Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Orbital Atk, Inc.

Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.

Duane J Garbe

Robert L Hatch

William P Sampson

James D Dunaway

Allan P Thompson

Edward L Collins

A flexible bearing assembly includes at least one metal end ring, a flexible bearing core having a plurality of layers of a resilient material between layers of a reinforcement material, and a phenolic composite material between and bonded to each of the at least one metal end ring and the flexible bearing core. A rocket motor assembly includes a chamber configured to contain a propellant and a movable thrust nozzle coupled to the chamber. The movable thrust nozzle includes a phenolic composite material between and bonded to each of a metal end ring and a flexible bearing core. Methods of forming a flexible bearing assembly include bonding a phenolic composite material to at least one metal end ring and bonding a flexible bearing core to the phenolic composite material. The flexible bearing core includes a plurality of layers of a resilient material between layers of a reinforcement material.

Flexible bearing assemblies, rocket motors including such assemblies, and methods of forming flexible bearings

A grommet for installation in an opening of a panel comprises an elastically deformable material having a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end of a grommet body. The grommet body comprises an aperture extending longitudinally through the grommet body between the proximal end and the distal end. A wall-engaging segment defines a longitudinal segment of the aperture and is located to be enclosed by a wall of the opening when the grommet is installed in the panel. A clamping element occludes the aperture in the wall-engaging segment and comprises at least one longitudinally extending through-hole sized and configured to receive an elongated element. The clamping element is located to apply a compressive force on the elongated element to retain the elongated element in the through-hole of the grommet body responsive to disposition of the wall-engaging segment in the opening of the panel.

Grommets and methods of installing grommets

Gas generators may be utilized for launching a projectile. Launch tubes may include gas generators. Methods of launching a projectile may include utilizing gas generators to impart an initial velocity to a projectile.

Gas generators, launch tubes including gas generators and related systems and methods

A thermal protection system and a method of manufacturing are disclosed. The thermal protection system may be configured to protect a movable joint, for example, a flexible bearing of a rocket motor nozzle. The thermal protection system includes a series of annular shims separated by a plurality of discrete spacers. Each shim of the series of annular shims may have a larger diameter than the previous shim, and the shims may nest. The shims may comprise a thermally stable material, and the discrete spacers may comprise an elastomer. Optionally, an annular bearing protector may separate the annular shims from the flexible bearing.

Growing community of inventors

Mendon, UT, United States of America

Duane J Garbe