Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the pressure and thermal impingement effects of a supersonic exhaust gas plume emanating from a rocket motor nozzle. A pair of wedge-shaped pieces comprise a disrupter positioned on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis of the rocket exhaust plume in order to disrupt and disperse the plume concentration. The positioning of these pieces is such that at least a portion of the exhaust gas plume may pass between them. The disrupter defines a flow area normal to the central axis of the exhaust flow which is less than the cross sectional area of the exhaust plume at the position of the disrupter pieces. The reduced flow area causes the exhaust flow to undergo a normal shock wave adjacent the position of the disrupter device before the exhaust gases pass between the disrupter body pieces at subsonic velocity.

Abstract: An exhaust gas management system for missile launch arrangements which incorporates multiple launch cells exhausting into a common plenum. The system provides a flow passage configuration with a transition section that permits rocket exhaust flow gas to expand to fill the channel area downstream of the nozzle exit. Automatic aft closure members are included which serve to close off the flow passages to inactive cells while providing an open passage for exhaust gases from an active cell undergoing a missile firing. This arrangement prevents back flow or recirculation of exhaust gases into the volume in the cell which is upstream of the rocket nozzle exit.

Abstract: A convoluted fan structure is provided along the bottom surface of each diagonal segment of a petal-formed aft cover for a missile canister. As the cover petals open under influence of rocket exhaust impingement on the cover, the fan structures cover the diagonal areas toward the corners of the opening. This prevents recirculation of rocket exhaust gases from the plenum into the canister through the formerly open corner areas and augment the closure force to restore the petals to the closed position after completion of missile launch.

Abstract: A structural arrangement is provided in conjunction with the upper closure of a missile cell which, upon launch of the missile, generates a rarefaction wave which assists in closing the bottom closure of the missile cell. As a result, reverse flow of exhaust gases back up into the missile chamber from an associated plenum chamber is prevented or minimized.

Abstract: An exhaust gas management system for missile launch arrangements having multiple launch cells exhausting into a common plenum includes automatic aft closure members which serve to close off the flow passages to inactive cells while providing an open passage for exhaust gases from an active cell undergoing a missile firing. This arrangement prevents back flow or recirculation of exhaust gases into the volume in the cell which is upstream of the rocket nozzle exit.

Abstract: A missile canister hatch cover is provided which deflects the rocket exhaust from an adjacent uptake channel away from a missile as it leaves the canister. After diverting the uptake exhaust flow away from the missile, the hatch cover is returned to its closed position by the missile rocket exhaust as the missile nozzle clears the canister opening. Overall wear and tear on the launching system from the rocket exhaust is reduced and the uptake flow plume is stopped from expanding above the launcher. During missile launch the hatch cover is unlatched and spring loading opens it more than 90.degree. to a locked position where it interferes with the exhaust flowing from the uptake. The interference deflects the uptake flow away from the missile during flyout to avoid the heating, side thrusts, and contamination associated with the uptake exhaust flow field.

Abstract: A rocket exhaust recirculation obturator or cover member is designed to extend across the base of a missile in a launch tube between the exit nozzle of the missile rocket exhaust and the walls of the launch tube. The cover member has a central opening which seals against the rocket motor nozzle exit, and an outer periphery which seals against the launch tube walls. During launch, pressure of exhaust gases recirculating back up the launch tube will urge the obturator against the base of the missile, and both the missile and obturator will accelerate together up the launch tube. A release assembly is provided at the upper end of the launch tube which engages corresponding release devices at the outer periphery of the obturator. The engagement releases the pressure bond between the obturator, the missile base, and the launch tube. This allows the rocket exhaust to impinge upon the upper surface of the obturator in opposition to the obturator's momemtum.

Abstract: A missile support structure comprises at least two sabots or packing bodies which surround a missile in a launch tube and extend along at least part of its length. The sabots substantially fill the gap between the outer surface of the missile and the walls of the launch tube to restrict lateral movement. A capture assembly is provided to capture the sabots at the launch tube exit as the missile leaves the tube, and a return mechanism is provided on each sabot for intercepting the missile exhaust flow to urge the sabots back down into the launch tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing the pressure and thermal impingement effects of a supersonic exhaust gas plume emanating from a rocket motor nozzle. A disrupter body positioned within the exhaust plume along the central longitudinal axis thereof disrupts and disperses the plume concentration. The body has a central passage through which a portion of the exhaust may pass. The body and passage are sized and shaped to provide a flow area normal to the exhaust flow less than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust plume at the position of the body. The reduced flow area causes the exhaust flow to undergo a normal shock wave upstream of the body before passing through and around the body at a subsonic velocity. The presence and configuration of the body disrupts and disperses the plume concentration, and the reduced flow velocity significantly reduces the downstream pressure and thermal effects of the exhaust gas plume.

