Rocket assembly ablative materials formed from, as a precursor, staple cellulosic fibers, and method of insulating or thermally protecting a rocket assembly with the same
AssigneeCordant Technologies Inc.
InventorsKenneth P. Wilson, John K. Shigley, Allan P. Thompson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rocket motor assembly is insulated or thermally protected with a rocket motor ablative material formed from a prepreg. The prepreg contains at least an impregnating resin matrix and, as a precursor prior to carbonization, carded and spun staple cellulosic fibers. When patterned and carbonized, the rocket motor ablative material can be lined or otherwise placed into a rocket motor assembly, such as between the solid propellant and case, in the bulk area of the exit nozzle liner, or at susceptible portions of a re-entry vehicle, such as the nose cone.
Claims20
A method for insulating or thermally protecting a rocket motor assembly comprising a rocket motor casing containing a solid propellant, and a nozzle assembly coupled to the rocket motor casing, said process comprising (a) forming a rocket motor insulation from a prepreg comprising at least one resin matrix impregnated into a carbonized reinforcement, the carbonized reinforcement being formed from, as a precursor prior to carbonization, carded and yarn-spun staple cellulosic fibers and (b) insulating a portion of the rocket motor assembly with the rocket motor ablative material.
Rocket motor insulation comprising a prepreg, said prepreg comprising at least one carbonized reinforcement structure impregnated with at least one resin, said reinforcement structure being formed from, as a precursor prior to carbonization, carded and spun cellulosic fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.