Robert Bryan Fitzgerald

US Patent:

47549270, Jul 5, 1988

Filed:

Dec 8, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/939197

Inventors:

Robert E. Fitzgerald - New Britain CT

Assignee:

Colt Industries Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

B63H 2546

US Classification:

23926517

Abstract:

A boundary layer thrust vector control nozzle (10) has a housing (18), the aft end of which has attached a control vane assembly (12). The control vane assembly includes two brackets (78, 80) which receive two vanes (86,88) such that the vanes are in spaced parallel relationship and extend across the exhaust opening. The vanes have equal but opposite angles of attack and are adapted to generate large side forces in a perpendicular plane and small side forces in a plane parallel to the vanes. The nozzle includes four sets of control ports (44, 46) for deflecting an exhaust plume to produce the large and small side forces also to produce significant roll moments.

US Patent:

39956628, Dec 7, 1976

Filed:

Jun 16, 1972

Appl. No.:

5/263843

Inventors:

Robert E. Fitzgerald - Wethersfield CT
Robert F. Kampe - West Hartford CT

Assignee:

Chandler Evans Inc. - West Hartford CT

International Classification:

F15C 104

US Classification:

137825

Abstract:

Fluidic switches characterized by a first divergent region immediately downstream of a nozzle throat and a second downstream region of reduced divergence which will be contacted by a deflected jet. The switches of the present invention include control ports which are normally open to the ambient atmosphere, the ports being located at or near the free stream separation point, and the transition from the first divergent section to the second section is located at or near the attached stream separation point. The switches of the present invention may assume a circular cross-section and when so doing will be provided with a plurality of ribs on the internal surface for preventing circumferential flow about a deflected jet.

US Patent:

40775720, Mar 7, 1978

Filed:

Mar 25, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/670164

Inventors:

Robert Edward Fitzgerald - Wethersfield CT

Assignee:

Chandler Evans Inc. - West Hartford CT

International Classification:

B63H 2546
B64C 1510

US Classification:

23926517

Abstract:

An overexpanded thrust vector control nozzle has a converging extension section downstream of the jet exhaust stream deflecting section for defining a restriction or orifice. The orifice functions to elevate the exhaust pressure in the deflection section, which permits a reduction in nozzle size for operation at high and low altitudes. The orifice, which isolates the deflection section from outside ambient pressure, receives a deflected exhaust stream after it is turned in the direction opposite to that of the original stream deflection by the wall of the converging section. Control ports, which are adapted to communicate with a source of pressurized control fluid, are provided in the deflection section to position the exhaust stream.

US Patent:

40183840, Apr 19, 1977

Filed:

Feb 13, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/657751

Inventors:

Robert Edward Fitzgerald - Wethersfield CT
Robert Frederick Kampe - West Hartford CT

Assignee:

Chandler Evans Inc. - West Hartford CT

International Classification:

B63H 1110

US Classification:

23926519

Abstract:

An exhaust nozzle has two frames each with flow attachment surfaces, mounted on its exit end in diametrically opposed relationship. Side plates are mounted on the sides of the attachment surfaces in such a manner that the plates project inwardly toward the axis of the nozzle. The attachment surfaces and their respective side plates define flow channels which receive only annular sectors of the exhaust stream emanating from the nozzle. Each flow channel is of sufficient radial depth and curvature to permit ambient pressure at a selected location on the attachment surface to detach the exhaust stream. A plurality of passages are provided in each frame for communicating ambient pressure to the respective attachment surfaces. A solenoid operated valve on each frame controls communication between the respective passages and the ambient atmosphere. A pulse ratio modulator circuit, responsive to a command signal, applies pulses to the valves such that an annular sector of flow may be successively attached and detached to generate a lateral force having a duration corresponding to the magnitude of the command signal.