The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 25, 1988
Filed:
Mar. 16, 1987
Premysl Jencek, Chatsworth, CA (US);
Rockwell International Corporation, El Segundo, CA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for continuous deployment and stowage of an extendible nozzle 12 of a rocket engine. One end of the heat-resistant sheet metal extendible nozzle 12 is fixedly attached to the lower end of the fixed nozzle 16 of the engine. In the stowed position the extendible nozzle 12 is turned upward and outward so that it circumferentially surrounds the fixed nozzle 16. Axial support means 18 are included which provide support for the extendible nozzle 12 in the stowed position. Deployment means 24 is disposed within a space 34 formed between the extendible nozzle 12 and the fixed nozzle 16 for engaging the extendible nozzle 12 where it is folded upward. The deployment means 24 is positioned so as to unfold the extendible nozzle 12 as the deployment means 24 is advanced downwardly. When the extendible nozzle 12 is unfolded from a stowed position, the deployment means 24 initially engages the end of the extendible nozzle 12 which is attached to the fixed nozzle 16 and then partially unfolds the extendible nozzle 12 as the deployment means 24 moves downwardly engaging intermediate portions of the extendible nozzle 12. This partial unfolding provides high efficiency operation of the rocket engine at certain altitudes. The extendible nozzle 12 is fully deployed by advancing the deployment means 24 to the other end of the extendible nozzle 12 and thus provides high efficiency operation where the highest expansion ratio is desired.