General Dynamics Corporation

George B Nicoloff

Charles L Holland

Clark Kerr, Jr

A ramjet missile with a variable size exhaust nozzle formed by a plurality of flaps having heat resistant blocks displaced circumferentially about the nozzle which are latched within the divergent contour of the nozzle during missile climb condition and extendable radially into the exhaust nozzle exit area to reduce the size thereof for missle cruise and descent. These heat resistant blocks are jetisonable so that the nozzle exit area may be increased to its original size upon the missile return to low level flight condition. Actuators are also provided for operating the flaps for unlatching, extending and jetisoning the heat resistant blocks at the appropriate time.

Variable exit area ramjet nozzle

A ramjet powered missile having means for controlling the air inlet geometry for best efficiency at a given end-of-boost-take-over Mach number and for changing the inlet geometry for best efficiency at a higher Mach number for fuel economy and extended flight range comprising a first jetisonable air inlet formed of a plurality of removable lip sections held in place by connecting struts and pyrotechnic thrusters. The explosive charge of the thrusters when activated eject the lip sections and struts outward and clear of the missile thus providing a second inlet of a different geometry.

Variable air inlet for a ramjet powered missile

An air inlet duct for a jet propulsion missile or other vehicle which is movable between a housed, pre-launch position and an extended or deployed flight position. A method of manufacturing the duct is also disclosed. The duct system includes a flexible leading edge attached to a double-wall inflatable duct body. Drop threads extend between the duct body walls to hold an exact desired contour when the duct is inflated. A pivotable plate moves the inflatable duct between a housed, deflated, position and an inflated flight position. Manufacture of the inflatable duct is basically accomplished by preparing a foamed plastic form in the desired duct wall shape, covering the form with fabric, stitching through the foam and fabric, coating the fabric with a flexible sealing compound, dissolving away the foamed plastic and attaching the resulting inflatable duct to other missile components.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

George B Nicoloff