Attitude control and thrust boosting system and method for space launchers
US11554882B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 21, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05D2220/80
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An attitude control and thrust boosting system (100) for a space launcher is disclosed, wherein the space launcher is equipped with a rocket engine (303) provided with an exhaust nozzle. The exhaust nozzle comprises a divergent portion (302) so designed as to make a supersonic gas flow exit through an exit section defined by a given angle of divergence with respect to a longitudinal axis of the rocket engine. The attitude control and thrust boosting system (100) comprises flaps (110, 111, 112, 113) that are arranged around the exit section, are shaped so as to extend the divergent portion of the exhaust nozzle, are mechanically decoupled from said exhaust nozzle and can be actuated to take different angular positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rocket engine. Control means (130) are also provided to receive quantities indicative of an actual attitude of the space launcher and an ambient static pressure, and to make the flaps (110,111,112,113) take a neutral angular position where the flaps (110,111,112,113) are inclined, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rocket engine, according to an inclination angle greater than, or equal to, the given angle of diverg…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.