Including Injector Means Patents (Class 60/258)
  • Patent number: 7703274
    Abstract: To provide a simple structured and low cost pintle injector capable of uniformly atomizing and mixing fuel and oxidizer, and further improving the combustion efficiency of the combustion reaction in the combustion chamber. A pintle injector part having a first propellant channel forms a first injector flow path as a regenerative cooling path along the pintle external wall that projects into a combustion chamber, and high temperature fuel gas is injected from the first pintle injector port. On the other hand, an axial injector part is located upstream of the first pintle injector port, and injects comparatively low temperature liquid or gas fuel from an axial injector port via a third propellant channel and a third injector flow path. Oxidizer is injected from a second pintle injector port via a second propellant channel and a second injector flow path, and is atomized and mixed while being impinged on either by the high temperature fuel gas and the comparatively low temperature liquid or gas fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventors: Keiichi Hasegawa, Shinichi Moriya
  • Patent number: 7690192
    Abstract: A rocket engine includes a combustor assembly for carrying out a combustion process of fuel and oxidizer rocket propellants to produce thrust. A swirl generator is positioned within the combustor assembly to produce a turbulent flowfield of the fuel and oxidizer rocket propellants within the combustor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Pederson, Stephen N. Schmotolocha
  • Patent number: 7685807
    Abstract: A rocket engine system includes a combustion chamber defining a centerline axis, an oxidizer supply, a first fuel delivery circuit connected to a fuel supply, a second fuel delivery circuit connected to the fuel supply, and an injector assembly positioned at the combustion chamber. The injector assembly includes a faceplate having a plurality of openings therethrough, a first injector element connected to the first fuel delivery circuit and extending into one of the openings in the faceplate, and a second injector element connected to the second fuel delivery circuit and extending into another of the openings in the faceplate. Annular oxidizer outlets are formed at the openings in the faceplate and connected to the oxidizer supply to deliver oxidizer to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William B. Watkins, Robert B. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20100064661
    Abstract: An injector head of a liquid rocket engine in which a mixture of oxidizer and fuel is supplied to a combustion chamber, including an injection plate having through-holes, a partition plate mounted above the injection plate so as to define a space between itself and the injection plate, a fuel injector which injects the fuel supplied from a fuel manifold into the combustion chamber, with an upper portion thereof engaged with a lower surface of the partition plate and a lower portion thereof inserted into the through-holes of the injection plate, and an oxidizer injector engaged with an upper surface of the partition plate so as to inject the oxidizer supplied from an oxidizer manifold, wherein the partition plate is provided with an oxidizer supply hole through which the oxidizer injected from the oxidizer injector is delivered towards the fuel injected from the fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Seong Hyeon Seo, Hwan Seok Choi
  • Publication number: 20100043392
    Abstract: There is provided a mixture ratio stabilizer for a liquid propellant rocket engine which comprises: a body internally having a chamber and a fuel supply hole communicating with an end of the chamber to receive fuel from a fuel supply pump, an oxidizer inlet, and a fuel outlet; a spool guide in the chamber and including a plurality of first orifices for the fuel outlet and the fuel supply hole to communicate with each other; a bellows in the chamber and having one end adjacent to the spool guide and the other end positioned adjacent to the oxidizer inlet, to expand and contract in accordance with the pressure of an oxidizer which flows into the oxidizer inlet; and a spool having a part placed in the spool guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: KOREA AEROSPACE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Tae Kyu Jung
  • Publication number: 20100037590
    Abstract: A fuel manifold for a thrust chamber assembly includes a main fuel chamber which is generally frustro-conical in shape. The main fuel chamber provides a resonance frequency that is at least an order of magnitude lower than an acoustic resonance frequency of a combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: William S. Brown, Thomas M. Walczuk, Rodney Noble, Frederick Dodd
  • Publication number: 20100005779
