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US3952506A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Rocket motor construction

Assignee: ATK Launch Systems LLC
•
Filing: 1973-11-07
•
Granted: 1976-04-27
•
Expires: 1993-11-07
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Abstract

Abstract A solid propellant grain for a rocket is encased in and bonded to an elastomeric insulation sheath. Stresses that would occur between the propellant grain and the rocket case as a result of differential expansion and contraction if the grain were bonded to the case are eliminated by an expandible bearing sleeve that is bonded to the elastomeric sheath. The bearing sleeve is made of noncombustible material and comprises a series of overlapping segments that permit longitudinal motion of the propellant grain relative to the rocket case. The segments may be formed either by separate hoops or by a tape that is wound in a helical pattern on the elastomeric sheath. Since the segments of the sleeve overlap, the rocket case is always protected from hot gases. Hence, the sleeve also functions as a part of the insulation for the rocket case.

Inventors

  • 👤 Albert W. Macbeth

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 03:30
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02K; F02K9/00; F02K9/08; F02K9/32; F02K9/36; F02K9/34; F02K9/346

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 79 words
In a rocket motor that includes a case and a solid propellant grain therein, the improvement comprising: an elastomeric sheath surrounding and bonded to the propellant grain on surfaces thereof that are adjacent the case; and a bearing sleeve of noncombustible material bonded to the elastomeric sheath, and unbonded to the case, the bearing sleeve comprising a series of overlapping segments, whereby longitudinal expansion and contraction of the propellant grain relative to the case are permitted without harmful stress.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 79 words
In a rocket motor that includes a case and a solid propellant grain therein, the improvement comprising: an elastomeric sheath surrounding and bonded to the propellant grain on surfaces thereof that are adjacent the case; and a bearing sleeve of noncombustible material bonded to the elastomeric sheath, and unbonded to the case, the bearing sleeve comprising a series of overlapping segments, whereby longitudinal expansion and contraction of the propellant grain relative to the case are permitted without harmful stress.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The rocket motor of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric sheath is bonded to the rocket case at the forward end portion thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 86 words
The rocket motor of claim 1 wherein each segment of the bearing sleeve has at least one flange extending forwardly and at least one flange extending aftwardly, such that a forward flange of each segment may overlap an aft flange of its adjacent segment, so that, as the segments are moved apart by expansion of the propellant grain, gaps between segments may always be covered by the flanges, whereby the bearing sleeve may also function as a part of the thermal insulation for the rocket case.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The rocket motor of claim 1 wherein the segments of the bearing sleeve are separate hoops.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
The rocket motor of claim 1 wherein the bearing sleeve is made of fiber glass impregnated with resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 13 words
The rocket motor of claim 5 wherein the resin is a cured phenolic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 28 words
The rocket motor of claim 1 further including a coat of polytetrafluoroethylene on the surface of the bearing sleeve adjacent the rocket case, to facilitate relative movement thereof.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2957309A Cited
US3009385A Cited
US3108433A Cited
US3243956A Cited
US3407595A Cited
US3426528A Cited
US3700762A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-04-27 1979-10-27 1980-04-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-04-27 1983-10-27 1984-04-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-04-27 1987-10-27 1988-04-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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