Back to results
US 12,163,491 B2Granted
Non-axisymmetric heat shield, a nozzle defined at least partially by the heat shield, an engine including the nozzle, and a vehicle including the engine
OwnerThomas Ryan McCullough, Thomas Feldmaninventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heat shield for protecting a windward side of a vehicle from a high enthalpy flow is disclosed. The heat shield includes a centerbody sidewall and a centerbody base extending aft of the centerbody sidewall. The centerbody sidewall and the centerbody base define a heat shield outer surface that is non-axisym metric. Also disclosed is an aerospike nozzle defined at least partially by the heat shield, an engine including a high pressure chamber and the aerospike nozzle, and a vehicle including the engine.
Claims28
An aerospike nozzle, comprising:
- a throat;
- and
- a centerbody extending aft of the throat, the centerbody including:
- a centerbody sidewall defining an expansion surface;
- and
- a centerbody base extending aft of the centerbody sidewall;
- wherein the centerbody sidewall and the centerbody base define a heat shield outer surface that is non-axisymmetric.
4 more elements
An engine, comprising:
- a high pressure chamber;
- an aerospike nozzle that exhausts gas generated by the high pressure chamber, the aerospike nozzle including:
- a throat;
- and
- a centerbody extending aft of the throat, the centerbody including:
- a centerbody sidewall defining an expansion surface;
- and
- a centerbody base extending aft of the centerbody sidewall;
- wherein the centerbody sidewall and the centerbody base define a heat shield outer surface that is non-axisymmetric.
6 more elements
A vehicle, comprising:
- an engine including a high pressure chamber;
- and
- an aerospike nozzle that exhausts gas generated by the high pressure chamber, the aerospike nozzle including:
- a throat;
- and
- a centerbody extending aft of the throat, the centerbody including:
- a centerbody sidewall defining an expansion surface;
- and
- a centerbody base extending aft of the centerbody sidewall;
- wherein the centerbody sidewall and the centerbody base define a heat shield outer surface that is non-axisymmetric.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.