Length adjustable strut link with low aerodynamic drag
First Claim
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1. In combination:
- an aircraft jet engine;
an engine housing concentrically surrounding said engine and separated therefrom by an annular air flow space;
fan means within said housing and connected with said jet engine for generating high velocity axial air flow in said annular air flow space along the length of said engine and housing;
a structural link body member disposed across said annular airflow space between said jet engine and engine housing, said link body member having an air foil cross-section lengthwise disposed in said axial airflow in said annular airflow space;
and including means for limiting pivotal movement of said link body member about its longitudinal axis; and
differentially threaded termination means for connecting respective ends of said link body member with said jet engine and said engine housing;
whereby lengthwise disposition of said air foil cross-section in said axial airflow and high resolution adjustment of the annular space between said jet engine and said housing are simultaneously achievable.
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Abstract
A low aerodynamic drag structural link suitable for use within the housing of a turbofan jet engine; the link includes length adjustment capability, pivotal end mounting provision, maintained airstream orientation capability, low mass and jam nut length and orientation locking. Several variations in link construction including a single ball and socket arrangement, varying link cross-section along its longitudinal length and the use of fairing nose and tail inserts are disclosed.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. In combination:
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an aircraft jet engine; an engine housing concentrically surrounding said engine and separated therefrom by an annular air flow space; fan means within said housing and connected with said jet engine for generating high velocity axial air flow in said annular air flow space along the length of said engine and housing; a structural link body member disposed across said annular airflow space between said jet engine and engine housing, said link body member having an air foil cross-section lengthwise disposed in said axial airflow in said annular airflow space; and including means for limiting pivotal movement of said link body member about its longitudinal axis; and differentially threaded termination means for connecting respective ends of said link body member with said jet engine and said engine housing; whereby lengthwise disposition of said air foil cross-section in said axial airflow and high resolution adjustment of the annular space between said jet engine and said housing are simultaneously achievable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Low drag structural link apparatus for mounting in a high velocity airflow stream region of an aircraft while retaining first and second elements of said aircraft in predetermined juxtaposition comprising:
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a link body member disposed logitudinally between said aircraft independent elements and across said airflow stream region, said link body member having a streamlined cross-section extending along first and second link cross-sectional axes with the longer first cross-sectional axis extending substantially parallel to said airflow stream; a first link terminal member threadably received in said link body member at a first end thereof and capable of connecting said body member with said first aircraft element; a second link terminal member threadably received in said link body member at the second end thereof and capable of connecting said body member with said second aircraft element; spherical pivot means located at a predetermined one of said first and second link terminal members for enabling pivoting and off-link-orthogonal engagement of said predetermined terminal member with one of said aircraft elements; and means for retaining said first link body member cross-sectional axis parallel with said airflow stream, notwithstanding pivot capability residing in said spherical pivot means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification