Thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine
AssigneeAerojet-General Corporation
InventorsCharles G. Sota, Jr., George J. Callis, Robert K. Masse
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine for propelling and maneuvering a vehicle is disclosed. The plug nozzle rocket engine includes a housing having a nozzle throat, a plug disposed within the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat, and a thrust diverter moveably disposed relative to the housing to define an asymmetric pressure distribution along the plug for thrust-vectoring. In one embodiment, the thrust diverter is normally biased to a non-thrust-vectoring position, but is moveable in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis extending longitudinally through the plug.
Claims24
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a nozzle throat;
- (b) a plug disposed relative to the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat;
- and
- (c) a thrust diverter slideably disposed relative to the housing to provide an asymmetric surface pressure distribution along the plug for thrust-vectoring.
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a nozzle throat;
- (b) a plug disposed relative to the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat;
- and
- (c) a thrust diverter moveably disposed relative to the housing to provide an asymmetric surface pressure distribution along the plug for thrust-vectoring, wherein the thrust diverter is slidably disposed relative to the nozzle throat.
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a nozzle throat;
- (b) a plug disposed relative to the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat;
- and
- (c) a thrust diverter moveably disposed relative to the housing to provide an asymmetric surface pressure distribution along the plug for thrust-vectoring, wherein the thrust diverter is moveable in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis extending longitudinally through the plug.
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a nozzle throat;
- (b) a plug disposed relative to the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat;
- and
- (c) a thrust diverter moveably disposed relative to the housing to provide an asymmetric surface pressure distribution along the plug for thrust-vectoring further comprising a first actuator coupled to the thrust diverter, the first actuator selectively moving the thrust diverter relative to the plug.
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a nozzle throat;
- (b) a plug disposed relative to the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat;
- and
- (c) a thrust diverter moveably disposed relative to the housing to provide an asymmetric surface pressure distribution along the plug for thrust-vectoring, wherein the plug is moveable within the housing between an open position and a closed position relative to the nozzle throat.
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a nozzle throat;
- (b) a plug translationally mounted within the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat;
- and
- (c) a thrust diverter slideably disposed relative to the housing to angularly deflect thrust relative to the plug for thrust-vectoring.
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a nozzle throat;
- (b) a plug translationally mounted within the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat;
- and
- (c) a thrust diverter moveably disposed relative to the housing to angularly deflect thrust relative to the plug for thrust-vectoring, wherein the thrust diverter is moveable in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis extending longitudinally through the plug.
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a nozzle throat;
- (b) a plug translationally mounted within the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat;
- and
- (c) a thrust diverter moveably disposed relative to the housing to angularly deflect thrust relative to the plug for thrust-vectoring, further comprising a first actuator coupled to the thrust diverter, the first actuator selectively moving the thrust diverter relative to the plug.
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a nozzle throat;
- (b) a plug translationally mounted within the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat;
- and
- (c) a thrust diverter moveably disposed relative to the housing to angularly deflect thrust relative to the plug for thrust-vectoring, wherein the plug is moveable within the housing between an open position and a closed position relative to the nozzle throat.
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) means for generating thrust;
- (b) means for controlling the thrust, the means for controlling the thrust being operative between full on and full off flow positions;
- and
- (c) means for thrust-vectoring, the means for thrust-vectoring slideably disposed relative to the housing to selectively produce an apparent angular thrust vector deflection by introducing surface pressure asymmetry along the length of a plug.
A thrust vector control system for a plug nozzle rocket engine, comprising:
- (a) a housing having a nozzle throat;
- (b) a plug disposed relative to the housing and positioned within the nozzle throat to define a space between the plug and the nozzle throat, wherein the plug is moveable within the housing between an open position and a closed position relative to the nozzle throat;
- (c) a thrust diverter, including a plate having an opening with a diameter, a first actuator coupled to the plate, and a second actuator coupled to the plate;
- (d) the plate being moveably disposed relative to the housing in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis extending longitudinally through the plug;
- (e) the plate being normally biased to a non-thrust-vectoring position;
- (f) the first and second actuators selectively moving the plate relative to the housing;
- and
- (g) the plate being moveable to a thrust-vectoring position, wherein when the plate is in a thrust-vectoring position, the plate defines an asymmetric surface pressure distribution along the plug.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.