    Abstract: The device for injecting a liquid mono-propellant with a large amount of modulation of its flow rate and disposed at an upstream end of the wall of a combustion chamber of a rocket engine has a feed channel for feeding a mono-propellant from a tank. The device includes a single annular speed-up channel connected to the feed channel and having its outlet opening out via an annular injection section, the speed-up channel and the annular injection section being defined firstly by a first wall forming a stationary surface of revolution situated level with said upstream end, and secondly by a second wall forming a surface of revolution that is on a part that is movable in translation relative to the first wall forming a stationary surface of revolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventor: Hervé Goislot
  • Patent number: 7640726
    Abstract: There is provided an injector assembly having two or more oxidizer manifolds and/or two or more fuel manifolds for delivery of liquid propellants to a combustion chamber such that combustion instability is reduced or eliminated during throttling. Delivery of the oxidizer to the oxidizer manifolds is controlled by an oxidizer valve, which may comprise an integral valve. The oxidizer passes from the oxidizer manifolds into the oxidizer element and then into the combustion chamber. The multiple oxidizer manifolds allow the oxidizer to be provided through selective openings of the oxidizer element thus reducing the change in pressure drop across the oxidizer element to thereby reduce or eliminate combustion instability and other problems. Additionally, the injector assembly may also include a lift-off seal or a filler fluid source to fill any temporarily unused oxidizer manifolds with an oxidizer or filler fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fang, Steven C. Fisher, Robert J. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20090320447
    Abstract: A bi-propellant injector includes first and second injector elements and a spark exciter assembly. The first injector element has a conductive layer electrically connected to the spark exciter assembly and a nonconductive layer disposed on an exterior portion of the conductive layer. The second injector element comprises a conductive material and has an opening therethrough in fluid communication with a combustion chamber. An end of the first injector element is positioned at or near the opening in the second injector element. The spark exciter assembly can generate an electrical arc between the conductive layer of the first injector element and the second injector element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Steven C. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7631487
    Abstract: The present invention is a constant volume rocket motor that uses a non-detonating constant-volume, bipropellant combustion process in pulse-mode operation. Opening and closing of the combustion chamber exhaust outlet is controlled by an actuated reciprocating thrust valve (RTV). Fuel enters the combustion chamber at low pressure with the RTV closed. The valve opens after or during combustion when combustion chamber pressure is at or near maximum. The motor has applications in reaction control systems and attitude control systems in spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: CFD Research Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto DiSalvo, Mark Ostrander, Adam Elliott
  • Publication number: 20090241511
    Abstract: A heat exchange injector assembly includes a heat exchange element comprising a fuel sleeve, a liquid oxidizer post disposed in the fuel sleeve, and a multi-passage swirl member such as a double helix member, disposed in the liquid oxidizer post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Brown, Richard M. Frey
  • Publication number: 20090211228
    Abstract: A gas generation system includes a fuel source, an oxidizer source, and a combustion chamber. The fuel source is operable to supply a flow of a lithium fuel, and the oxidizer source is operable to supply a flow of a fluorinated carbon oxidizer. The combustion chamber is coupled to receive the flow of lithium fuel and the flow of the fluorinated carbon oxidizer and, upon receipt thereof, supplies a combustion gas. The combustion chamber is formed, at least partially, of a carbon material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Donald L. Mittendorf
  • Publication number: 20090211227
    Abstract: A new rocket motor assembly configuration is disclosed. Amine based oxidizer is decomposed in the presence of a metallic catalyst to generate an oxygen rich hot gas stream. The hot gas stream is used to trigger a Magnesium based solid fuel in the combustion chamber. The thrust of the rocket motor may be regulated at multiple points. This design thus offers an IM compliant, thrust-adjustable rocket motor that is of a low hazard classification without compromising its performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Richard D. Loehr
  • Patent number: 7503511
