Abstract: A projectile for firing from a launcher includes a propulsion stage having non-axisymmetric boosters arranged about a longitudinal axis of the propulsion stage. The propulsion stage may further include a central booster about which the non-axisymmetric boosters are arranged.

Abstract: A rocket is provided and includes booster stages at a rear of the nose cone, the booster stages being configured for propelling the nose cone in a propulsion direction and a divert control system housed entirely in the nose cone for controlling an orientation of the propulsion direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of a missile, an airframe and a structure comprising piezoelectric fibers and a method for active structural response control are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a housing structure includes a composite material containing a plurality of piezoelectric fibers adapted to generate an electrical signal in response to a deformation in the structure and to deform the structure to provide low frequency stiffness and strength performance while attenuating high frequency vibrations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a missile having an external system operate in conjunction with an airframe and a fluid transfer system. The airframe includes an interior surface defining a substantially enclosed internal chamber. The fluid transfer system selectively connects the internal chamber to the external system, for example to provide pressurant or coolant to the external system.

Abstract: An integral composite rocket motor nozzle. The novel nozzle includes a first layer of a first reinforcement material, a second layer of a second reinforcement material, and a common matrix material surrounding the first and second reinforcement materials such that the reinforcement materials and matrix material form a single integral composite structure. In an illustrative embodiment, the first reinforcement material includes graphite fibers for providing structural support, and the second reinforcement material includes glass or quartz fibers for providing thermal insulation on a first side of the first layer. The nozzle may also include a third layer of a third reinforcement material for providing thermal insulation on a second side of the first layer. In a preferred embodiment, the first layer is shaped to form an integrated dome and nozzle structure.

Abstract: A separable structure includes composite material that is separated or severed by a reactive pyrotechnic material. According to one embodiment, the structure includes a pair of composite laminate structural portions, each including multiple layers of composite material. The portions each extend into an overlap region, within which the composite layers of the two structural portions may be alternately placed, overlapping one another. A reactive material is also placed within this overlap region, for instance being in layers between pairs of the composite material layers. The reactive material may be ignited to cause destruction of the pyrotechnic material, and a matrix or resin material of the composite materials layers in the overlap region. This causes the structure to sever or separate along a line of separation within the overlap region. The separation may occur without need to sever fibers of the composite material.

Abstract: Embodiments of a missile, an airframe and a structure comprising piezoelectric fibers and a method for active structural response control are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a housing structure includes a composite material containing a plurality of piezoelectric fibers adapted to generate an electrical signal in response to a deformation in the structure and to deform the structure in response to an electrical signal applied thereto. A control circuit receives the sensed signal from the fibers and generates an excitation signal that is applied to the fibers to increase the stiffness or compliance of the fibers at predetermined frequencies. In an illustrative embodiment, the control signal is adapted to provide low frequency stiffness and strength performance while attenuating high frequency vibrations to protect electronics housed within the structure.

Abstract: Provided is a detachable aerodynamic missile stabilizing system for a missile flying at low flight speeds. The system includes a housing adapted to couple to couple to the missile. Extending outward from the housing is at least one grid fin. Specifically the grid fin extends from the housing such that it is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the housing and the missile. The grid fin provides a plurality of apertures. The apertures are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and the missile. A coupler is adapted to detachably couple the housing to the missile. A method of use is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a detachable aerodynamic missile stabilizing system for a missile flying at low flight speeds. The system includes a housing adapted to couple to couple to the missile. Extending outward from the housing is at least one grid fin. Specifically the grid fin extends from the housing such that it is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the housing and the missile. The grid fin provides a plurality of apertures. The apertures are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and the missile. A coupler is adapted to detachably couple the housing to the missile. A method of use is also provided.

Abstract: A vibration controlled housing. The novel housing includes a housing structure and a mechanism for receiving a control signal and in accordance therewith electronically tuning a structural response of the structure. In an illustrative embodiment, the housing structure includes a composite material containing a plurality of piezoelectric fibers adapted to generate an electrical signal in response to a deformation in the structure and to deform the structure in response to an electrical signal applied thereto. A control circuit receives the sensed signal from the fibers and generates an excitation signal that is applied to the fibers to increase the stiffness or compliance of the fibers at predetermined frequencies. In an illustrative embodiment, the control signal is adapted to provide low frequency stiffness and strength performance while attenuating high frequency vibrations to protect electronics housed within the structure.

Abstract: A missile includes a radome-seeker airframe assembly that has a single-piece composite material forebody. The forebody is made of a high-temperature composite material that can withstand heat with little or no ablation. The forebody has a front part with an ogive shape and an aft part that has a cylindrical shape. The front part acts as a radome for a seeker located within the forebody. Patch antennas are attached to an inside surface of the cylindrical aft part. The aft part acts as a radome for the patch antennas, allowing signals to be sent and received by the patch antennas without a need for cutouts. A single seal may be used to seal the guidance system and seeker within the forebody, allowing the equipment to be hermetically sealed within the forebody.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a missile having an external system operate in conjunction with an airframe and a fluid transfer system. The airframe includes an interior surface defining a substantially enclosed internal chamber. The fluid transfer system selectively connects the internal chamber to the external system, for example to provide pressurant or coolant to the external system.

