pressure than the exhaust gas 44. As a result, the pressure acting upon the first flange 20 creates an axial force acting in the upstream direction, offsetting the axial loads in the downstream direction imposed by exhaust gas 44 acting upon the nozzle. This serves to minimise the work required by the actuators 38 to move or restrain the outer duct member 4 and nozzle 8.
In the embodiment of the invention shown, the duct members 2,4 are arranged with the inner duct member 2 fixed and located upstream of the outer duct member 4 which is slideably mounted. Alternatively, the outer duct member may be fixed and located upstream of a slideably mounted inner duct member.
The actuation system described for this embodiment comprises actuators 38 rigidly fixed at one end to the shroud 10 and operating the slideable duct member 4 via a carriage 40 and linkage 42. Alternatively, the actuators may be pivoted at their attachment point on the shroud such that the carriage 38 and linkage are not necessary. It will also be understood that the number of actuators 38 need not be strictly limited to three although this does seem to be the minimum to guarantee the slideable duct 4 member does not rock when operated.
Finally, although the embodiment of the invention features both thrust vectoring and reheat, the invention itself is equally applicable where only thrust vectoring or only reheat is required.

Claims (7)

  1. -
    A shrouded nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine exhaust comprising an exhaust nozzle, a duct means for providing communication of exhaust gas between the gas turbine and exhaust nozzle, and a shroud which encloses the nozzle and duct means, the shroud having an exit aperture through which, in use, the exhaust nozzle discharges, characterised in that the exhaust nozzle is translatable from a first position, wherein the exit plane of the nozzle lies upstream of the exit aperture of the shroud, to a second position, wherein the exit plane of the exhaust duct lies substantially downstream of the exit aperture of the shroud.
  2. 2 A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim I wherein the duct means comprises an inner duct member and an outer duct member concentric with one another, wherein the inner and outer duct members are slideably mounted and movable relative to one another, the outer duct member at all times overlapping the inner duct member such that inner and outer duct members provide continuous duct means.
  3. 3 A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein a substantially annular support means is provided, the support means remaining fixed relative to one of the duct members, the other duct member being slideably mounted within the support means and moving relative to the support means.
  4. 4 A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the support means is provided with an inwardly projecting first flange, the first flange slideably engaging the slideable duct member about an annular periphery to provide a substantially gas tight seal, the slideable duct member provided with an outwardly projecting second flange, the second flange slideably engaging the support means about an annular periphery to provide a substantially gas tight seal, the first and second flanges defining a chamber between support means and slideable duct member into which exhaust gas may be bled from within the duct means, the first and second flanges being disposed such that pressure within the chamber acts upon the slideable duct member to counter the loads imposed by exhaust gas impinging upon the exit nozzle.
  5. A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein a reheat system is provided within the duct means.
  6. 6 A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the nozzle is capable of thrust vectoring.
  7. 7 A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the shroud is configured to minimise the radar and infra-red signatures of the nozzle and exhaust gas issuing from the nozzle.
    7 A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the shroud is configured to minimise the radar and infra-red signatures of the nozzle and exhaust gas issuing from the nozzle.
    Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows A shrouded nozzle arrangement for a gas turbine engine exhaust comprising an exhaust nozzle, a duct means for providing communication of exhaust gas between the gas turbine and exhaust nozzle, and a shroud which encloses the nozzle and duct means, the shroud having an exit aperture through which, in use, the exhaust nozzle discharges, characterised in that the exhaust nozzle is translatable from a first position, wherein the exit plane of the nozzle lies upstream of the exit aperture of the shroud, to a second position, wherein the exit plane of the exhaust nozzle lies substantially downstream of the exit aperture of the shroud.
    2 A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the duct means comprises an inner duct member and an outer duct member concentric with one another, wherein the inner and outer duct members are slideably mounted and movable relative to one another, the outer duct member at all times overlapping the inner duct member such that inner and outer duct members provide continuous duct means.
    3 A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein a substantially annular support means is provided, the support means remaining fixed relative to one of the duct members, the other duct member being slideably mounted within the support means and moving relative to the support means.
    4 A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the support means is provided with an inwardly projecting first flange, the first flange slideably engaging the slideable duct member about an annular periphery to provide a substantially gas tight seal, the slideable duct member provided with an outwardly projecting second flange, the second flange slideably engaging the support means about an annular periphery to provide a substantially gas tight seal, the first and second flanges defining a chamber between support means and slideable duct member into which exhaust gas may be bled from within the duct means, the first and second flanges being disposed such that pressure within the chamber acts upon the slideable duct member to counter the loads imposed by exhaust gas impinging upon the exhaust nozzle.
    A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein a reheat system is provided within the duct means.
    6 A shrouded nozzle arrangement as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the nozzle is capable of thrust vectoring.
GB0014359A 2000-06-05 2000-06-05 Shrouded nozzle arrangement Expired - Lifetime GB2430920B (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0014359A GB2430920B (en) 2000-06-05 2000-06-05 Shrouded nozzle arrangement
US09/862,979 US7581693B1 (en) 2000-06-05 2001-05-21 Shrouded nozzle arrangement