    Abstract: A bi-propellant rocket engine may include a primary propellant flowing in a central passageway, a secondary propellant flowing in a secondary passageway generally coaxial with central passageway and a pintle tip having a central chamber sidewall coaxial with the primary passageway and surrounding a central chamber, the central chamber sidewall having a first plurality of apertures there through so that some of the primary propellant exits the central chamber transverse to the flow of the secondary propellant in the secondary passageway. The pintle tip may have a secondary chamber sidewall, substantially thicker than the primary chamber sidewall, surrounding a secondary chamber downstream of and in fluid communication with the primary chamber, the secondary chamber sidewall having a second plurality of apertures there through so that some of the primary propellant exits the secondary chamber transverse to the flow of the secondary propellant in the secondary passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Space Exploration Technologies
    Inventor: Thomas J. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20090007543
    Abstract: A bi-propellant rocket engine may include a primary propellant flowing in a central passageway, a secondary propellant flowing in a secondary passageway generally coaxial with central passageway and a pintle tip having a central chamber sidewall coaxial with the primary passageway and surrounding a central chamber, the central chamber sidewall having a first plurality of apertures there through so that some of the primary propellant exits the central chamber transverse to the flow of the secondary propellant in the secondary passageway. The pintle tip may have a secondary chamber sidewall, substantially thicker than the primary chamber sidewall, surrounding a secondary chamber downstream of and in fluid communication with the primary chamber, the secondary chamber sidewall having a second plurality of apertures there through so that some of the primary propellant exits the secondary chamber transverse to the flow of the secondary propellant in the secondary passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas J. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20080256925
    Abstract: A compact rocket engine with advanced swirl combustion can generate vacuum thrust in the 500 lbf to 100,000 lbf range. The rocket engine includes a feed system, combustor assembly, swirl generator and nozzle. The feed system delivers the oxidizer and fuel to the combustor assembly in the proper phase suitable for use with the swirl generator, which is positioned within the combustor assembly. This causes a highly turbulent three-dimensional swirling flowfield produced for rapid and efficient mixing and burning of the fuel/oxidizer combustion products, which are expanded through the nozzle to produce thrust. The aerothermochemical processes are extremely efficient, and consequently produce nearly ideal thrust levels. Swirl enhanced combustion significantly reduces combustor length, weight, complexity and cost, yet provides high propulsion efficiencies and wide rocket engine throttling operability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Pederson, Stephen N. Schmotolocha
  • Patent number: 7389636
    Abstract: A process and a system for delivering a propellant combination to a rocket engine is described. The process comprises the steps of providing a flow of a hydrocarbon propellant fuel, raising the pressure of the hydrocarbon propellant fuel, cracking the hydrocarbon propellant fuel in a cracker, introducing the cracked hydrocarbon propellant fuel into a combustion chamber of the rocket engine and introducing an oxidizer into the combustion chamber. A system for performing the process is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Fowler, Claude R. Joyner
  • Publication number: 20080053063
    Abstract: A rocket engine system includes a combustion chamber defining a centerline axis, an oxidizer supply, a first fuel delivery circuit connected to a fuel supply, a second fuel delivery circuit connected to the fuel supply, and an injector assembly positioned at the combustion chamber. The injector assembly includes a faceplate having a plurality of openings therethrough, a first injector element connected to the first fuel delivery circuit and extending into one of the openings in the faceplate, and a second injector element connected to the second fuel delivery circuit and extending into another of the openings in the faceplate. Annular oxidizer outlets are formed at the openings in the faceplate and connected to the oxidizer supply to deliver oxidizer to the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William B. Watkins, Robert B. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20080056961
    Abstract: A triple helical flow vortex reactor has a reaction chamber (100) with the means to create three fluid flow vortexes and an optional double end orbiting plasma arc to sustain combustion. The first vortex is of fuel and combusted gases such that said fuel and combusted gases spiral away from a fuel inlet end (150) towards an exhaust nozzle or gas outlet end (110) of the reaction chamber (100). The second vortex is one starting at the gas outlet end (110) and confined to a thin layer at the inner wall surface (130) of the reaction chamber (100). The second vortex spirals in a direction reverse to the flow of the first vortex towards the fuel inlet end (150) of the reaction chamber (100). The third vortex is starting at the fuel inlet end and also confined to a thin layer at the inner wall surface (130) of the reaction chamber (100) in a direction with the flow of the first vortex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Igor Matveev
