THRUST VECTORING TECHNIQUES

摘要

A thrust directing mechanism (430) to vector thrust and control discharge throat area is disclosed. Mechanism (430) includes a number of vanes (460a-460h) mounted across passage (418) of thrust vectoring nozzle (440). Mechanism (430) includes control linkage (486) pivotally coupled to each of vanes (460a-460h). The control linkage (486) is selectively movable to correspondingly pivot vanes (460a-460h) and has a link with at least two degrees of freedom corresponding to a two-coordinate position. A desired orientation of vanes (460a-460h) may be determined as a function of the two-coordinate position. The discharge exit area is contracted by adjusting convergence of vanes (460a-460h). During convergence, vanes (460a-460h) are pivoted to various pivot angles selected to optimize thrust efficiency when contracting the discharge throat area.