Abstract: A vehicle interior cooling system (200) for a vehicle having a cabin (208) and an engine (207) for providing propulsion power generally includes a first cabin cooling system (202) driven by the engine of the vehicle having a first condenser (214). The vehicle interior cooling system also generally includes a second cabin cooling system (203) driven by electrical power having a cold storage device (210) and a second condenser (232), with the first condenser and the second condenser being in an airflow line (260). The second cabin cooling system selectively thermally charges the cold storage device when the engine is in an on position. The second cabin cooling system is also selectable to thermally cool the cabin when the engine is in an off position and selectable to thermally cool the cabin when the engine is in the on position.

Abstract: A tailpipe for use with a vehicle moveable in a forward direction upon a support surface and adapted to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface. The tailpipe includes a windward surface facing in the forward direction and a leeward surface facing opposite the forward direction. The tailpipe also includes a tubular body defining a main exhaust gas flow passageway adapted to direct an exhaust gas flow from a proximal end to a distal end of the tubular body and a plurality of exhaust ports. The exhaust ports are disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular body and pass through the leeward surface for permitting at least a portion of the exhaust gas flow, when present in the tubular body, to exit the tubular body through the plurality of exhaust ports.

Abstract: An explosively driven latch-and-seal device for latching and sealing the ends of two telescoping members, such as a fixed nozzle section 14 and an extendible nozzle section 16 of a rocket engine. The forward end of the extendible nozzle 16 is formed with an axially extending flange 24. The rear end of the fixed nozzle 14 is formed with a radially extending projection 18 which has a recess 20 in its outer surface adjacent to the extendible nozzle flange 24. An explosively expandable tube (EET) 30 containing a mild detonating fuse (MDF) 32 is placed in contact with the flange 24 in such position with relation to the recess 20 that, when the MDF 32 is detonated, it expands to force the flange section in contact with it into the recess 20. A seal is formed between the deformed section of the flange 24 and the wall of the recess 20.

Abstract: An improved structural material for the wall of a rocket engine nozzle extension comprising a thin sheet-metal base 12 and a rib wall 16 comprising a grid of intersecting ribs 18 which form internal cavities 20. A surface of the base 12 is plated 14 with Cu and the rib wall 16 is bonded thereto so that each cavity 20 has an open end. The interior surfaces of the ribs 18, which form the cavities 20, are also plated with Cu.

Abstract: A retractable nozzle assembly for a rocket has an extendable nozzle section which is concentric with the main nozzle and is movable telescopically from a retracted position to an extended position. A drive assembly moves the nozzle section into the extended position in which it forms an extension of the main nozzle. Cam members, movable by the same drive assembly after the nozzle is moved to its extended position, wedge detent members radially into a detent groove, providing a positive lock between the two nozzle sections.