Patent · US Active

Seal for gimbaling and/or fixed rocket engine nozzles, and associated systems and methods

US11391243B1 · kind B1 · utility

1Cited by
45References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 9, 2020
Grant dateJul 19, 2022
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 31, 2040

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF05D2260/50
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Seals for gimbaling and/or fixed rocket engine nozzles, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative rocket propulsion system includes a rocket engine having an exhaust nozzle, a seal plate carried by the exhaust nozzle, and a seal engaged with the seal plate. The seal includes at least one support, multiple pivotable first flaps, carried by the at least one support and positioned to contact the seal plate, and multiple pivotable second flaps, with an individual second flap positioned to shield a corresponding individual first flap. At least one forcing element is operatively coupled to at least one of the individual first flap or the individual second flap, to apply a pivoting force to the at least one of the individual first flap or the individual second flap.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.