Abstract: A dissipator device comprises a container having an inlet for connection to a rocket exhaust and a plurality of exhaust orifices of smaller dimensions than the inlet for exhaust flow out of the container in a plurality of different directions. A deflector member is positioned in the container in alignment with the inlet in the path of incoming exhaust gases for deflecting the flow. A disrupter member is positioned between the inlet and deflector member, and has a through bore defining an orifice of area less than the exhaust flow area at the plane of the disrupter member, so that exhaust gases flow both through and around the disrupter member, substantially reducing the downstream pressure and impingement heat transfer.

Abstract: Pivotable deflector panels are installed in the transition sections between a plurality of rocket storage and launch chambers and a lower plenum or manifold chamber which is provided to dispose of the exhaust gases from missile firings. The deflector panels are in addition to the sets of doors which are provided to close off the missile storage chambers upon the firing of a missile in another chamber in order to prevent recirculation of exhaust gases into the closed off chambers. The deflector panels act with the doors to control exhaust gas flow, thereby improving the effectiveness of the gas plug which is formed by exhaust gases within a transition section.

Abstract: An exhaust dissipator device for a rocket exhaust has an inlet for connection to the exhaust and a plurality of smaller exhaust orifices spaced around its surface to dissipate the flow into a plurality of smaller jets. A deflector surface in the direction of exhaust flow into the container acts to further dissipate the flow and deflect it out of its original path. This may comprise an internal surface of the container, or a separate deflector plate spaced from the container surface.

Abstract: A transition region for a missile launch chamber providing a smooth transition from a generally square cross-section chamber in which a missile is stored and launched to a round exit opening of the chamber which connects with an exhaust manifold or plenum. The transition section is provided with a pair of pivoted doors for closing off the bottom of the missile chamber to prevent the flow of recirculation gases from the plenum into the chamber when a missile in another chamber coupled to the same plenum system is being fired. The portion of the missile exhaust chamber between the square cross-section and the circular exit opening serves to direct the exhaust gases of a missile being fired into a smooth round exhaust plume which functions as a "gas plug", preventing the recirculation of the exhaust gases back into the chamber of the missile being fired.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing a missile's rocket exhaust gases from contacting and adversely affecting, such as by overheating, the launch rails from which a missile may be launched. Such apparatus includes an angled member having first and second leg portions, the end of the first leg portion being pivotably secured to the rail. A member having an angled surface is mounted to the second leg portion. Prior to the launching of said missile, the apparatus is in a first operative position such that it is out of contact with said launch rail. When the exhaust gases are emitted from said missile, a portion of the exhaust is incident upon the angled surface which causes the apparatus to rotatably pivot into contact with the launch rail, whereby portions of two surfaces of the launch rail are protected from the exhaust.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for preventing a missile's rocket exhaust gases from contacting and adversely affecting, such as by overheating, the launch rails from which a missile may be launched. Such apparatus includes orifices and pressure/flow controls in association with the rails in order to produce a cold gaseous stream directed in opposition to the exhaust gases during at least the initial phase. The stream creates a boundary plane or barrier between the rails and the exhaust gases, thereby shielding the rails from damage due to overheating.Arrangements are provided to control the time and duration of the stream so that it may be limited to the period of actual need.

Abstract: A missile launcher tube from which a missile is fired from a forward end causing gases to exit out the aft, or exhaust gas, end of a launcher tube in which the aft end is provided with a conical surface (flare) forming a nozzle so that as the missile exits from the forward end, a forward pressure force created by the exhaust gas acting on the conical surface as the exhaust gas exits from the aft end opposes and reduces an aft end directed recoil force. The conical nozzle is located entirely within the outer surface of the launcher tube so that the launcher tube envelope is not disturbed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing combustion of exhaust gases in rocket launch systems using a plurality of launch tubes connected to a plenum including pressure sensors in each launch tube, a control system sensitive to atmospheric pressure and launch tube pressure which provides a signal to an inert gas supply flow controller to initiate flow of gas into the plenum when pressure in a launch tube, after launch of a rocket, reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a launcher-missile system with the launcher tube provided with a configuration on its aft end so as to reduce the tip-off rates of the system. The configuration comprises the formation of an open sector in the flared end of the launcher tube so that a portion of the exhaust gases exiting from the tube, as the missile is fired, does not impinge on that sector of the flared end and thus an impulse caused by the impinging of the gases on the remainder of the flared end reduces the tip-off rate.Also disclosed is a means in which the size and location of the open sector can be selected depending upon the desired change in magnitude and direction of the tip-off rate.

Abstract: A rear cover for rocket launch tubes providing a seal between the tube and the rear of the rocket. The rocket is arranged in a manner such that the exhaust of a firing rocket will produce a seal between a sealing member and the rear of the rocket and will seal off the portion of the tube adjacent to the rocket itself, thus preventing exhaust gases from entering this portion of the launch tube.

Abstract: A rear cover for a rocket launch tube which is normally closed and which is capable of breaking away successively in one or more sections in response to the pressure and diameter of the rocket exhaust column or plume. The cover is so arranged that it will successively increase the area interconnecting the launch tube for the rocket with an exhaust duct or manifold as the rocket plume increases in diameter. The cover of an adjacent launch tube which is normally closed will prevent the exhaust gases from entering the launch tube of a stored rocket or the like.