Patent Abstract:
The connector system ( 30 ) includes a pivoting member ( 38 ) pivotally attached to a guide anchor ( 36 ) that is moveable secured within a guide track ( 34 ). The guide anchor ( 36 ) is movably secured between first and second strength walls ( 58, 62 ). At least one guide shoulder ( 70 ) and the pivoting member ( 38 ) define throughbores ( 74, 76, 78 ) that receive a rod ( 92 ) of a rod-and-bracket connector ( 88 ) to pivotally secure the pivoting Member ( 38 ), such as a convergent flap ( 26 ) of an exhaust NOZZLE assembly ( 22 ). The rod-and-bracket connector ( 88 ) utilizes an L-shaped arm ( 56 ) to eliminate need for a large thread and lock nut assembly ( 86 ) between the strength walls ( 58, 62 ) to thereby facilitate use of larger, stronger guide shoulders ( 70, 72 ) between the strength walls ( 58, 62 ) to maximize strength of the connector system ( 30 ) while minimizing its volumetric displacement.

Full Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0001]    This disclosure was made with Government support under contract number FA-8650-09-D-2923-0021 (AETD) awarded by The United States Air Force. The Government has certain rights in this disclosure. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to control mechanisms for controlling motion of pivoting members secured to guide anchors that are moveably secured within guide tracks, and in particular relates to a control mechanism for controlling motion of pivoting convergent and/or divergent flaps of exhaust nozzle assemblies of gas turbine engines. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    In the field of mechanical control systems for moving pivoting members, such as aircraft flaps, control surfaces, etc., it is common to utilize an actuator push-pull rod to move a guide anchor within a guide track, wherein the moveable guide anchor secures a structural member for pivoting movement. In order to multiply the distance moved by the pivoting member through usage of the push-pull rod of an actuator, the guide track is frequently arcuate, and also defines a linear trackway so that limited movement of the guide anchor produces much greater movement of distal ends of the pivoting member and may also produce even greater movement of additional members linked to the pivoting member. Such guide tracks utilized in aircraft must be able to withstand extraordinary mechanical stress, extremes of heat, and be virtually fail-proof. In other words, the guide anchor must be designed so that it cannot leave the guide track, and the guide track must be designed so that is cannot send or otherwise fail during exposure to extraordinary mechanical forces and thermal stresses while the guide anchor moves within the track. 
         [0004]    Additionally, such a guide track and captured guide anchor are optimally designed to be as small as possible while capable of withstanding extraordinary operational stresses. For usage in aircraft, it is well known that minimizing weight and volume of all components is a primary design goal. 
         [0005]    An exemplary use of a guide track and guide anchor that is moveably secured within the guide track is utilized in exhaust nozzle assemblies of gas turbine engines. It is well known that exhaust gases passing out of a gas turbine engine typically pass through an exit area or exhaust nozzle attached to an aft end of the engine. Exhaust nozzles are utilized to produce additional thrust tor such a gas turbine engine by accelerating the working medium gas, for example air and a combusted fuel/air mixtures, that has passed through the low-pressure turbine and then passes through the exhaust nozzle. The exhaust nozzles vary an amount of thrust developed by the engine by varying an unimpeded area of the exhaust nozzle through which the exhaust gasses flow. 
         [0006]    A common variable area exhaust nozzle utilizes convergent-divergent flap sets arranged circumferentially about a central longitudinal axis of the engine to form a substantially annular exhaust nozzle extending aft of the last stage of the gas turbine engine, typically being aft of a low-pressure turbine. The convergent-divergent flap sets are commonly connected to a nozzle static structure typically in the form of a sync ring that is secured to an engine casing. The flaps of each flap set are selectively moved toward and away from a central axis of the engine to vary an exhaust area between the flaps which effectively varies an unimpeded area of the exhaust nozzle through which the exhaust gasses flow. Each of the flap sets includes at least one of the convergent or divergent flaps being secured to a guide anchor. A control actuator applies a force to a sync ring surrounding the central axis of the engine, and the convergent flaps are secured to the sync ring and are also anchored to the guide anchor. As the actuator pushes or pulls the sync ring, the convergent flaps move in a manner controlled by movement of the guide anchor that is secured within a guide track. The flaps then pivot toward or away from the central axis of the engine in response to motion defined by the guide anchor, which is a form of a mechanical guide. Improvements in control apparatus for flaps defining unimpeded areas of exhaust nozzles in gas turbine engines result in substantial cost savings and enhanced performance of the engine. 
