Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

John D Seaquist

Chris Culbertson

A separating connector assembly system for a two-stage reusable launch vehicle. The system includes a plurality of separating connector assemblies each having a gas pressurizable first chamber within a first stage of the launch vehicle and a second chamber within a second stage of the launch vehicle. The system further includes a bolt and nut assembly including a bolt and a pressure-expandable nut, with the bolt projecting from the second chamber into the first chamber and engaged under atmospheric pressure with the nut which is disposed in the first chamber. Pressurized gas is made available from a single manifold in communication with each first chamber such that pressurized gas is simultaneously delivered to all first chambers for substantially simultaneously expanding all pressure-expandable nuts and releasing all respective bolts from these nuts for subsequent disconnected separation of the two stages.

Pneumatic stage separation system for two stage launch vehicle

The present invention relates to an engine mount assembly for supporting an aircraft engine in aft-cantilevered position beneath the aircraft wing. The assembly includes a pair forward engine mounts positioned on opposite sides of an integrally formed yoke member wrapped about the upper half of the engine casing. Each side of the yoke is preferably configured as an A-shaped frame member with the bottom portions joining each other and the pylon. To prevent 'backbone bending' of the engine trunnion assembly, the forward engine mounts supported at opposite ends of the yoke engage the casing along its centerline. The trunnion assembly is preferably constructed of high strength titanium machined and/or forged.

Horizontally opposed trunnion forward engine mount system supported

A system and method for attaching an annular structural component to an aerospace vehicle is provided. The system includes a plurality of fittings circumferentially affixed to an engagement portion of the vehicle, and a plurality of supports. Each support has a first end connected to a corresponding fitting, and a second end having an elongate slot. A flange is configured to extend inwardly from the structural component and into engagement with the second end of each support. The flange has an elongate slot located at each support. Each flange slot is non-parallel to an open communication with each respective support slot. A plurality of pins connects the supports to the flange. Each pin extends through a corresponding flange slot and respective support slot to constrain the structural component, while attaching the structural component to the vehicle during use of the vehicle.

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Long Beach, CA, United States of America

John D Seaquist