Variable mode turbofan jet engine with thrust vectoring

Keywords: Patents, Jet engines, Thrust

In GB Patent GB 2353983 Adrian Alexander Hubbard describes a jet engine. It comprises a low bypass turbofan unit including a secondary fan and core, ahead of which is located a larger diameter main fan driven from the front of the secondary fan, via a drive shaft. Part of the flow from the main fan feeds the secondary fan, via a central duct. The outer portion of the airflow from the main fan is ducted into a split exhaust plenum chamber, having thrust-vectoring devices. A thrust splitter is provided at each forward end of two variable-area outer ducts defined by double-hinged inner and outer doors, whereby the degree of bypass and supercharging of the secondary compressor by air from the main fan can be varied. Both outer ducts join at a point just ahead of the secondary fan. Between this joint and the secondary fan an intercooler may be provided.