         [0007]    It is particularly desirable to utilize mechanical guides such as a moveable guide anchor captured within, a guide track for movement of exhaust nozzle flaps that minimize size requirements for the guides and that simultaneously maximize strength and durability of the guides. 
         [0008]    Therefore, there is a need for an improved mechanical guide that guides motion of pivoting members utilized in modern aircraft that minimizes volumetric displacement of the guide and that maximizes strength and durability of the guide. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0009]    The disclosure includes a connector system for securing a pivoting member to a guide anchor moveably secured within a guide track. The guide track defines a linear trackway having a first wall or first strength wall that is secured to a first edge of the trackway. A second wall or second strength wall that is parallel to the first strength wall is secured to an opposed second edge of the trackway. The first and second strength walls ascend above a support surface of the trackway in a direction away from the support surface. The guide anchor is movably secured between the first and second strength walls and is also secured adjacent the support surface of the trackway. The guide anchor is secured against movement away from the support surface, but is secured for linear movement along the trackway, such as by rollers, slide surfaces, etc. The guide anchor includes at least one guide shoulder, and the at least one guide shoulder defines a first retention throughbore. The pivoting member also defines a pivoting member throughbore that is dimensioned to be secured adjacent the first guide shoulder so that a longitudinal axis within the throughbores extends through the first retention throughbore and the pivoting member throughbore. The longitudinal axis within the throughbores is also parallel to a width axis between the first and second strength walls. The width axis defines a shortest distance between the opposed first and second strength walls. Additionally, the longitudinal axis within the throughbores extends between the first and second strength walls, so that the throughbores are not above the strength walls. The connector system also includes a rod-and-bracket connector that is configured so that a rod of the connector passes through the first retention throughbore of the first guide shoulder and also passes through the pivoting member throughbore to secure the pivoting member to the guide anchor. The rod-and-bracket connector is also configured so that a first section of an L-shaped arm of the connector is secured to an end of the rod that extends beyond one of the first retention throughbore and the pivoting member throughbore. The first section of the L-shaped arm extends in a direction about perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rod and also extends a distance sufficient to extend beyond an exterior edge of the guide anchor. The L-shaped arm is also constructed so that a second section of the L-shaped arm is secured to a portion of the first section of the L-shaped arm that extends beyond the exterior edge of the guide anchor. The second section of the L-shaped arm extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod and also extends adjacent the exterior edge of the guide anchor. The second section of the L-shaped arm includes a fastener that is configured to secure the rod-and-bracket connector to either the guide anchor or the pivoting member. 
         [0010]    In an aspect of the disclosure, the distance of the width axis extending between the opposed first and second strength walls is represented as X. A shortest distance through the throughbores defined between the first and second strength walls is represented by Y, and Y is between about 60% and about 95% of the distance of X. (For purposes herein, the word “about” is to mean plus or minus 10%.) 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, the guide anchor includes a second guide shoulder that defines a second retention throughbore. The second retention throughbore is configured to be aligned with the longitudinal axis within the first retention throughbore and the pivoting member throughbore. The first and second guide shoulders may also be configured so that the pivoting member throughbore is between the first and second retention throughbores. In this embodiment, the distance of the width axis extending between the opposed first and second strength walls is represented as X. A shortest distance through the first retention throughbore of the first guide shoulder is represented herein by Y (although not so represented in the drawings). A shortest distance through the pivoting object throughbore is represented herein by Z (although not so represented in the drawings). A shortest distance through the second retention throughbore of the second guide shoulder is represented herein by W (although not so represented in the drawings). A sum of the distances Y plus Z plus W is between about 60% and about 95% of the distance of X. 
         [0012]    In another aspect of the disclosure, the first and second guide shoulders are configured so that the pivoting member throughbore is between the first and second retention throughbores of the first and second guide shoulders. 
