Abstract: A fuel grain for a rocket, the fuel grain having a plurality of layers of fuel grain material, each layer comprising a plurality of concentric circular structures of different diameter fused together to form a central opening therein, wherein the fuel grain material comprises an ignitable substance. The plurality of layers are stacked and joined securely to form a cylindrical fuel grain with the central opening of each one of the plurality of layers aligned to form a combustion unit extending axially through the fuel grain and bounded by a combustion surface, and wherein the fuel grain is configured to permit mixing of heterogenous materials to enhance thrust performance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 20, 2021
Date of Patent:
October 15, 2024
Assignee:
X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.
Inventors:
Jason Hundley, Mark Kaufman, Michael McPherson, Jillian Marsh, Matthew Hinton, Dane Fradenburg
Abstract: A method of making a fuel grain for use in a rocket motor, the method comprising blending a first energetic nanoscale metallic compound and a second compound suitable to form a feedstock material for use in an additive manufacturing apparatus, the additive manufacturing apparatus operatively connected to a computing system, that provides additive manufacturing printing instructions to the additive manufacturing apparatus, permitting construction of an autonomously designed and optimized rocket fuel grain section; wherein the stochastic deposition simulation-assisted fuel grain geometries further comprise a plurality of agglutinated layers of solidified fuel grain compound, each layer of the plurality of layers comprising a plurality of blended and radially displaced beads of different radii, said radial displacement optionally optimized via competitive simulation programs, and wherein the system continuously mixes constituent materials in an inline/static mixer, with viscosity controlled via particle size var
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 19, 2024
Date of Patent:
October 1, 2024
Assignee:
X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.
Inventors:
Chelsey Hargather, Mark Kaufman, Michael McPherson, Jillian Marsh, Matthew Hinton, Dane Fradenburg, Maureen Gannon, Jason Hundley, Michael Hargather
Abstract: A method of making a fuel grain for use in a rocket motor, the method comprising blending a first energetic nanoscale metallic compound and a second compound suitable to form a feedstock material for use in an additive manufacturing apparatus, the additive manufacturing apparatus operatively connected to a computing system, that provides additive manufacturing printing instructions to the additive manufacturing apparatus, permitting construction of an autonomously designed and optimized rocket fuel grain section; wherein the stochastic deposition simulation-assisted fuel grain geometries further comprise a plurality of agglutinated layers of solidified fuel grain compound, each layer of the plurality of layers comprising a plurality of blended and radially displaced beads of different radii, said radial displacement optionally optimized via competitive simulation programs, and wherein the system continuously mixes constituent materials in an inline/static mixer, with viscosity controlled via particle size var
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 20, 2021
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2024
Assignee:
X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.
Inventors:
Chelsey Hargather, Mark Kaufman, Michael McPherson, Jillian Marsh, Matthew Hinton, Dane Fradenburg, Maureen Gannon, Jason Hundley, Michael Hargather
Abstract: A method of making a multi-grained fuel grain for a rocket is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of using at least one nozzle to extrude a first propellant in an additive manufacturing process, the first propellant comprising a multi-grained fuel grain, the multi-grained fuel grain forming the at least one void, the at least one void facilitating variation in internal ballistics, forming sensors, said sensors permitting continuous monitoring and continuous modification such that a user controls the ballistics profile of a rocket motor, forming an electrically-controlled second propellant in contact with and operatively coupled to the sensors; and wherein the additive manufacturing process uses at least at least one nozzle to extrude raw materials.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 20, 2021
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2023
Assignee:
X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.
Inventors:
Jason Hundley, Mark Kaufman, Michael McPherson