  • Patent number: 7293402
    Abstract: An injection head for a liquid-propelled rocket engine has a plurality of first and second injection bores for injecting jets of first and second propellant constituents, respectively, into the combustion chamber of a rocket engine, with mutual mixing of propellant constituents. The first injection bores are provided for injecting jets of the first propellant constituent with a high impulse, and the second injection bores are provided for injecting propellant jets of the second propellant constituent with a low impulse. In addition, the first and second injection bores are mutually arranged such that an admixing of the second propellant constituent to the first propellant constituent takes place under an ejector effect of the propellant jets of the first propellant constituent leaving the first injection bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: EADS Space Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Mueller, Christoph Tscherwitschke
  • Patent number: 7287725
    Abstract: A missile includes a control system having divert and attitude control system thrusters with control valves. Each of the control valves has a nozzle plate having a plurality of small nozzles therein. The nozzle plate includes a pair of portions, one of which is rotatable relative to the other. Control of flow through the nozzle plate may be effected by relative positioning of the portions of the nozzle plate. An upstream convergent portion of the nozzle plate may be fixed relative to the missile, with a downstream throat and/or divergent portion of the nozzle plate moveable. Movement of the movable portion of the nozzle plate may be accomplished by use of an actuator that is external to the missile body. The control valve provides a simple, lightweight and compact way of controlling flow from a divert thruster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Daniel B. Chasman, Michael Leal, Stephen D. Haight
  • Patent number: 7257939
    Abstract: Sliding-Action Magneto-Mechanical Injector Throttling Device (SLAMMIT) provides on-demand, yet accurate, throttling of the mass flow of the fuel and/or oxidizer into the combustion chamber of a vortex injector. At least two SLAMMIT sub-assemblies comprise the SLAMMIT Device and each sub-assembly is integrated into a manifold and is driven to slide in a given direction by a drive block that is internal to the sub-assembly. The drive block is, in turn, actuated by an electromagnet that is external to the SLAMMIT sub-assembly. As the SLAMMIT sub-assemblies slide, flappers inside the sub-assemblies achieve the effective opening size of the injection orifices anywhere between fully open and fully closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert S. Michaels, Jerrold H. Arszman
  • Patent number: 7137244
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactor for the decomposition of ammonium dinitramide-based liquid monopropellants into hot, combustible gases for combustion in a combustion chamber, and more particularly a rocket engine or thruster comprising such reactor and a combustion chamber. The invention also relates to a process for the decompostion of ammonium dinitramide-based liquid monopropellants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Svenska Rymdaktiebolaget
    Inventors: Tor-Arne Gronland, Bjorn Westerberg, Goran Bergman, Kjell Anflo, Jesper Brandt, Ola Lyckfeldt, Johan Agrell, Anders Ersson, Sven Jaras, Magali Boutonnet, Niklas Wingborg
  • Patent number: 7124574
    Abstract: A system to provide a two piece robust fluid injector. According to various embodiments, the fluid injector is a fuel injector for a combustion engine. The injector includes two coaxially formed annuluses. One annulus is formed in a face plate and the second annulus or hole is defined by a tube extending through the face plate. The tube extends through the face plate in a portion of a through bore which also is used to define the second annulus. The second annulus is formed using a throughbore through which the tube extends. This allows the second annulus to always be formed inherently and precisely substantially coaxial with the first annulus. Moreover, the second annulus can be formed with a much greater tolerance than if other independent components needed to be added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Horn, Shinjiro Miyata, Shahram Farhangi
  • Patent number: 6964154
    Abstract: A rocket engine assembly is provided for a vertically launched rocket vehicle. A rocket engine housing of the assembly includes two or more combustion chambers each including an outlet end defining a sonic throat area. A propellant supply for the combustion chambers includes a throttling injector, associated with each of the combustion chambers and located opposite to sonic throat area, which injects the propellant into the associated combustion chamber. A modulator, which may form part of the injector, and which is controlled by a controller, modulates the flow rate of the propellant to the combustion chambers so that the chambers provide a vectorable net thrust. An expansion nozzle or body located downstream of the throat area provides expansion of the combustion gases produced by the combustion chambers so as to increase the net thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Robert L. Sackheim, John J. Hutt, William E. Anderson, Gordon A. Dressler