         [0013]    In a further aspect of the connector system, a receiving bore is defined within either the guide anchor or the pivoting member. The fastener includes a securing wide-head bolt that is configured to be selectively secured to and removed from the receiving bore. A bolt throughbore is defined within the second section of the L-shaped arm. The wide-head bolt has a stem and a bolt head, and the bolt is configured so that the stem passes through the bolt throughbore to be selectively secured to and removed from the receiving bore. The bolt head is configured to be wider than the bolt throughbore to secure the second section of the L-shaped arm adjacent the receiving bore. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment of the connector system, the second section of the L-shaped arm defines a through slot extending from the bolt throughbore to and through a perimeter edge of the second section, so that the through slot defines a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod. Therefore, the through slot in the second section of the L-shaped arm may slide around a stem of a securing wide-head bolt secured to one of the guide anchor and the pivoting member. Additionally, at least one lock extension adjacent the through slot extends away from the outer surface of the second section of the L-shaped arm in a direction away from the guide anchor. The lock extension is configured to abut the bolt head secured to the securing bolt, so that the lock extension prevents movement of the rod and L-bracket connector in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod whenever the bolt head moves to loosen a connection between the second section of the L-shaped arm and one of the guide anchor and the pivoting member. 
         [0015]    In another aspect of the disclosure, the guide track is in the form of a slider track secured to a nozzle static structure of an exhaust nozzle assembly of a gas turbine engine. The guide anchor is in the form of a slider secured within the slider track, and the slider track is configured for permitting sliding motion of the slider within the slider track. Further, the guide anchor defines a first slider shoulder defining a first retention throughbore and a second slider shoulder defining a second, retention throughbore. The pivoting member is in the form of a flap of the exhaust nozzle assembly, and the flap defines a flap throughbore aligned with the first and second retention throughbores so that the flap is pivotally secured to the slider. In this embodiment, the slider track defines a slide-way extending between a first lock-slot and a second lock-slot, and the first and second lock-slots are defined at opposed first and second edges of the slide-way. Additionally, the slider is secured within each slider track adjacent the slide-way by opposed first and second lock wedges of the slider that extend into the first and second lock-slots of the slider track. 
         [0016]    Also in the slider track and slider embodiment of the present connector system, a distance of the width axis extending a shortest distance between the opposed first and second strength walls is represented as X. A shortest distance through the first retention throughbore is represented herein by Y (although not so represented in the drawings). A shortest distance through the flap retention throughbore is represented herein by Z (although not so represented in the drawings). A shortest distance through the second retention throughbore is represented herein by W (although not so represented in the drawings). In this embodiment, a sum of the distances Y plus Z plus W is between about 60% and about 95% of the distance of X. 
         [0017]    In another aspect, the disclosure includes the pivoting member being a load member secured to an anchor by the rod-and-bracket connector system. In this aspect the rod is configured to pass through a retention throughbore defined within a guide shoulder of the anchor and to also pass through a load member throughbore to secure the load member to the shoulder of the anchor. An L-shaped arm is secured to the rod so that a first section of the L-shaped arm of the connector is secured to an end of the rod that extends beyond one of the retention throughbore of the guide shoulder and the load member throughbore. Additionally, first section of the L-shaped arm extends in a direction about perpendicular a longitudinal axis of the rod and also extends a distance sufficient to extend beyond an exterior edge of the anchor. The L-shaped arm also is configured so that a second section of the L-shaped arm is secured to a portion of the first section of the L-shaped arm that extends beyond the exterior edge of the anchor, and the second section of the L-shaped arm extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod and also extends adjacent the exterior edge of the anchor. The second section of the L-shaped arm includes a fastener configured to secure the rod-and-bracket connector to one of the anchor and the load member so that the fastener prohibits the rod from moving out of the guide shoulder throughbore and the load member throughbore. 
         [0018]    Additionally, the anchor may include a first wall and an opposed second wall having a width axis that extends between the first and second walls a shortest distance between the opposed walls. A longitudinal axis within the retention throughbore of the shoulder and the load member throughbore extends in a direction parallel to the width axis and extends between the opposed first and second walls. In this embodiment, a distance of the width axis extending a shortest distance between the opposed first and second walls is represented as X, a shortest distance through the throughbores defined between the first and second walls is represented by Y, and Y is between about 60% and about 95% of the distance of X. 
