US3726480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thrust vectoring control system for rocket nozzles
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1971-02-24
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1991-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A system for providing a rocket powered vehicle with complete thrust vectoring capabilities including a convergent-divergent nozzle attached to a motor casing by a flexible joint member. The flexible joint member includes a laminar structure comprising a series of alternate annular elastomeric and metallic shim members. The elastomeric shim members provide omnidirectional flexible capabilities for the nozzle. Integrally connected to the nozzle is a hydraulically controlled pintle member movable along the axis of the nozzle which varies the effective cross-sectional area of the throat of the nozzle and thereby varies the magnitude of the resulting thrust.
Inventors
- 👤 L Miltenberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:49
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K9/00; F02K9/80; F02K9/84
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A thrust system for rocket powered vehicles comprising: a convergent-divergent nozzle having a throat of a particular cross-sectional area and a first annular flange circumscribing said nozzle; a rocket motor casing providing a housing for a rocket motor, said casing having a second annular flange positioned in an opposing relationship to said first annular flange; joint means connected to said first and second annular flanges for permitting omnidirectional pivoting of said nozzle with respect to said casing; means for selectively pivoting said nozzle in any desired direction; and means operably disposed within said nozzle for varying said throat cross-sectional area including a tapered body member axially disposed within said nozzle and extending from a housing; means connecting said housing to said nozzle permitting the housing and nozzle to pivot as an integral unit; and means disposed within said housing for selectively moving said tapered body member along the axis of said nozzle to vary the effective cross-sectional area of said throat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A thrust system for rocket powered vehicles comprising: a convergent-divergent nozzle having a throat of a particular cross-sectional area and a first annular flange circumscribing said nozzle; a rocket motor casing providing a housing for a rocket motor, said casing having a second annular flange positioned in an opposing relationship to said first annular flange; joint means connected to said first and second annular flanges for permitting omnidirectional pivoting of said nozzle with respect to said casing; means for selectively pivoting said nozzle in any desired direction; and means operably disposed within said nozzle for varying said throat cross-sectional area including a tapered body member axially disposed within said nozzle and extending from a housing; means connecting said housing to said nozzle permitting the housing and nozzle to pivot as an integral unit; and means disposed within said housing for selectively moving said tapered body member along the axis of said nozzle to vary the effective cross-sectional area of said throat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A thrust control system as recited in claim 1 wherein: said first and second annular flanges are formed with cooperating spherical surfaces; and said joint means is comprised of an annular member including alternate layers of elastomeric and metallic shim members, said annular member having opposed outer surfaces comprising said elastomeric shim members conformingly shaped and bonded to said first and second annular flanges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A thrust control system as recited in claim 2 wherein said tapered body moving means includes a pressure responsive piston member selectively actuated by a source of pressure external to said nozzle and connected to said tapered body member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
96 words
A thrust control system for rocket powered vehicles comprising: a rocket motor casing for housing a rocket motor; a convergent-divergent nozzle having a throat of a particular cross-sectional area; flexible joint means connecting said rocket motor casing and said nozzle for permitting omnidirectional pivoting of said nozzle relative to said casing; means for selectively pivoting said nozzle; means disposed within said nozzle for selectively varying said throat cross-sectional area; and support means connecting said throat area varying means to said nozzle to permit said throat area varying means and nozzle to pivot as an integral unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
96 words
A thrust control system for rocket powered vehicles comprising: a rocket motor casing for housing a rocket motor; a convergent-divergent nozzle having a throat of a particular cross-sectional area; flexible joint means connecting said rocket motor casing and said nozzle for permitting omnidirectional pivoting of said nozzle relative to said casing; means for selectively pivoting said nozzle; means disposed within said nozzle for selectively varying said throat cross-sectional area; and support means connecting said throat area varying means to said nozzle to permit said throat area varying means and nozzle to pivot as an integral unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The thrust control system of claim 6 wherein: said flexible joint means is comprised of an annular member including alternate layers of elastomeric and metallic shim members, said annular member having opposed outer surfaces comprising said elastomeric shim members conformingly shaped and bonded to said casing and said nozzle.
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) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |