Rocket nozzle assembly with separable nozzle extension
AssigneeBlue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
InventorsAdam M. Wuerl, David Alan Degenhardt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Rocket nozzle assembly having a separable outboard nozzle extension for transitioning from a vacuum-optimized to an atmospheric-optimized configuration. The nozzle assembly includes an inboard divergent nozzle section attached at an interface with a detachable outboard divergent nozzle extension. The nozzle and extension are removably attached via a connector, such as a clamp and strap. An actuator causes the connector to release and thereby allow the extension to separate from the nozzle in flight. The nozzle assembly may be used with a reusable second stage rocket that lands on the ground or an ocean platform. The nozzle extension may be replaced in between flights.
Claims14
A rocket nozzle assembly comprising:
- a nozzle having a frustoconical nozzle body that extends axially between an inboard nozzle end and an outboard nozzle end and defines a nozzle channel;
- a nozzle extension having a frustoconical extension body that extends axially from an inboard extension end to an outboard extension end, wherein the inboard extension end is removably coupled to the outboard nozzle end at an interface via a connector extending annularly about the interface, and wherein the frustoconical extension body defines an extension channel that is axially aligned with the nozzle channel;
- a first wedge ring and a second wedge ring sandwiching a portion of the nozzle with a portion of the nozzle extension along the interface by the connector;
- and
- an actuator in physical communication with the connector and configured to cause the nozzle extension to detach from the nozzle.
A rocket system comprising:
- a second stage rocket comprising one or more second stage rocket engines having a nozzle assembly configured to transform from a vacuum-optimized configuration to an atmospheric-optimized configuration, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises:
- a nozzle having a frustoconical nozzle body that extends axially between an inboard nozzle end and an outboard nozzle end and defines a nozzle channel;
- a nozzle extension having a frustoconical extension body that extends axially from an inboard extension end to an outboard extension end, wherein the inboard extension end is removably coupled to the outboard nozzle end at an interface via a connector extending annularly about the interface, and wherein the frustoconical extension body defines an extension channel that is axially aligned with the nozzle channel;
- a first wedge ring and a second wedge ring sandwiching a portion of the nozzle with a portion of the nozzle extension along the interface by the connector;
- and
- an actuator in physical communication with the connector and configured to cause the nozzle extension to detach from the nozzle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.