US 2009/0260343 A1 · SOLID PROPELLANT MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

Systems and methods of controlling solid propellant burn rate, propellant gas pressure, propellant gas pressure pulse shape, and propellant gas flow rate, rely on the position of a throttling valve. A throttling valve that is movable to a control position is disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with, a solid propellant gas generator, and in parallel with a plurality of reaction control valves. The solid propellant in the solid propellant gas generator is ignited, to thereby generate propellant gas. The throttling valve is moved to a control position to attain a desired solid propellant burn rate, propellant gas pressure, and/or propellant gas pressure pulse shape.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A solid propellant management control system, comprising:

a vessel defining a combustion chamber;
a solid propellant disposed within the combustion chamber, the solid propellant configured to generate propellant gas upon being ignited;
a plurality of reaction control valves in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, each reaction control valve coupled to receive reaction control signals and responsive thereto to selectively move between a closed position and a full-open position;
a throttling valve in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and coupled to receive throttling valve control signals, the throttling valve responsive to the throttling control signals to move to a control position that results in a desired combustion chamber pressure;
and
a controller operable to selectively supply the reaction control signals and the throttling valve control signals.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solid propellant management control system and method

Life of this patent

Solid propellant management control system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20