Rocket engine enhancement

Abstract

A thrust augmentation system for infinitely variable altitude compensation in solid and liquid fueled rocket engines increases thrust and maximum net total impulse. An Aero Ring rocket engine positioned at a point/ring in the nozzle where flow separation is expected and provides additional mass flow, heat, and pressure to fill the vacuum interior to the nozzle edge where atmospheric intrusion can produce damaging plume flow instabilities. Throttling the Aero Ring engine during ascent allows the effective area expansion ratio to optimally match that needed at each altitude during ascent, thereby providing maximum thrust and impulse throughout the flight. Subdividing the Aero Ring engine into annular segments and controlling them individually or in groups can provide thrust vector control steering.