Reusable separation system for rocket fairing and payload
AssigneeBlue Origin Manufacturing, LLC
InventorsAdam M. Wuerl, Joseph Paul Atkinson, Todd James Buchholz, David Alan Degenhardt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A separation system for a rocket having a payload release assembly and a fairing release assembly. Release devices secure and then separate the payload and fairing from the rocket. The release devices have rotatable bolts that retract. The release devices are cooled to survive reentry and may then be reused. A heat shield at the forward end of the rocket allows for reuse of the rocket and separation system. The rocket may be a reusable, upper (e.g. second) stage rocket.
Claims20
A release device for a separation system of a rocket, the release device comprising:
- a tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end and defining a channel extending axially therethrough;
- and
- a bolt comprising an axially extending shaft configured to be positioned within the channel of the tubular body and a transversely elongated head on a distal end of the shaft, wherein the bolt is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis from a first position where the head is configured to engage an expendable component and a second position where the head is configured to disengage from the expendable component to thereby allow the bolt to translate proximally through the channel and allow the expendable component to separate from the rocket, and wherein a cooling channel extends through the bolt configured to flow coolant therethrough.
A release device for an expendable component of a rocket, the release device comprising:
- a body comprising a channel extending through the body from a proximal end to a distal end;
- a bolt comprising a shaft and a head on a distal end of the shaft;
- and
- a cooling system configured to flow coolant to the body and through the bolt during reentry of the rocket into an atmosphere so that the release device is reusable.
A method of operating a release device with a component for securement with a rocket, the method comprising:
- positioning the component at a distal end of the release device;
- distally translating a bolt of the release device into a recess of the component, the bolt comprising a cooling channel extending therethrough;
- and
- rotating the bolt from a second position to a first position to engage a head of the bolt with the component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.