Variable geometry aircraft pylon structure and related operation techniques

摘要

An aircraft control structure can be utilized for purposes of drag management, noise control, or aircraft flight maneuvering. The control structure includes a high pressure engine nozzle, such as a bypass nozzle or a core nozzle of a turbofan engine. The nozzle exhausts a high pressure fluid stream, which can be swirled using a deployable swirl vane architecture. The control structure also includes a variable geometry pylon configured to be coupled between the nozzle and the aircraft. The variable geometry pylon has a moveable pylon section that can be deployed into a deflected state to maintain or alter a swirling fluid stream (when the swirl vane architecture is deployed) for drag management purposes, or to assist in the performance of aircraft flight maneuvers.

主权项

1. An aircraft control structure comprising:
a nozzle assembly configured to exhaust a swirling fluid stream; and a pylon configured to be coupled between the nozzle assembly and an aircraft support structure, the pylon comprising a moveable pylon section positioned proximate an exit end of the nozzle assembly such that when deployed into a deflected state the moveable pylon section maintains the swirling fluid stream.