Self compensating rocket engine enhancement
US11585296B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2021 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF05D2260/605
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An annular ablative gas blocking device provides for automatic altitude compensation of a rocket engine exhaust plume. The nozzle is over expanded at low level launch altitudes and near optimally expanded at the highest altitude at the terminal burnout or staging altitude of the rocket engine. The ablative gas blocking device in the nozzle exit mitigates low altitude launch effects of an over expanded nozzle and inhibits external atmospheric air entrance into the nozzle at launch. The gas blocking means ablatively erodes away from plume impingement as the rocket ascends in a pre-programmed manner to achieve optimum area expansion ratio at all altitudes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.