         [0019]    In this aspect, the load member may a pivoting member, the throughbores may define cylindrical throughbores, and the rod may be formed to be cylindrical to thereby facilitate pivoting movement of the load member relative to the anchor. 
         [0020]    Also in this aspect, the fastener of the rod-and-bracket connector may include a receiving bore defined within one of the anchor and the load member. The fastener may also include a securing bolt configured to be selectively secured to and removed from the receiving bore, and a bolt throughbore is defined within the second section of the l-shaped arm. A bolt has a stem and a bolt head, and the bolt head is configured so that the stem passes through the bolt throughbore to be selectively secured to and removed from the receiving bore. Additionally, the bolt head is configured to be wider than the bolt throughbore in order to secure the second section of the L-shaped arm adjacent the receiving bore. 
         [0021]    In this embodiment, the second section of the L-shaped arm may define a through slot that extends from the bolt throughbore of the fastener to and through a perimeter edge of the second section. The through slot defines a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod. Therefore, the securing bolt secured to one of the anchor and the load member into may slide into the through slot within the second section of the L-shaped arm. At least one lock extension adjacent the through slot extends away from the surface of the second section of the L-shaped arm in a direction away from the anchor. The lock extension is configured to abut the bolt bead secured to the securing bolt, so that the lock extension prevents movement of rod-and-bracket connector in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod whenever the bolt head moves to loosen a connection between the second section of the L-shaped arm and one of the guide and the load member. 
         [0022]    By using the rod-and-bracket connector system to secure the pivoting member, such as the flap, to the guide anchor, such as the slider, the present rod-and-bracket connector assembly eliminates any need for traditional threaded bolt extensions passing out of the retention and/or pivoting member throughbores, to be secured within the throughbores and between the confining strength walls by traditional threaded nuts, washers and other complex, large bolt and lock-nut apparatus. This enables the guide shoulders to be thicker, and hence stronger and more durable within the same space between the strength walls of the guide anchor. Or, the guide shoulders may remain the same size, while the distance between the strength walls is reduced, thereby reducing the size and weight of the guide track, without reducing the size or strength of the guide shoulders. Alternatively, the guide track could be made somewhat smaller, while the guide shoulders are made somewhat larger, to thereby reduce the size of the guide track while simultaneously increasing the strength and durability of the guide anchor to produce a connector assembly having optimal characteristics for specific design requirements. 
         [0023]    Accordingly, it is a general object of the present disclosure to provide a rod-and-bracket connector system for securing a pivoting member to a guide anchor moveably secured within a guide track that overcomes deficiencies of the prior art. 
         [0024]    It is a more specific object of the present disclosure to provide a rod-and-bracket connector system for securing a pivoting member to a guide anchor moveably secured within a guide track that provides for optionally minimizing a size of components of the connector assembly, maximizing strength and durability of the components of the assembly, or altering the size, strength and durability of the system components to produce a predetermined size, strength and durability that is optimal for a specific use, such as within an exhaust nozzle assembly 
         [0025]    These and other objects and values of the present disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is an axial cross-section view of a gas turbine engine showing an exhaust nozzle assembly being a working environment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a connector system constructed in accordance with the present invention and utilized within the exhaust nozzle assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of a mechanical guide of an exhaust nozzle assembly showing a bolt and threaded nut assembly securing a flap to and between shoulders of the mechanical guide assembly shown along view line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the bold and threaded nut assembly of  FIG. 3  shown along view line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a rod-and-bracket connector of the present disclosure, and showing a securing bolt displaced from the connector. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a mechanical guide of an exhaust nozzle assembly showing a rod-and-bracket connector securing a flap between shoulders of the mechanical guide. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a cross-section view of a rod of the  FIG. 6  rod-and-bracket connector passing through first and second shoulder retention throughbores of the mechanical guide and passing through a flap throughbore of the flap shown along view line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the rod-and-bracket connector showing lock extensions on a second section of an L-shaped arm of the connector and showing a bolt head displaced from the connector. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Referring to the drawings in detail,  FIG. 1  is an axial cross-section of a gas turbine engine  10  including an engine central axis  12 , a fan section  14 , a compressor section  16 , a combustion section  18 , a turbine section  20 , and exhaust nozzle assembly  22 . (It is noted that the  FIG. 1  gas turbine engine  10  components are not drawn to scale, and are only a simplified view for orientation of the important aspects of the disclosure discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 2-8 .) The exhaust nozzle assembly  22  includes a plurality of convergent flaps  26  and divergent flaps  28 . During operation of the gas turbine engine  10 , a working medium gas stream  27 , such as atmospheric air, is pulled into the engine  10  by the fan  12  section, then compressed in the compression section  16 , then mixed with fuel and combusted in the combustion section  18 , which combustion expands the fuel air mixture to increase the pressure of the mixture that then passes through turbine section  20  rotating turbines therein which in turn rotate compressor blades in the compression section  16 , in a manner well known in the art. The combusted fuel air mixture then exits the engine through an unimpeded area  29  of the exhaust nozzle assembly  22 . Control of the convergent flaps  26  and divergent flaps  28  changes the dimensions of the unimpeded area  29  to thereby effect thrust of the engine  10 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is an expanded side view of a connector system  30  of the present disclosure that may be utilized within the exhaust nozzle assembly  22  of  FIG. 1 . The connector system  30  shown in  FIG. 2  includes a guide track  34  that houses an anchor or guide anchor  36  within the track  34 . A pivoting member  38 , such as a convergent flap  26 , is pivotally secured to the guide anchor  36 . The guide track  34  is secured to a nozzle static structure  40  that may take the form of an annular ring surrounding the aft portion  42  of the engine  10  and co-axial with the central axis  12  of the engine  10 . 
         [0036]    An actuator  44  controls motion of the pivoting member  38 , such as by way of a sync ring  39  that surrounds the central axis  12  of the engine  10 . The pivoting member  38  may be a convergent flap  26  that is secured to the sync ring  39  and that is also anchored to the guide anchor  36 . As the actuator  44  pushes or pulls the sync ring  39 , the convergent flap  26  moves in a manner controlled by movement of the guide anchor  36  that is secured within the guide track  34 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pivoting member  38  pivots upward about pivot connection  46  along the guide track  34  as the actuator  44  moves the sync ring  39  and pivoting member  38  from the left to the right in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  also shows a guide track  34  and guide anchor  36  utilized within the connector system  30  of the gas turbine engine  10  exhaust nozzle assembly  22 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  is another pivoting member  48 , namely a divergent flap  48  pivotally connected to a distal end  50  of the first pivoting member  33  or convergent flap  26 . A linkage strut assembly  52  connects the divergent flap  48  with a pivot mount  53  secured to the sync ring  39  that is operated by the actuator  44  so that the divergent flap  48  moves in response to movement of the convergent flap  26 .  FIG. 2  also shows a support assembly  54  means for securing the exhaust nozzle assembly to the aft-portion  42  of the gas turbine engine  10 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the guide track  34  of the connector system  30  of the exhaust nozzle assembly  22  taken along view line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . The guide track  34  defines a linear trackway  56  having a first strength wall  58  that is secured to a first edge  60  of the trackway  56 . A second strength wall  62  that is parallel to the first strength wall  58  is secured to an opposed second edge  64  of the trackway  56 . The first and second strength walls  58 ,  62  ascend above a support surface  66  of the trackway  56  in a direction away from the support surface  66 . The guide anchor  36  or mechanical guide  36  is movably secured between the first and second strength walls  58 ,  62  and is also secured adjacent the support surface  66  of the trackway  56 . The guide anchor  36  is secured against movement away from the support surface  66 , but is secured for linear movement along the trackway  56 , such as by rollers (not shown), or a slide surface  68 , etc. The guide anchor  36  includes at least one guide shoulder  70 .  