US3698192A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal joint employing a fluid bearing for a movable nozzle
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1970-06-22
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1990-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A universal joint permitting the relative axial angular deflection of two members comprises a receptacle in one of said members, a plug on the other of said members received in said recess and spaced apart therefrom, rolling seal means between the periphery of said receptacle and the periphery of said plug and a fluid filling the volume between the plug member, the seal means and the receptacle. Such a seal is particularly useful for permitting the relative angular deflection of two members which are subjected to loads tending to force the members towards each other such as are encountered, for example, in a reaction motor employing a movable nozzle where the blow-out loads on the nozzle tend to force the movable nozzle against the fixed nozzle support structure. This joint, with the receptacle, plug and seal means in annular form, is a lightweight, reliable, load bearing universal joint and nozzle seal which requires relatively low actuating forces.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence A Le Febvre Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:41
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K9/00; F02K9/80; F02K9/84; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16L; F16L27/00; F16L27/02; F16L27/04; F16L27/06; F16L27/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
In a movable nozzle reaction motor comprising, a combustion chamber, a nozzle support structure, a movable nozzle assembly, joint means for supporting said movable nozzle assembly on said fixed nozzle support means and means for angularly deflecting the axis of said movable nozzle means with respect to the axis of said reaction motor, the improvement wherein said joint means comprises: a. annular plug means formed on one of said nozzle support structure and movable nozzle assembly, b. annular receptacle means formed on the other of said fixed nozzle support and movable nozzle assembly, said plug means being received in said receptacle means in spaced apart relationship therefrom, c. rolling seal means disposed between said plug means and receptacle means and defining a volume therebetween, and d. a fluid filling volume.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
In a movable nozzle reaction motor comprising, a combustion chamber, a nozzle support structure, a movable nozzle assembly, joint means for supporting said movable nozzle assembly on said fixed nozzle support means and means for angularly deflecting the axis of said movable nozzle means with respect to the axis of said reaction motor, the improvement wherein said joint means comprises: a. annular plug means formed on one of said nozzle support structure and movable nozzle assembly, b. annular receptacle means formed on the other of said fixed nozzle support and movable nozzle assembly, said plug means being received in said receptacle means in spaced apart relationship therefrom, c. rolling seal means disposed between said plug means and receptacle means and defining a volume therebetween, and d. a fluid filling volume.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The reaction motor of claim 1 wherein said fluid is substantially incompressible liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A movable nozzle system comprising, in combination: a. a first member comprising a nozzle support structure, b. a second member comprising a movable nozzle assembly, c. annular receptacle means formed on one of said members, d. annular plug means formed on the other of said members and received within said receptacle means, e. fluid supported flexible membrane means disposed within said receptacle means maintaining the adjacent surfaces of said plug means and receptacle means in spaced apart relationship, said membrane being formed, in the space between adjacent side surface of said plug and receptacle means, into reentrant convolutes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
A movable nozzle system comprising, in combination: a. a first member comprising a nozzle support structure, b. a second member comprising a movable nozzle assembly, c. annular receptacle means formed on one of said members, d. annular plug means formed on the other of said members and received within said receptacle means, e. fluid supported flexible membrane means disposed within said receptacle means maintaining the adjacent surfaces of said plug means and receptacle means in spaced apart relationship, said membrane being formed, in the space between adjacent side surface of said plug and receptacle means, into reentrant convolutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said fluid is a substantially incompressible liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claiM 3 further comprising means for angularly deflecting the axis of said first member with respect to the axis of said second member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly of claim 4 further comprising means for angularly deflecting the axis of said first member with respect to the axis of said second member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A movable nozzle assembly for obtaining relative angular deflection of the axis of a reaction motor nozzle and the axis of a reaction motor comprising: a. movable nozzle means, b. support means for said movable nozzle means, and c. load bearing means for transmitting loads on said movable nozzle means to said nozzle support means, said load bearing means comprising fluid supported membrane means disposed between said nozzle means and said support means and forming rolling seal means between the portions of the surfaces of said nozzle means and support means which undergo relative translational motion during angular deflection of the axis of said nozzle means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