  • Patent number: 6915627
    Abstract: The invention concerns a rocket engine wherein the combustion chamber includes at least one first monolithic component made of a thermostructural composite material comprising a porous wall through which the fuel is introduced in the core of the combustion chamber. A small part of the fuel is directed towards the neck for it to be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignees: Eads Space Transportation SA, MBDA France
    Inventor: Max Calabro
  • Patent number: 6895743
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transpiration cooled rocket motor which operates at low combustion pressures, inherently provides stabilized combustion, and operates over a desired range of L-star. In a preferred embodiment the inventive transpiration cooled rocket motor includes: a housing; a porous injector sleeve; a propellant injector; and a nozzle. Preferably the injector sleeve lines the inside walls of the housing such that the inside volume of the sleeve forms the chamber for the motor. Liquid fuel passes inwardly through the pores of the injector sleeve and is injected from the sleeve into the chamber, thus cooling the walls of the rocket motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventors: Terry McElheran, William Colburn
  • Patent number: 6865878
    Abstract: A hybrid rocket engine and a method for propelling a rocket utilizing a vortex flow field. The flow field includes an outer fluid vortex spiraling toward a closed end of the flow field generating apparatus and an inner fluid vortex substantially concentric with the outer vortex spiraling away from the closed end and toward an outlet opening in which the inner vortex spirals in the same direction as the outer vortex, but in the opposite axial direction. The invention also relates to a rocket propulsion system utilizing the flow field in which the propulsion system includes a combustion chamber with a fuel source and an oxidizer source that deliver the said fuel and said oxidizer to the said outer and inner vortexes in a manner to support a combustion process while flowing along the flow field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Orbital Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Knuth, Martin J. Chiaverini, Daniel J. Gramer
  • Patent number: 6860099
    Abstract: An injector for use with the rocket thruster has a plurality of fuel ports separated from a plurality of oxidizer ports. The oxidizer and fuel ports are paired together directing their respective fluids along a path with radial and tangential components so that the two fluids impinge at a predetermined spaced apart distance from the chamber wall of the combustion chamber at an impingement track. By providing the fuel at a steeper angle relative to the chamber walls than the oxidizer, the fuel can be utilized to provide a fuel rich zone near the chamber walls to assist in cooling the chamber walls during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: George D. Xenofos, W. Neill Myers, Huu Trinh, R. Scott Michaels
  • Publication number: 20040231318
    Abstract: A bi-propellant injector (66) includes a first injector element (68) and a second injector element (70) injecting a first propellant (69) and a second propellant (71), respectively, into a combustion chamber (53). A flame-holding zone igniter (74) is adjacent to and ignites recirculation of at least a portion of the first propellant (69) and at least a portion of the second propellant (71) within a flame-holding zone (76).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Steven C. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20040107692
    Abstract: A system to provide a two piece robust fluid injector. According to various embodiments, the fluid injector is a fuel injector for a combustion engine. The injector includes two coaxially formed annuluses. One annulus is formed in a face plate and the second annulus or hole is defined by a tube extending through the face plate. The tube extends through the face plate in a portion of a through bore which also is used to define the second annulus. The second annulus is formed using a throughbore through which the tube extends. This allows the second annulus to always be formed inherently and precisely substantially coaxial with the first annulus. Moreover, the second annulus can be formed with a much greater tolerance than if other independent components needed to be added.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Mark D. Horn, Shinjiro Miyata, Shahram Farhangi
  • Patent number: 6705076
    Abstract: Thrust chamber housing for a driving mechanism for space travel applications which is fastened to an injection head with its first end and which includes a combustion chamber housing of a highly heat-resistant steel, a nozzle element of a platinum-iridium alloy, and an expansion nozzle housing of a highly heat-resistant steel, whereby the combustion chamber housing is welded through a first intermediate ring with the nozzle element and the nozzle element is welded through a second intermediate ring with the expansion nozzle housing by means of welded connections, whereby the first and the second intermediate ring are made of a platinum-rhodium alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Sowa
  • Patent number: 6691504
    Abstract: A gaseous-fuel rocket engine in which an expanding oxidizer driven turbine or electric motor drives the an axial gaseous-fuel turbine compressor. The oxidizer is subsequently injected into a gaseous-fuel duct surrounding the axial gaseous-fuel compressor and defining a gaseous-fuel path having an inlet. The gaseous-fuel and oxygen mixture is ignited and the burned gases are expanded through a converging-diverging exhaust nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Anthony Italo Provitola
  • Patent number: 6601380
    Abstract: A hybrid rocket engine and a method for propelling a rocket utilizing a vortex flow field. The flow field includes an outer fluid vortex spiraling toward a closed end of the flow field generating apparatus and an inner fluid vortex substantially concentric with the outer vortex spiraling away from the closed end and toward an outlet opening in which the inner vortex spirals in the same direction as the outer vortex, but in the opposite axial direction. The invention also relates to a rocket propulsion system utilizing the flow field in which the propulsion system includes a combustion chamber with a fuel source and an oxidizer source that deliver the said fuel and said oxidizer to the said outer and inner vortexes in a manner to support a combustion process while flowing along the flow field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Orbital Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Knuth, Martin J. Chiaverini, Daniel J. Gramer
  • Patent number: 6598385
    Abstract: A multi-stage pilot valve is disclosed for selectively supplying a working fluid to and venting from a reaction jet main stage actuation chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pilot valve comprises a solenoid actuated ball and socket flapper valve having a pressure inlet, an exhaust outlet and a service port. The first stage service port is in fluid communication with a second stage actuation chamber. A piston disposed in the second stage actuation chamber operatively engages a ball member of a ball-and-seat type valve comprising the second stage valve. The second stage valve also comprises a pressure inlet, an exhaust outlet and a service port. The piston and ball are sized relative to each other such that when the second stage actuation chamber is pressurized by the first stage, the force is sufficient to seat the ball against the second stage pressure inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Abel, Donald J. Christensen
  • Publication number: 20030136111
    Abstract: A hybrid rocket motor includes a storage tank which stores an oxidizer under relatively low pressure, a turbopump preferably directly coupled to an outlet of the storage tank which pressurizes the oxidizer to a relatively high pressure, a combustion chamber including a solid fuel, and an injector between the turbopump and combustion chamber through which the oxidizer is injected into the combustion chamber. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the turbopump is operated by an expander cycle of a heat exchanger. According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger is oxidizer tapped from the storage tank. A barrier is maintained between an oxidizer feed line from the turbopump and the injector until sufficient pressure is created by the turbopump to pump the oxidizer at the requisite pressure into the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: HY PAT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Korey R. Kline, Kevin W. Smith, Eric E. Schmidt, Thomas O. Bales
  • Publication number: 20030136110
    Abstract: A flame holder is provided at a head end of a combustion chamber of a hybrid rocket motor. The flame holder includes a high-temperature casing defining a cavity, and a solid propellant within cavity around or near the injector. The propellant may be provided in an annulus within the casing, such that the flame plume from the burning propellant is substantially parallel to the flow of the oxidizer, or may be generally cylindrical within a cylindrical casing such that the flame plume of the burning propellant is substantially perpendicular to the oxidizer flow. The solid propellant is preferably ignited substantially simultaneously with the ignition of the hybrid motor. The burning of the solid propellant prevents the flame from combustion of the fluid oxidizer and solid fuel in the hybrid motor from drifting and thereby stabilizes the flame front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: HY PAT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Korey R. Kline, Kevin W. Smith, Anthony Joseph Cesaroni
