Abstract: A thermal barrier for extremely high temperature applications consists of a carbon fiber core and one or more layers of braided carbon fibers surrounding the core. The thermal barrier is preferably a large diameter ring, having a relatively small cross-section. The thermal barrier is particularly suited for use as part of a joint structure in solid rocket motor casings to protect low temperature elements such as the primary and secondary elastomeric O-ring seals therein from high temperature gases of the rocket motor. The thermal barrier exhibits adequate porosity to allow pressure to reach the radially outward disposed O-ring seals allowing them to seat and perform the primary sealing function. The thermal barrier is disposed in a cavity or groove in the casing joint, between the hot propulsion gases interior of the rocket motor and primary and secondary O-ring seals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas turbine engine jet noise suppressor which does not appreciably adversely impact engine thrust and performance. The jet noise suppressor includes a nozzle, having an arrangement thereon of tabs disposed on the downstream end of the nozzle, the tabs having a length and the angular offset with respect to the engine flow such that mixing occurs primarily at the interface of the engine flow and the ambient air. In addition, various construction details are developed for the tabs including tabs that are trapezoidal with tapered sides such that the tabs minimize adverse impact to engine performance.

Abstract: A deployment inhibiting arrangement for a jet engine thrust reverser system, the system including one or more actuators for operating a thrust reverser of the system and first locking means for the or each actuator normally serving to hold the system in a condition in which the thrust reverser is undeployed, the inhibiting arrangement including additional locking means normally held in an inactive condition, but operable by means independent of said one or more actuators and said first locking means to provide an additional mechanical lock serving to prevent deployment of the thrust reverser irrespective of the condition of the first locking means and/or actuator(s). The invention also relates to a jet engine thrust reverser system, the system including such a deployment inhibiting arrangement.

Abstract: A rocket nozzle having an inlet, a middle region, a throat and an outlet, wherein a ratio of the cross-sectional area of the inlet to the throat is about 1.1. The middle region preferably has a shape which rises to an apex. Such a configuration places particles resulting from combustion on a trajectory which misses the wall of the nozzle at the throat or choke point, thereby decreasing throat erosion/ablation.

Abstract: A composite tubular article such as a nozzle or a polar boss for a rocket motor wherein straight matrix impregnated yarn portions extend from one end portion to the other in a non-cylindrical ply to achieve increased strength while affording lighter weight. The matrix material may be at least partially curable by actinic radiation to anchor the yarn portions in position as they are applied on a mandrel so that radial rods or the like for anchoring the yarn may be eliminated. For high performance rocket motor nozzle components and the like, the yarn portions may be straight or non-straight and applied by braiding or the like, and the matrix material may be decomposed to a char adequate to anchor the yarn portions and subjected to one or more densification cycles whereby the matrix material may be carbonized.

Abstract: A rocket nozzle having an axial double bell shape. The nozzle includes a first bell shape, a second bell shape and an inflection point where the first bell shape and the second bell shape meet. The inflection point is located between a location at the area ratio &egr;=10 and a location at 0.85×&egr;max of the nozzle, where &egr; is the narrowest cross-sectional area of the nozzle. The first bell shape and the second bell shape both have a contour line having an outwardly directed curvature of between 2 and 7 at the inflection point.

Abstract: A stream of primary gas flowing through a bi-stable thrust vectoring nozzle becomes attached to a first or second surface extending downstream of the nozzle, each surface incorporating one or more control ports for controlling to which surface the stream is attached, wherein relative to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, the angle of discharge from the first surface is substantially different from the angle of discharge from the second surface, preferably with the first surface substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle. In one embodiment, a plurality of nozzles are arranged with the respective first surfaces substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle combination and each of the respective second surfaces arranged to laterally deflect a respective portion of the stream of primary gas in a respective direction along each of two orthogonal lateral axes.

Abstract: A rocket engine nozzle with an outlet portion having a curved profile in axial section. In order to control the flow separation occurring within the nozzle outlet, the radius of the outlet portion, in axial section, varies circumferentially in length.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly including a nozzle structure and liner is disclosed. The nozzle structure is made of at least one carbon-based material and includes a nose tip region, a restricted cross-sectional throat region, and an exit cone region that collectively provide an interior surface configured to define a converging-diverging pathway. The liner includes leg and body portions. The leg portion protrudes over an edge or into a groove of the nozzle structure to engage the liner to the nozzle structure. The body portion of the liner covers at least the throat region of the nozzle structure along the flow path to obstruct high temperature combustion products from causing recession of the nozzle structure. The erosion-resistant liner has at least one irregularity that extends, in a continuous manner, radially at least along the leg portion and, optionally, longitudinally along the body portion.

Abstract: The deployable diverging part comprises a first portion (20) having an upstream end connected to the end wall (14) of the thruster, a ring-shaped second portion (22) that is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position in which it connects to the downstream end of the first portion (20) to extend it, and a deployment mechanism comprising a plurality of hinged arms (30). Means (50, 52) are provided in distributed manner at the periphery of the downstream end of the first portion and at the periphery of the upstream end of the ring to enable the ring (22) to be locked onto the downstream end of the first portion (20) when the ring is in its deployed position, and the deployment mechanism comprises at least four arms (30) co-operating with the ring (22) to form a hyperstatic assembly so that the ring can be displaced without significant deformation so as to be brought into the desired position to lock automatically and completely on the first portion (20) when it is deployed.