Systems and methods for launch vehicle dome manufacturing
AssigneeABL Space Systems
InventorsHarrison O'Hanley, Daniel Piemont
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for forming a dome used in a launch vehicle includes cutting a disk from a plate, the disk having a first disk diameter. The method also includes forming a bend in the disk, the bend applying a curvature to at least a portion of the disk, the disk having a second disk diameter after the forming. The method further includes performing a first heat-treating process to the disk. The method also includes performing a second heat-treating process to the disk. The method further includes machining the disk to remove at least a portion of a thickness of the disk.
Claims20
A method for forming a dome used in a launch vehicle, comprising:
- cutting a disk from a plate, the disk having a first disk diameter;
- forming a bend in the disk, the bend applying a curvature to at least a portion of the disk using at least one bump forming process performed on a bump forming machine, the disk having a second disk diameter after the forming;
- performing a first heat-treating process to the disk, the first heat-treating process reducing residual stresses within the disk;
- performing a second heat-treating process to the disk, the second heat-treating process increasing a strength of the disk;
- and
- machining the disk to remove at least a portion of a thickness of the disk.
A method for forming a dome used in a launch vehicle, comprising:
- cutting a disk from a flat plate;
- increasing a ductility of the disk, via an annealing process;
- shaping the disk into an elliptical profile, via a bump forming process performed on a bump forming machine;
- reducing a residual stress in the disk, via a first heat-treating process;
- increasing a strength of the disk, via a second heat-treating process;
- and
- reducing a thickness of the disk, via a machining operation.
A method for forming a dome used in a launch vehicle, comprising:
- cutting a circular disk from a 2219 aluminum alloy plate, the disk having a first diameter;
- forming, using a bump forming process performed on a bump forming machine, the circular disk into a dome having a 2:1 width to depth ratio elliptical profile, the dome having a second diameter;
- performing an annealing process to the dome to reduce residual stresses within the dome;
- performing a tempering process to the dome to increase a strength of the dome, the tempering process applying a -T62 temper designation to the dome;
- and
- removing, using a machining process, at least a portion of a thickness of the dome.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.