FIG. 3  shows a second guide shoulder  72 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4 , which is a cross-section of  FIG. 3 , taken along sight-lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , shows that the first guide shoulder  70  defines a first retention throughbore  74 , and that the second guide shoulder  72  defines a second retention throughbore  76 . The pivoting member  38  also defines a pivoting member throughbore  78  that is dimensioned to be secured adjacent the first guide shoulder  70  so that a longitudinal axis  80  within the throughbores  74 ,  76 ,  78  extends through the first retention throughbore  74 , the pivoting member throughbore  78  and the second retention throughbore  76 . The longitudinal axis  80  within the throughbores  74 ,  76 ,  78  is also parallel to a width axis  82  between the first and second strength walls  58 ,  62 . The width axis  82  defines a shortest distance between the opposed first and second strength walls  58 ,  62 . Additionally, the longitudinal axis  80  within the throughbores  74 ,  76 ,  78  extends between the first and second strength walls  58 ,  62 , so that the throughbores  74 ,  76 ,  78  are not above the strength walls  58 ,  62 , but are between and confined by the strength walls  58 ,  62 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  show the pivoting member  38  or convergent flap  26  secured to the guide anchor  36  by a traditional wide-head bolt  84  with a threaded nut assembly  80  passing through the throughbores  74 ,  76  and  78 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a rod-and-bracket connector  88  of the present disclosure that is used to replace the wide-head bolt  84  and threaded nut assembly  86  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  FIG. 5  shows a second securing wide-head bolt  90  displaced away from the connector  88 . The rod-and-bracket connector  88  includes a rod  92  of the connector  88  that is dimensioned to pass through the first throughbore  74  of the first guide shoulder  70 , to pass through the pivoting member throughbore  78 , and to pass through the pivoting second retention throughbore  76  of the second guide shoulder  72 . The rod  92  therefore secures member  38  to the guide anchor  36 . 
         [0041]    The rod-and-bracket connector  88  is also configured so that a first section  94  of an L-shaped arm  96  of the connector  88  is secured to an end of the rod  92  that extends beyond one of the first retention throughbore  74 , the pivoting member throughbore  78  (if the guide anchor  36  includes only one guide shoulder  70 ), or the second retention throughbore  76  of the second guide shoulder  72 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the first section  94  of the L-shaped arm  96  extends in a direction about perpendicular a longitudinal axis of the rod  92  and also extends a distance sufficient to extend beyond an exterior edge  98  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the guide anchor  36 ′. The L-shaped arm  96  is also constructed so that a second section  100  of the L-shaped arm  96  is secured to a portion  102  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the first section  94  of the L-shaped arm  96  that extends beyond the exterior edge  98  of the guide anchor  36 ′. (In  FIGS. 6 and 7 , components that are virtually identical to components described with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , are show with reference numerals having primes of the same reference numerals in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . For example the guide anchor  36  of  FIGS. 3 and 4  is designated  36 ′ in  FIGS. 6 and 7 .) The second section  100  of the L-shaped arm  96  extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod  92  and also extends adjacent the exterior edge  98  of the guide anchor  36 ′. 
         [0042]    The second section  100  of the L-shaped arm  96  includes a fastener  104  means for securing the second section  100  of the L-shaped arm  96  to either the guide anchor  36 ′ or the pivoting member  38 ′. The fastener means  104  may include a wide-head securing bolt  90  and receiving bore  106  as described below, or a standard mechanical screw, a weld, a bond, a tongue-and-groove fastening arrangement, an ancillary spring clip (none of which are shown in the drawings) for securing the second section  100  to the guide anchor  36 ′, or pivoting member  38 ′, or any other apparatus known in the art for performing the straight-forward function described for the fastener means  104 .  FIG. 5  also shows that a particular fastener means  104  includes the second wide-head bolt  90 , having a stem  108  dimensioned to pass through a bolt throughbore  110  defined within the second section  100  of the L-shaped arm  96 , and having a holt head  112  being configured to be wider than the bolt throughbore  110  of the second section  100  of arm  96 . The stem  108  is configured to be selectively secured within and removed from the receiving bore  106 .  FIG. 5  also shows that a securing washer  114  may also be utilized with the fastener means  104 , if necessary. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7  show that the guide track  34 ,  34 ′ is in the form of a slider track  34 ′ secured to a nozzle static structure  40  of an exhaust nozzle assembly  22  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of a gas turbine engine  10 . The guide anchor  36 ,  36 ′ is in the form of a slider  36 ,  36 ′ secured within the slider track  34 ,  34 ′, and the slider track  34 ,  34 ′ is configured for permitting sliding motion of the slider  36 ,  36 ′ within the slider track  34 ,  34 ′.  FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7  also show the guide anchor  36 ,  36 ′ secured above the support surface  66 ,  66 ′ of a slide-way  116  (identified only in  FIGS. 6 and 7  for numbering efficiency) extending between a first lock-slot  118  and a second lock-slot  120 . The first lock-slot  118  is defined at a first edge  122  of the slide way  116 , and the second lock slot  120  is defined at a second edge  124  of the slide-way  116 . The slider  36 ′ is secured within the slider track  34 ′ adjacent the slide-way  116  by a first lock wedge  126  extending into the first lock-slot  118  and by an opposed second lock wedge  128  extending into the second lock-slot  120  of the slider  36 ,  36 ′. 