A movable nozzle assembly for obtaining relative angular deflection of the axis of a reaction motor nozzle and the axis of a reaction motor comprising: a. movable nozzle means, b. support means for said movable nozzle means, and c. load bearing means for transmitting loads on said movable nozzle means to said nozzle support means, said load bearing means comprising fluid supported membrane means disposed between said nozzle means and said support means and forming rolling seal means between the portions of the surfaces of said nozzle means and support means which undergo relative translational motion during angular deflection of the axis of said nozzle means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The nozzle assembly of claim 7 wherein said fluid supported membrane means maintains adjacent surfaces of said nozzle means and support means in spaced apart relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The nozzle assembly of claim 8 further comprises means affixing said membrane means to each of said nozzle means and support means whereby relative rotation of said nozzle means and support means is prevented.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The movable nozzle assembly of claim 9 wherein the volume of fluid supporting said fluid supported membrane remains substantially constant upon angular deflection of said nozzle means and support means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mass of fluid in said volume in the deflected condition is substantially equal to the mass of fluid in said volume in the nondeflected condition and all intermediate conditions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The movable nozzle assembly of claim 9 wherein the mass of fluid supporting said fluid supported membrane remains substantially constant upon angular deflection of said nozzle means and support means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a movable nozzle reaction motor comprising, a combustion chamber, a nozzle support structure, a movable nozzle assembly, joint means for supporting said movable nozzle assembly on said fixed nozzle support means and means for angularly deflecting the axis of said movable nozzle means with respect to the axis of said reaction motor, the improvement wherein said joint means comprises: a. plug means formed on one of said nozzle support structure and movable nozzle assembly, b. receptacle means formed on the other of said fixed nozzle support and movable nozzle assembly, said plug means being received in said receptacle means in spaced apart relationship therefrom, c. rolling seal means disposed between said plug means and receptacle means and defining a volume therebetween, and d. a fluid filling said volume.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
129 words
In a movable nozzle reaction motor comprising, a combustion chamber, a nozzle support structure, a movable nozzle assembly, joint means for supporting said movable nozzle assembly on said fixed nozzle support means and means for angularly deflecting the axis of said movable nozzle means with respect to the axis of said reaction motor, the improvement wherein said joint means comprises: a. plug means formed on one of said nozzle support structure and movable nozzle assembly, b. receptacle means formed on the other of said fixed nozzle support and movable nozzle assembly, said plug means being received in said receptacle means in spaced apart relationship therefrom, c. rolling seal means disposed between said plug means and receptacle means and defining a volume therebetween, and d. a fluid filling said volume.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
A movable nozzle system comprising, in combination: a. a first member comprising a nozzle support structure, b. a second member comprising a movable nozzle assembly, c. receptacle means formed on one of said members, d. plug means formed on the other of said members and received within said receptacle means, and e. fluid supported flexible membrane means disposed within said receptacle means maintaining the adjacent surfaces of said plug means and receptacle means in spaced apart relationship, said membrane being formed, in the space between adjacent sides of said plug and receptacle means, into reentrant convolutes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
96 words
A movable nozzle system comprising, in combination: a. a first member comprising a nozzle support structure, b. a second member comprising a movable nozzle assembly, c. receptacle means formed on one of said members, d. plug means formed on the other of said members and received within said receptacle means, and e. fluid supported flexible membrane means disposed within said receptacle means maintaining the adjacent surfaces of said plug means and receptacle means in spaced apart relationship, said membrane being formed, in the space between adjacent sides of said plug and receptacle means, into reentrant convolutes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
158 words
A movable nozzle system for a reaction motor comprising in combination: a. a first member comprising a nozzle support structure, b. a second member comprising a movable nozzle assembly, c. receptacle means formed on one of said members and disposed about the axis of said movable nozzle assembly, d. plug means formed on the other of said members and received within said receptacle, the surfaces of said plug means being spaced apart from the surfaces of said said receptacle means, e. membrane meaNs disposed in fluid retaining relationship between said plug means and said receptacle means, said membrane having convolutes of at least 90* between the outer surface of said plug means and the adjacent surface of said receptacle means and between the inner surface of said plug means and the adjacent surface of said receptacle means, and f. a fluid in the volume between said plug means and receptacle means and maintained therein by said membrane means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
158 words
A movable nozzle system for a reaction motor comprising in combination: a. a first member comprising a nozzle support structure, b. a second member comprising a movable nozzle assembly, c. receptacle means formed on one of said members and disposed about the axis of said movable nozzle assembly, d. plug means formed on the other of said members and received within said receptacle, the surfaces of said plug means being spaced apart from the surfaces of said said receptacle means, e. membrane meaNs disposed in fluid retaining relationship between said plug means and said receptacle means, said membrane having convolutes of at least 90* between the outer surface of said plug means and the adjacent surface of said receptacle means and between the inner surface of said plug means and the adjacent surface of said receptacle means, and f. a fluid in the volume between said plug means and receptacle means and maintained therein by said membrane means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 15 further comprising means for angularly deflecting the axis of said first member with respect to the axis of said second member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said fluid is substantially incompressible.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 16 wherein each said convolute extends through at approximately 180*.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |