Abstract: A solid propellant propulsion motor may comprise: a forward propellant grain extending along a longitudinal axis of a motor case between a forward end of the motor case and a first burn inhibitor layer in the motor case; the first burn inhibitor layer disposed axially adjacent to the forward propellant grain; an aft propellant grain disposed axially adjacent to the first burn inhibitor layer; a second burn inhibitor layer disposed axially adjacent to an aft end of the aft propellant grain; and an ablative material layer disposed on a radially inner surface of the aft propellant grain.

Abstract: A rotating detonation combustion system is generally provided. The rotating detonation combustion system includes an outer wall, an upstream wall, and a radial wall. The outer wall is defined circumferentially around a combustor centerline extended along a lengthwise direction. The outer wall defines a first radius portion generally upstream along the outer wall. A second radius portion is defined generally downstream along the outer wall and a transition portion is defined between the first and second radius portions. The first radius portion defines a first radius greater than a second radius at the second radius portion. The transition portion defines a generally decreasing radius from the first radius portion to the second radius portion. The upstream wall is defined circumferentially around the combustor centerline and is extended along the lengthwise direction and inward radially of the first radius portion of the outer wall. An oxidizer passage is defined within the upstream wall.

Abstract: Pressurized fluid is stored while a jet engine is running. After engine shutdown, the fluid is used to drive a pneumatic or hydraulic turning motor that rotates the engine's High Pressure (HP) rotor. The rotation encourages even heat distribution across the HP rotor and thus prevents bowing of the HP rotor.

Abstract: A flare including: a casing; and a grain assembly, at least a portion of the grain assembly being slidably disposed in the casing, the grain assembly including: a shell structure; and a grain component at least partially disposed in the shell structure, the grain component including at least one combustible material and at least one reactive material positioned relative to the combustible material and configured to ignite combustion of the at least one combustible material; wherein the shell structure includes one or more nozzles at an aft end of the shell structure for generating a thrust resulting from ignition of the at least one combustible material.

Abstract: A rocket engine having a co-axial, bidirectional flow arrangement is described herein. The rocket engine receives fuel and an oxidizer into the rocket engine in a first direction, whereby a portion of the fuel is combusted in a pre-burner. The flow direction of the partially combusted fuel/oxidizer mixture is reversed, whereby the mixture is introduced into a combustion chamber. The fuel and oxidizer are combusted in the combustion chamber. The combustion products exit a throat and an expansion plenum in a direction similar to the first direction, whereby the combustion products exit a nozzle of the rocket engine, providing thrust.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mitigating the shock front or reducing drag of a rocket or aerospace plane flying at hypersonic speeds by using a modified nose cone that incorporates a low temperature substance, such as liquid nitrogen, and where the nose cone simultaneously interacts with the ambient air to further supercool the nose cone during operation.

Abstract: An engine that operates and produces the entire required vehicle thrust below Mach 4 is useful for a Hypersonic combined cycle vehicle by saving vehicle and engine development costs. One such engine is a combined cycle engine having both a booster and a dual mode ramjet (DMRJ). The booster and the DMRJ are integrated to provide effective thrust from Mach 0 to in excess of Mach 4. As the booster accelerates the vehicle from Mach 0 to in excess of Mach 4, from Mach 0 to about Mach 2 incoming air delivered to the DMRJ is accelerated by primary ejector thrusters that may receive oxidizer from either on-board oxidizer tanks or from turbine compressor discharge air. As the TBCC further accelerates the vehicle from about Mach 0 to in excess of Mach 4 exhaust from the turbine and exhaust from the DMRJ are combined in a common nozzle disposed downstream of a combustor portion of the DMRJ functioning as an aerodynamic choke.

Abstract: A combustion gas generator has: a motor case; a first propellant loaded within the motor case to burn at a first pulse; a second propellant loaded within the motor case to burn at a second pulse subsequent to the first pulse; a front motor head fixed to a front portion of the motor case and having a combustion gas exhaust hole; and a rear motor head fixed to a rear portion of the motor case and having a combustion gas exhaust hole. A combustion gas supply control device prevents combustion gas of the first propellant at the first pulse from flowing into the combustion gas exhaust hole of the front motor head and supplies combustion gas of the second propellant at the second pulse to the combustion gas exhaust hole of the front motor head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combustor casing with an inner casing which defines a combustion chamber, an outer casing spaced apart from the inner casing for defining a passage between the inner and the outer casing, first and second effusion holes arranged in the inner casing, and dividing ribs connecting the inner and outer casings and forming at least first and second volumes for receiving part of a flow injected into the passage.

Abstract: A rotating engine produces a torque created by exhaust products routed through angled nozzles exiting the nacelle. In one instance, a hollow drive shaft includes a plurality of fuel injector nozzles through which pressurized fuel is fed into an ignition chamber and ignited. Exiting exhaust is directed to cause the nacelle to spin. This spinning motion of the nacelle is harnessed to perform electrical or mechanical work.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine control system is disclosed having a fault detection system capable of detecting a high N1 condition. N1 rotational speed is measured and, in two different locations, subtracted from a target N1 value and a requested N1 value. The resultant error values are scaled by a gain that is scheduled as a function of N2 rotational rate. Each error value is accumulated with separate integrators that have independent maximum and minimum limits. The integrators are reset based upon a number of conditions. A number of additional conditions must also be satisfied for the fault detection system to trigger a fault condition. If the additional conditions are satisfied and the integrators are accumulating values, then a fault condition is set if either or both integrators accumulate a value that reaches a selected limit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric thruster for a spacecraft. According to the invention, the thruster (II) comprises a jet generating portion (G1) and a jet accelerating portion (A2), pivotably connected (H1) such that the jet accelerating portion (A2) can rotate in relation to the jet generating portion (G1).

Abstract: Improved rocket nozzle designs for vehicles with nozzles embedded in or protruding from surfaces remote from the desired thrust axis. The nozzle configurations are for rocket vehicles where the nozzles are not located at the optimal thrust axis of the vehicle. Two examples include nozzles located on the forward end of the vehicle (also called tractor nozzles) and attitude control nozzles located on the periphery of the vehicle. More particularly, the disclosed nozzle shapes enhance the axial thrusts and/or maneuver torques on the vehicle. These unconventional nozzle shapes improve vehicle performance.

Abstract: A method, and a related material, for utilizing high performance solid rocket propellants, which are molding powders. A propellant molding powder are selected to have a design burning rate and a tailored compaction profile. A morphology of a center-port of a rocket is selected for the design burn rate and a spin-rate. The molding powder is compacted isostatically around a core through application of triaxial pressure therein forming a solid rocket propellant charge with the selected center-port shape. The solid rocket propellant charge is placed in a cartridge or a case. The cartridge is selected from various types of cartridges and specialty charges. The solid rocket propellant molding powders are highly filled with metallic fuels, and have a binder in the range of 4% to 18%, which at least partially coats the surface of the molding powder.

Abstract: Hydro-carbon nanorings may be used, e.g., in power storage power transmission and transportation. Sufficiently cooled, an externally hydrogen doped carbon nanoring may be used to create a radial dipole containment field for electrons rotating in the nanoring. Such nanorings may transmit DC current with little or no loss. Similarly, an internally hydrogen doped carbon nanoring may be used to create a radial dipole containment field for positrons rotating in the nanoring. Virtually lossless transmission of AC current may be achieved by pairing such streams of electrons and positrons in their respective containment fields. Closed rotation of such streams may also be used to efficiently store large amounts of electrical energy. Finally, by selectively accelerating and decelerating pairs of such paired electron and positron streams, which are moving at relativistic speeds, differential momentum may be created to cause physical movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides closed-circuit hydraulic thruster used for the generation of thrust, or lift, force from the torque provided by a prime mover, or a motor. In a preferred embodiment the closed-circuit hydraulic thruster comprises an outer casing; at least two inner-members; at least one intermediate body; a drive shaft; at least one rotor assembly including a central disk and a plurality of circumferentially arranged, low angle of attack, hydrofoil-like blades; and an incompressible fluid completely filling the space enclosed within the casing. In operation, the incompressible fluid will circulate within the passages confined between the opposing surfaces of the casing, inner-members, and intermediate body due to its acceleration by the rotor blades, with the blades' generated thrust force being transmitted to the thruster's casing through thrust bearing arrangement(s) Means for cooling the incompressible viscous fluid are also provided.

Abstract: A turbine for a sprinkler is disclosed for self-governing its rotational velocity. As a rate of fluid through the sprinkler increases, particularly when air is used to flush the sprinkler system, a portion of the turbine shifts outwardly so as to decrease alignment of vanes located thereon with directed water streams for controlling the rotation of the turbine.

Abstract: A propulsion system including an electromagnetic device for reaction with a medium; said propulsion system comprising: (e) a sectored front disc divided into an even number of charge carrying sectors, (f) an electronic circuit including charging transistors for controlling of said charge carrying sectors, (g) a control timer for sequencing the polarity of each charge of each of said charge carrying sectors at any given instant, (h) an arrangement of said sequencing such that at said any given instant a positively charged sector is flanked either side by a negatively charged sector, and wherein, diametrically opposed sectors of said disc are of like charge at said any given instant, such that an alternating of positive and negative charging of said sectors provides a progressive rotation of diametrically opposite positively charged sectors in a first direction and a progressive rotation of diametrically opposite negatively charged sectors in a second opposite direction.

Abstract: A linkage system includes a pivot bias assembly at each pivot which removes internal clearances and resultant vibratory wear. The pivot bias assembly includes a cavity which defines an axis transverse to the pivot axis. A spring biased piston is located therein to provide a radial load toward the rotation pivot to close radial clearances. The spring loaded piston reduces all the radial internal clearances to zero to reduce vibratory wear created by engine vibratory inputs. An assembly flat is positioned such that the component is assembled in a non-operating angular position such that the spring biased piston is under minimal or no load then the component is rotated into operating position so as to preload the spring biased piston.

Abstract: A spin-stabilized missile includes two or more spin nozzles along a perimeter of the missile, the nozzles being operatively coupled to a pressurized gas source. The pressurized gas source provides pressurized gas which passes through the nozzles and external to the missile, thereby providing circumferential thrust which causes a torque on the missile that results in the missile rolling or spinning. The pressurized gas source may be a pressure container containing solid rocket fuel. The pressurized gas source for spinning the missile may be the same as that for the missile's main propulsion system.

Abstract: The propulsion device (10) includes a housing (12) having an incoming end cap (14) and an outflowing end cap (16). A tubular bladder (20) within the housing is interconnected to each end cap, thereby varying the volume of both a chamber (22) within the bladder and a chamber (24) between the bladder and the housing during attractive or repulsive movement between end caps (14,16). Check valves control the flowthrough the end caps. The propulsion device is highly efficient and is able to move the vessel through water with little or no cavitation.

Abstract: A simplified rocket engine a rocket engine has a rotor assembly with an ultracentrifugal (over 200 meters/second tangential velocity) liquid pump arranged around a combustion chamber so as to provide both forced convective and Coriolis-effect and centripetal-acceleration enhanced free convective regenerative cooling to the combustion chamber while pressurizing the liquid propellant. Both fuel and oxidizer may be stored a cryogenic temperatures and pumped around the combustion chamber for regenerative cooling. The combustion chamber may be structured to rotate together with the pump to provide Coriolis-effect and centripetal-acceleration enhanced combustion. The rotor assembly is driven directly by a tangential component of the primary thrust vector by means of tilted nozzles or by vanes, flutes, or other reaction surfaces.

Abstract: An attitude control system and method operative with a thruster controls the attitude of a vehicle carrying the thruster, wherein the thruster has a valve enabling the formation of pulses of expelled gas from a source of compressed gas. Data of the attitude of the vehicle is gathered, wherein the vehicle is located within a force field tending to orient the vehicle in a first attitude different from a desired attitude. The attitude data is evaluated to determine a pattern of values of attitude of the vehicle in response to the gas pulses of the thruster and in response to the force field. The system and the method maintain the attitude within a predetermined band of values of attitude which includes the desired attitude. Computation circuitry establishes an optimal duration of each of the gas pulses based on the pattern of values of attitude, the optimal duration providing for a minimal number of opening and closure operations of the valve.

Abstract: A propulsion system for accelerating and directionally controlling a fluid having a continuous dynamic surface for circulating through a fluid from an entrainment region where fluid is introduced to the dynamic surface to a thrust region where fluid is discharged from the dynamic surface. The dynamic surface accelerates the fluid proximate to the surface so as to produce a layer of accelerated fluid from the entrainment region through the thrust region. A motor is operatively connected to the dynamic surface for driving the dynamic surface. A separator plate is positioned next to the dynamic surface. The separator plate has a leading edge for stripping the layer of accelerated fluid from the dynamic surface, and a substantially flat thrust face adjacent to the leading edge for directing the accelerated fluid in a desired direction.

Abstract: With the intention of achieving more stable combustion in solid-fuel ramjets, and particularly in the case of ramjets with spinning application, it is proposed that the inner surface of the ramjet fuel element (8) is provided with raised surfaces, or lands (14), preferably formed from the fuel element material. In one preferred embodiment, the lands (14) are straight and extend parallel with the longitudinal axis of the fuel element and have the same length as the fuel element. The tangenital component of the rotating gasflow generated by rotation, forces the peripheral part of the gasflow to pass over these raised surfaces (14), thereby generating standing, stabilizing vortices downstream of the raised surfaces.

Abstract: A spacecraft (201) maintains its north-south positioning by using one of two pairs of single-gimballed throttled thrusters (221-224) on a face of the spacecraft (201). The throttles (118) and gimbals (116) of the thrusters (221-224) are controlled to produce torques on the spacecraft (201) that will maintain a desired attitude for the spacecraft (201) while simultaneously desaturating the momentum stabilizing wheels ( 120, 121 ) of the spacecraft (201).

Abstract: A spinning ramjet vehicle is provided wherein the combustion process is enced. An injector intakes air and discharges it to an internal combustor. The combustor is separated from the vehicle body and allowed to rotate independently of spin imparted to the vehicle. The combustion process is enhanced as the spin rate of the combustor is less than that of the vehicle.

Abstract: A spin nozzle system for imparting a thrust to pre-spin a missile prior to aunching. This system includes locating the spin nozzles within the outside diameter of the main missile motor. Also the nozzle exhaust gases are exited into the main motor exhaust cone to thereby augment the total missile thrust.