         [0044]    In the  FIGS. 4 and 7  embodiment described above of the present connector system, a distance of the width axis  82 ,  82 ′ extending a shortest distance between the opposed first and second strength walls  58 ,  58 ′,  62 ,  62 ′ is represented as X, as also designated in  FIGS. 4 and 7  by the letter “X” and a lead line. Additionally, a shortest distance through all of the throughbores defined between the first and second strength walls (including but not limited to throughbores  74 ,  76 ,  78 ) is herein represented by Z (although not shown in the drawings), and Z is between about 60% and about 95% of the distance of X. (For purposes herein, the word “about” is to mean plus or minus 10%.) 
         [0045]    Also in the  FIGS. 6 and 7  embodiment described above of the present connector system, a distance of the width axis  82 ,  82 ′ extending a shortest distance between the opposed first and second strength walls  58 ,  58 ′,  62 ,  62 ′ is represented as X. A shortest distance through the first retention throughbore  74  is represented herein by Y (although not so represented in the drawings), as also designated in  FIGS. 4 and 7  by the letter “Y” and a lead line. A shortest distance through the flap retention throughbore  78  is represented herein by Z (although not so represented in the drawings). A shortest distance through the second retention throughbore  76  is represented herein by W (although not so represented in the drawings). In this embodiment, a sum of the distances Y plus Z plus W is between about 60% and about 95% of the distance of X. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  shows an alternative rod-and-bracket connector  130 . (Components of the alternative rod-and-bracket connector  130  that are virtually identical to the  FIG. 5  rod-and-bracket connector  88  are shown as primes of the reference numerals shown in  FIG. 5 . For example, the rod  92  of the connector  88  of  FIG. 5  is shown as  92 ′ in  FIG. 8 .) In the alternative connector  130 , the second section  100 ′ of the L-shaped arm  96 ′ defines a through slot  132  extending from the bolt throughbore  110 ′ to and through a perimeter edge  134  of the second section  100 ′ of the L-shaped arm  96 ′, so that the through slot  132  defines a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod  92 ′. Therefore, the through slot  132  in the second section  100 ′ of the L-shaped arm  96 ′ may slide around a stem  108 ′ of a securing wide-head bolt  90 ′ secured to one of the guide anchor  36 ,  36 ′ and the pivoting member  38 ,  38 ′. The second section  100 ′ of the arm  96 ′ includes at least one lock extension  136 . ( FIG. 8  shows an optional second lock extension  138 .) The lock extension  136  is adjacent the through slot  132  and extends away from an outer surface  140  of the second section  100 ′ of the L-shaped arm  96 ′ in a direction away from the guide anchor  36 ′. The lock extension  136  is configured to abut the bolt head  112 ′ secured to the securing bolt  90 ′, so that the lock extension  136  prevents movement of the rod  92 ′ and alternative rod-and-bracket connector  130  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod  92 ′ if the bolt head  112 ′ moves to loosen a connection between the second section  100 ′ of the L-shaped arm  96 ′ and one of the guide anchor  36 ′ and the pivoting member  38 ′. 
         [0047]    All patents, published patent applications and related patent documents referred to herein are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
         [0048]    While the above disclosure has been presented with respect to the described and illustrated embodiments of the rod-and-bracket connector for securing a flap to a slider within an exhaust nozzle assembly of a gas turbine engine, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to those alternatives and described embodiments. Accordingly, reference should be made primarily to the following claims rather than the foregoing description to determine the scope of the disclosure.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5