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
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle for launching from a gun such as a gas gun and 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 gun-launched vehicle which comprises:
- an aero-shell configured to be jettisoned during flight;
- within an area defined by said aero-shell, a rocket propulsion system;
- and
- wherein the vehicle additionally has moving surfaces configured to provide lift during ascent through the atmosphere.
A gun-launched vehicle and gun in combination, comprising (1) said gun, and (2) said gun-launched vehicle, wherein said vehicle comprises
- an aero-shell configured to be jettisoned during flight;
- within an area defined by said aero-shell, a rocket propulsion system;
- and
- wherein the vehicle additionally has moving surfaces configured to provide lift during ascent through the atmosphere.
A method of launching a vehicle, the method comprising
- accelerating the vehicle using a gun;
- generating lift on the vehicle during launch using lift-generating movable surfaces of said vehicle;
- jettisoning an aero-shell of said vehicle during launch;
- and
- propelling the vehicle during launch using a rocket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.