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0014359A GB2430920B (en) 2000-06-05 2000-06-05 Shrouded nozzle arrangement

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0014359D0 GB0014359D0 (en) 2006-09-20
GB2430920A true GB2430920A (en) 2007-04-11
GB2430920B GB2430920B (en) 2007-10-24

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0014359A Expired - Lifetime GB2430920B (en) 2000-06-05 2000-06-05 Shrouded nozzle arrangement

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US (1) US7581693B1 (en)
GB (1) GB2430920B (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2118249A (en) * 1982-04-07 1983-10-26 Douglas John Nightingale Variable geometry ejector nozzle for turbomachines
GB2119023A (en) * 1982-04-15 1983-11-09 Secr Defence Jet propulsion nozzle having a shroud
US4502637A (en) * 1982-06-07 1985-03-05 Rolls-Royce Inc. Turbomachine ejector nozzle with thrust reverser
GB2247048A (en) * 1981-06-27 1992-02-19 Rolls Royce Variable area nozzle
EP0518498A1 (en) * 1991-05-16 1992-12-16 General Electric Company Thermal shield for axisymmetric vectoring nozzle

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1067011A (en) * 1964-07-02 1967-04-26 Rolls Royce Improvements relating to aircraft
DE1481504B1 (en) * 1966-07-19 1970-07-09 Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm Airplane with lift jet engines arranged in pairs next to or behind one another in the fuselage
US3665709A (en) * 1970-06-04 1972-05-30 Rohr Corp Thrust reversing apparatus
US3797785A (en) * 1972-08-31 1974-03-19 Rohr Industries Inc Thrust modulating apparatus
US3837577A (en) * 1973-06-29 1974-09-24 United Aircraft Corp Minimum drag variable area exhaust nozzle
US3893640A (en) * 1973-11-27 1975-07-08 Gen Electric Sound suppressing nacelle arrangement
US3897001A (en) * 1974-06-12 1975-07-29 Gen Electric Nozzle and auxiliary inlet arrangement for gas turbine engine
US3979067A (en) * 1975-04-28 1976-09-07 General Electric Company Actuating means for a thrust vectoring gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle
US4050631A (en) * 1976-03-26 1977-09-27 The Boeing Company Jet engine nozzle for controlling the direction of thrust
US4587806A (en) * 1981-05-11 1986-05-13 United Technologies Corporation Area two-dimensional converging/diverging nozzle
DE3310059C2 (en) 1982-04-14 1986-04-24 Yoshiyasu Tokio/Tokyo Yoshida Warming glove
US4527388A (en) * 1982-07-12 1985-07-09 The Garrett Corporation Jet propulsion apparatus and methods

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2247048A (en) * 1981-06-27 1992-02-19 Rolls Royce Variable area nozzle
GB2118249A (en) * 1982-04-07 1983-10-26 Douglas John Nightingale Variable geometry ejector nozzle for turbomachines
GB2119023A (en) * 1982-04-15 1983-11-09 Secr Defence Jet propulsion nozzle having a shroud
US4502637A (en) * 1982-06-07 1985-03-05 Rolls-Royce Inc. Turbomachine ejector nozzle with thrust reverser
EP0518498A1 (en) * 1991-05-16 1992-12-16 General Electric Company Thermal shield for axisymmetric vectoring nozzle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2430920B (en) 2007-10-24
GB0014359D0 (en) 2006-09-20
US7581693B1 (en) 2009-09-01

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PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Expiry date: 20200604