  • Patent number: 6591603
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rocket engine (10) that is self-compensating on nozzle thrust coefficient for varying ambient backpressures. The rocket engine (10) includes a combustion chamber (12) having an injector end (14) and a nozzle end (16). A propellant injector (20) is in fluid communication between a propellant line and an inside periphery of the combustion chamber injector end (14). A nozzle throat (18) is formed at the nozzle end (14) of the combustion chamber (12). A nozzle exit cone (22) extends outwardly from the nozzle throat (18). A plug support (30) is coupled between a nozzle plug (28) and the propellant injector (20). The nozzle plug (28) aerodynamically self-compensates for changes in ambient backpressure at the nozzle exit cone (22) such that the nozzle thrust coefficient is maximized for any ambient backpressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon A. Dressler, Thomas J. Mueller, Scott J. Rotenberger
  • Patent number: 6588199
    Abstract: An improved rocket engine combustion chamber including a first chamber having a first diameter and located intermediate to a propellant injector and a second chamber having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The combustion chamber extends radially outward from the first diameter to the second diameter suddenly at the intersection between the first and second chambers. Film cooling is provided by providing a stratified layer of low temperature fluid adjacent to the inner wall of the first chamber and surrounding a primary inner core of high temperature gases. The sudden stepped expansion at the interface between the first and second chambers provides secondary recirculation mixing of the propellants and facilitates complete combustion. In an additional aspect, the inner surface of the first chamber may be made of a material that has a high degree of thermal conductivity to minimize temperature gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Aerojet-General Corporation
    Inventors: Rupert C. Stechman, Jr., Peter E. Woll, Joel M. Neiderman, Jeffrey J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6568171
    Abstract: Augmentation of the thrust achieved by a supersonic nozzle of continuous curvature is achieved by causing secondary combustion to occur in an annular region of the interior of the divergent section of the nozzle. The secondary combustion forms a secondary combustion gas that complements the primary combustion gas passing through the nozzle and maintains a wall pressure that is equal to or greater than ambient pressure at low altitudes, eliminating the negative component of the thrust in an overexpanded nozzle at takeoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Aerojet-General Corporation
    Inventor: Melvin J. Bulman
  • Patent number: 6536208
    Abstract: Device for supplying fuel for a rocket propulsion unit has a first and at least a second fuel circuit for respective different fuels. Each fuel is brought to an increased energy level by a pump and is supplied for combustion by way of injection elements. The first fuel is heated in cooling channels extending in a propulsion chamber wall before the fuel is supplied for combustion, and the first fuel is subsequently fed to at least the turbines assigned to the pumps. A heat exchanger is provided in which the fuel coming from the turbines is in a heat exchange with a fuel coming from a pump. A heat exchanger especially usable in the device for supplying fuel is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Kretschmer
  • Publication number: 20030046923
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rocket engine (10) that is self-compensating on nozzle thrust coefficient for varying ambient backpressures. The rocket engine (10) includes a combustion chamber (12) having an injector end (14) and a nozzle end (16). A propellant injector (20) is in fluid communication between a propellant line and an inside periphery of the combustion chamber injector end (14). A nozzle throat (18) is formed at the nozzle end (14) of the combustion chamber (12). A nozzle exit cone (22) extends outwardly from the nozzle throat (18). A plug support (30) is coupled between a nozzle plug (28) and the propellant injector (20). The nozzle plug (28) aerodynamically self-compensates for changes in ambient backpressure at the nozzle exit cone (22) such that the nozzle thrust coefficient is maximized for any ambient backpressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Gordon A. Dressler, Thomas J. Mueller, Scott J. Rotenberger
  • Patent number: 6519928
    Abstract: A process for the production of a transverse thrust in a flying object in which a defined quantity of a monergol propellent substance is introduced into a propulsion unit, which is arranged transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the flying object to produce a thrust transverse to the longitudinal axis of the flying object. The propulsion unit has a combustion chamber, a supersonic nozzle connected to the combustion chamber and a source of heat to combust the propellant substance and produce the desired thrust for a prescribed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Strium GmbH
