Numerical research on jet tab thrust vector nozzle aerodynamic characteristics

Abstract

Abstract Jet tab thrust vector nozzle is a unique kind of thrust vector device which generates control force by inserting tab into the nozzle exhaust. The influence of tab geometric parameters on the nozzle aerodynamic characteristics is not clear. In order to meet the requirements of control rate modeling and optimization of jet tab thrust vector control system, a computational study was conducted to investigate the effects of tab geometric parameters which include insertion height, width, axial distance, incline angle on nozzle aerodynamic characteristics. The flow structure of nozzle with different tabs are demonstrated, and thrust vector performance is evaluated. Results indicate that the lateral force coefficient and the thrust loss coefficient increased with the increase of the tab insertion height, the thrust vector efficiency decreased as the insertion height increased; increasing tab width increased the thrust vector efficiency, the thrust vector efficiency increased by 24.8% when the tab width increased form 10mm to 18mm; both increasing axial distance and increasing tilt angle decreased the lateral force and efficiency, in practical application, the axial position and incline angle should be minimized.