A novel tribometer for investigating wear behavior of axial-symmetric vectoring exhaust nozzle regulation mechanism under extreme conditions

Abstract

Axial-Symmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzles (AVENs) enhance aero-platform maneuverability by dynamically modulating exhaust flow. However, the durability of their regulation mechanisms remains a challenge due to high temperature, heavy load, and complex multi-body kinematics. It is crucial to conduct experiments to investigate AVEN-specific tribological behavior under extreme conditions. This study develops a novel tribometer to simulate coupling kinematic of roller-cam, pin-hinge and ball-socket joints, high-temperature operation (up to 800°C), and heavy-load conditions (up to 30 kN). The setup features a dual-configuration fixture, a hybrid motion-loading module, and a multi-layer heating and cooling system. The motion-loading module, comprising two electric cylinders, a hydraulic cylinder, and a rotary motor, enables precise replication of fixed and flexible kinematics under multi-force coupling. A dual-input, dual-output feedback system ensures accurate force and displacement control. Preliminary experiments validated the tribometer’s effectiveness and revealed dominant wear mechanisms, providing insights for AVEN durability improvements and tribological studies of complex aerospace mechanisms.