Patent · US Expired

Distributed erosion region rocket motor nozzle

US5579635A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
36References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 18, 1994
Grant dateDec 3, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 18, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02K9/97
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A rocket motor nozzle has a nozzle core that defines a nozzle passage through which combustion products travel during flight. The erosive forces created by the combustion products are longitudinally distributed over the nozzle core so that the nozzle's smallest area remains substantially constant in spite of the erosion. An inner surface of the nozzle core defines the nozzle passage. The inner surface includes an entry region which defines a nozzle entry, an exit region which defines an exit, and an elongate erosion region which defines an erosion passage between the entry and exit. The erosion region length is greater than the average smallest passage diameter, thereby allowing the location of the erosion focus along the erosion region to vary over time as a result of erosion of the erosion region. The nozzle core is formed of a fibrous composite material which is selected according to the type of propellant used and which includes fibers oriented transverse to the erosion passage to resist erosion.

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