Low noise ejector for a turbomachine

Abstract

A turbomachine includes a compressor and an ejector. The ejector includes at least one nozzle having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion defining a flow region. The second end portion includes a variable outlet for controlling an airflow from the compressor.

1 . A turbomachine comprising:
 a compressor; and   an ejector fluidly connected to the compressor, the ejector including at least one nozzle having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion defining a flow region, the second end portion including a variable outlet for controlling an airflow from the compressor.   
   
   
       2 . The turbomachine according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one nozzle includes a first nozzle and a second nozzle, the second nozzle being slidingly disposed with the first nozzle. 
   
   
       3 . The turbomachine according to  claim 2 , wherein the first nozzle includes a first chevron portion that defines a first dimension for the variable outlet and the second nozzle includes a second chevron portion that defines a second dimension for the variable outlet, the second dimension being distinct from the first dimension, the second nozzle being shiftable between a first position, wherein airflow from the compressor passes through the variable outlet configured at the first dimension, to a second position, wherein the airflow from the compressor passes through the variable outlet configured at the second dimension. 
   
   
       4 . The turbomachine according to  claim 1 , wherein the variable outlet is defined by a plurality of chevrons, each of the plurality of chevrons being pivotally connected to the second end of the at least one nozzle. 
   
   
       5 . The turbomachine according to  claim 4 , further comprising: a chevron collar operatively connected to each of the plurality of chevrons. 
   
   
       6 . The turbomachine according to  claim 5 , wherein the chevron collar is shiftably mounted to the at least one nozzle. 
   
   
       7 . The turbomachine according to  claim 4 , further comprising: an actuator rod operatively connected to the chevron collar, the actuator rod being adapted to selectively shift the chevron collar between a first position wherein the variable outlet is configured at the first dimension and a second position, wherein the variable outlet is configured at the second dimension, the second dimension being distinct from the first dimension. 
   
   
       8 . An ejector for a turbomachine comprises:
 at least one nozzle having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through a flow region, the second end portion including a variable outlet configured to control an airflow from a compressor.   
   
   
       9 . The ejector according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one nozzle includes a first nozzle and a second nozzle, the second nozzle being slidingly disposed with the first nozzle. 
   
   
       10 . The ejector according to  claim 9 , wherein the first nozzle includes a first chevron portion that defines a first dimension for the variable outlet and the second nozzle includes a second chevron portion that defines a second dimension for the variable outlet, the second dimension being distinct from the first dimension, the second nozzle being shiftable between a first position, wherein airflow from the compressor passes through the variable outlet configured at the first dimension, to a second position, wherein the airflow from the compressor passes through the variable outlet configured at the second dimension. 
   
   
       11 . The ejector according to  claim 8 , wherein the variable outlet is defined by a plurality of chevrons, each of the plurality of chevrons being pivotally connected to the second end of the ejector. 
   
   
       12 . The ejector according to  claim 11 , further comprising: a chevron collar operatively connected to each of the plurality of chevrons. 
   
   
       13 . The ejector according to  claim 12 , wherein the chevron collar is shiftably mounted to the at least one motive nozzle. 
   
   
       14 . The ejector according to  claim 12 , further comprising: an actuator rod operatively connected to the chevron collar, the actuator rod being adapted to selectively shift the chevron collar between a first position wherein the variable orifice has a first dimension and a second position, wherein the variable orifice has a second dimension, the second dimension being distinct from the first dimension. 
   
   
       15 . The ejector according to  claim 14 , wherein the first dimension defines a first diameter and the second dimension defines a second diameter. 
   
   
       16 . A method of controlling an airflow through an ejector for a turbomachine, the method comprising:
 generating an airflow in a compressor portion of the turbomachine;   guiding the airflow to an ejector;   passing the airflow to a nozzle of the ejector; and   passing the airflow through a variable outlet portion of the nozzle.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein passing the airflow though the variable outlet comprises shifting a secondary nozzle portion, arranged within the nozzle from a first position, wherein the airflow passes though the variable outlet portion configured at a first dimension, and a second position wherein the variable outlet is configured at a second dimension, the second dimension being distinct from the first dimension. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein passing the airflow though the variable outlet comprises pivoting a plurality of chevrons arranged on the nozzle from a first position, wherein the variable outlet portion is configured at a first dimension, to a second potion wherein the variable outlet portion is configured at a second dimension, the second dimension being distinct from the first dimension. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: selectively shifting a chevron collar to pivot the plurality of chevrons. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: passing the airflow at the desired pressure from the ejector into a turbine portion of the turbomachine.