Patent ID: 7032387

Claim:
A centerbody for an exhaust system of a gas turbine engine, the centerbody comprising: a forward portion, having first outer and inner surfaces, being adapted to be positioned such that exhaust gas flows along the first outer surface, the forward portion having at least one flap at a downstream end thereof, each flap being inclined toward the first outer surface such that a zone of local low pressure is induced in the exhaust gas flow downstream of each flap without significantly impeding the exhaust gas flow; a tailcone having second outer and inner surfaces, the tailcone having a closed end and an open end, the tailcone being partially inserted into the forward portion, and at least part of the at least one flap overlaps an upstream portion of the open end; a centerbody cavity defined by the first and second inner surfaces and by the closed end, the centerbody cavity containing gas at a pressure higher than the local low pressure; and at least one opening defined between the forward portion and the tailcone, the opening being located immediately adjacent to said flap and upstream of one of the zones of local low pressure and providing fluid communication between the cavity and the exhaust gas flow; whereby a ventilation flow out of the centerbody cavity through each opening is induced by a positive difference between the pressure of the gas contained in the centerbody cavity and the local low pressure of the adjacent zone.