Vehicle for launching from a gas gun
AssigneeQuicklaunch, Inc.
InventorsJohn William Hunter, Harry E. Cartland, Philip James Sluder, Richard Edward Twogood
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle for launching from a gas gun having a housing; preferably incorporating a precessional attitude control system; and utilizing a flared base, fins, or active use of the attitude control system during passage through the atmosphere. Subtly canting the fins can produce desired spinning of the vehicle. The propulsion system can employ liquid, hybrid, or solid fuel. A removable aero-shell assists atmospheric flight with thermal protection being provided by anticipated ablation, an ablative aero-spike, or transpirational cooling. And a releasable sabot enhances the effectiveness of the launch.
Claims26
A vehicle for launching from a gas gun, which comprises:
- an aero-shell configured to be jettisoned during flight;
- within an area defined by said aero-shell, a rocket propulsion system;
- wherein at least one of the aero-shell and a vehicle body within said aero-shell is configured to induce spin in the vehicle during flight;
- and said vehicle further comprising a releasable sabot enclosing at least a portion of said aero-shell.
A vehicle and gas gun in combination, comprising (1) said gas gun, wherein the gas gun has a launch tube adapted to impart spin to the vehicle and (2) said vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises
- an aero-shell configured to be jettisoned during flight;
- within an area defined by said aero-shell, a rocket propulsion system;
- and said vehicle further comprising a releasable sabot enclosing at least a portion of said aero-shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.