    Inventors: German Munding, Wolfgang Müller, Joachim Reinecke, Peter Gleich
  • Patent number: 6502385
    Abstract: An injection element for a combustion component running on two propellants, includes a first, central injection channel, which is connectable to a first propellant supply for a first propellant, and a second injection channel, which annularly surrounds the first injection channel. The second injection channel is connectable to a second propellant supply for a second propellant. The injection element includes a third injection channel, which annularly surrounds the second injection channel and which is in fluid communication with the first injection channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Dietrich Haeseler, Thomas Ruff
  • Patent number: 6397580
    Abstract: An improved rocket engine combustion chamber design wherein a first or precombustion chamber having a first diameter is located intermediate to a propellant injector and a second or main combustion chamber having a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter. The combustion chamber extends radially outwardly from the first diameter to the second diameter suddenly at the intersection between the precombustion chamber and the main combustion chamber. Film cooling is provided by providing a stratified layer of low temperature fluid adjacent to the inner wall of the precombustion chamber and surrounding a primary inner core of high temperature gases. The sudden stepped expansion at the interface between the precombustion chamber and the main combustion chamber provides secondary recirculation mixing of the propellants and will complete combustion between the main hot gas core and the propellant film cooling layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Bi-Propellant Rocket Research Corporation
    Inventors: Rupert C. Stechman, Jr., Peter E. Woll, Joel M. Neiderman, Jeffrey J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6381949
    Abstract: A rocket engine has a combustion chamber, an injector, and an attachment between the combustion chamber and the injector. The attachment includes an annular metallic deposit joined to the chamber wall outer surface, and an annular transition ring structure. The transition ring structure has an annular step collar, and an annular adaptor ring brazed to the annular step collar. The adaptor ring is welded on one end to the injector and on the other end to the metallic deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventors: Kurt B. Kreiner, David Bronson, Carl R. Stechman, Peter W. Woll, Joel M. Neiderman
  • Patent number: 6370867
    Abstract: A throttleable rocket injector assembly is disclosed wherein the flow of oxidizer into each of the oxidizer injectors is simultaneously regulated by a mechanical assembly mounted entirely within the oxidizer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Richard James Schnoor
  • Publication number: 20020026788
    Abstract: An ignition system for combustion chambers of rocket engines has a first fuel tank for a first fuel constituent and a second fuel tank for a second fuel constituent, both of which are separated from the fuel tanks of the rocket engine. Feed pipes (3, 4) for the respective fuel constituent are arranged between the igniter and a fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Mattstedt, Christian Hensel, Maurits De Wilde, Edwin Vermeulen
  • Publication number: 20010049935
    Abstract: A process for the production of a transverse thrust in a flying object in which a defined quantity of a monergol propellent substance is introduced into a propulsion unit, which is arranged transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the flying object to produce a thrust transverse to the longitudinal axis of the flying object. The propulsion unit has a combustion chamber, a supersonic nozzle connected to the combustion chamber and a source of heat to combust the propellant substance and produce the desired thrust for a prescribed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: German Munding, Wolfgang Muller, Joachim Reinecke, Peter Gleich
  • Patent number: 6298659
    Abstract: A vortex flow field and an apparatus and a method to produce and sustain it. The flow field includes an outer fluid vortex spiraling toward a closed end of the flow field generating apparatus and an inner fluid vortex substantially concentric with the outer vortex spiraling away from the closed end and toward an outlet opening in which the inner vortex spirals in the same direction as the outer vortex, but in the opposite axial direction. The invention also relates to a rocket propulsion system utilizing the flow field in which the propulsion system includes a combustion chamber with a fuel source and an oxidizer source flowing along the flow field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Orbital Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Knuth, Martin J. Chiaverini, Daniel J. Gramer