Patent ID: 8245495
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: discharging working fluid through a passageway of a nozzle to produce thrust, the nozzle including three or more vanes pivotally mounted across the passageway and a linkage pivotally interconnecting the vanes, the linkage including a first arm fixed to a first one of the vanes to pivot therewith, a second arm and a third arm each fixed to a second one of the vanes to pivot therewith, a fourth arm fixed to a third one of the vanes to pivot therewith, a first connecting link journaled to the first arm and the second arm, and a second connecting link journaled to the third arm and the fourth arm; pivoting the vanes together over a range of travel to provide different thrust vectors, the vanes each turning a different angular amount over the range of travel; and during the pivoting of the vanes over the range of travel, changing nozzle throat area defined with the vanes while maintaining a convergent relationship between the vanes.