Abstract: A separable structure includes composite material that is separated or severed by a reactive pyrotechnic material. According to one embodiment, the structure includes a pair of composite laminate structural portions, each including multiple layers of composite material. The portions each extend into an overlap region, within which the composite layers of the two structural portions may be alternately placed, overlapping one another. A reactive material is also placed within this overlap region, for instance being in layers between pairs of the composite material layers. The reactive material may be ignited to cause destruction of the pyrotechnic material, and a matrix or resin material of the composite materials layers in the overlap region. This causes the structure to sever or separate along a line of separation within the overlap region. The separation may occur without need to sever fibers of the composite material.

Abstract: An integral composite rocket motor nozzle. The novel nozzle includes a first layer of a first reinforcement material, a second layer of a second reinforcement material, and a common matrix material surrounding the first and second reinforcement materials such that the reinforcement materials and matrix material form a single integral composite structure. In an illustrative embodiment, the first reinforcement material includes graphite fibers for providing structural support, and the second reinforcement material includes glass or quartz fibers for providing thermal insulation on a first side of the first layer. The nozzle may also include a third layer of a third reinforcement material for providing thermal insulation on a second side of the first layer. In a preferred embodiment, the first layer is shaped to form an integrated dome and nozzle structure.

Abstract: A vibration controlled housing. The novel housing includes a housing structure and a mechanism for receiving a control signal and in accordance therewith electronically tuning a structural response of the structure. In an illustrative embodiment, the housing structure includes a composite material containing a plurality of piezoelectric fibers adapted to generate an electrical signal in response to a deformation in the structure and to deform the structure in response to an electrical signal applied thereto. A control circuit receives the sensed signal from the fibers and generates an excitation signal that is applied to the fibers to increase the stiffness or compliance of the fibers at predetermined frequencies. In an illustrative embodiment, the control signal is adapted to provide low frequency stiffness and strength performance while attenuating high frequency vibrations to protect electronics housed within the structure.

Abstract: A separable structure includes composite material that is separated or severed by a reactive pyrotechnic material. According to one embodiment, the structure includes a pair of composite laminate structural portions, each including multiple layers of composite material. The portions each extend into an overlap region, within which the composite layers of the two structural portions may be alternately placed, overlapping one another. A reactive material is also placed within this overlap region, for instance being in layers between pairs of the composite material layers. The reactive material may be ignited to cause destruction of the pyrotechnic material, and a matrix or resin material of the composite materials layers in the overlap region. This causes the structure to sever or separate along a line of separation within the overlap region. The separation may occur without need to sever fibers of the composite material.

Abstract: A missile includes a payload assembly that has a pair of nosecones. The nosecones may be optimized for different environments and/or phases of flight, for example, having different shapes, different shell materials, different types of seals, and/or different separation mechanisms. The first (outer) nosecone may have a more streamlined shape, be made of more thermally-protective material, and may meet less stringent sealing requirements, than the second (inner) nosecone. Separation of the outer nosecone from the payload assembly may cause backward movement of a center of pressure of the payload assembly, bringing the center of pressure of the assembly closer to a center of gravity of the assembly. This may make the payload assembly easier to maneuver, for example, reducing or eliminating the need for intervention by an attitude control system, to maintain the payload assembly on a desired course.

Abstract: A sulfur dioxide-containing analysis stream, such as formed by the oxidative pyrolysis of a sulfur-containing liquid, is passed through a trapping medium comprising metal or metal oxide, preferably nickel oxide, wherein the sulfur dioxide is retained while the remainder of the gas flows through. Thereafter, the flow of analysis gas is discontinued and the trap zone is heated to release the sulfur dioxide, which is passed in an inert carrier gas stream through a sulfur dioxide detector such as a conductivity cell. Halides in the analysis stream are removed prior to trapping by being dissolved in an aqueous liquid in a scrubbing chamber. Such chamber is regenerated by vaporizing the halide-containing aqueous solution and venting it. Also, a system of the foregoing type including two traps and a single detector whereby two samples are alternately analyzed and trapped to reduce the overall analysis time.

Abstract: A three phase process for determining total organic halides in water. The first phase is a sorptive process including passing a liquid through a packed bed of sorptive material thereby removing quantitatively, purgeable and non-purgeable, organic halides and thereafter passing an inorganic halide displacement wash solution through the bed to displace inorganic halides. The second and third phases are a combination combustion and titration whereby organic bromides and other organic halides entering the combustion phase are quantitatively titrated coulometrically.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for micro-coulometric determination of sulfur in hydrocarbon samples in which interference of chlorine and oxides of nitrogen is minimized. The process comprises the steps of oxidizing the sample, scrubbing the oxidized sample with a tin-containing agent and coulometrically titrating the sample thereafter.