Patent attributes
A nozzle device defines a passageway including an outlet to discharge working fluid to produce thrust. This device includes a vectoring mechanism having three or more vanes pivotally mounted across the passageway and a linkage pivotally coupling the vanes together. This linkage includes a first arm fixed to a first one of the vanes to pivot therewith about a first pivot axis, a second arm and a third arm fixed to a second one of the vanes to pivot therewith about a second pivot axis, and a fourth arm fixed to a third one of the vanes to pivot therewith about a third pivot axis. A first connecting link pivotally couples the first arm and the second arm together, and a second connecting link pivotally couples the third arm and the fourth arm together. The relative angular positioning of the arms with respect to the corresponding pivot axes and/or the arm links can be varied to define different vectoring schedules with the mechanism linkage. In one particular form, the nozzle is utilized with a lift fan of an aircraft to perform V/STOL operations.
