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US4185558A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Re-entry vehicle boundary layer transition suppressor

Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1968-04-23
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Granted: 1980-01-29
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Expires: 1988-04-23
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Abstract

Abstract Boundary layer transition is delayed on a re-entry vehicle by making use of the differential pressure that normally exists between the surface of a re-entry vehicle and the base region of the vehicle. Choked flow orifices are provided on the surface of the vehicle at the input to the internal ducting leading to the base region of the vehicle.

Inventors

  • 👤 James A. Quinville

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 14:59
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/62

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim 172 words
A system for delaying the boundary layer transition for a substantially conically shaped re-entry vehicle having a nose section, a body section and a base section wherein there normally exists a differential pressure between the boundary layer adjacent the conical surface of the body section and the base region of the vehicle during re-entry into the atmosphere, comprising: an inner wall member; an outer wall member, positioned over the inner wall member; internal duct means in the inner wall member, adjacent the outer wall member; said duct means being a plurality of longitudinal slots extending to the base region of the vehicle; said slots meeting in a common exit orifice at the base region of the vehicle means, including a plurality of annular nozzle orifices on the conical surface of said vehicle, for providing a choked flow of gases from the boundary layer into said duct means, whereby an automatic altitude compensated pump is provided for the suction flow of gases from the boundary layer to the base region of the vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 172 words
A system for delaying the boundary layer transition for a substantially conically shaped re-entry vehicle having a nose section, a body section and a base section wherein there normally exists a differential pressure between the boundary layer adjacent the conical surface of the body section and the base region of the vehicle during re-entry into the atmosphere, comprising: an inner wall member; an outer wall member, positioned over the inner wall member; internal duct means in the inner wall member, adjacent the outer wall member; said duct means being a plurality of longitudinal slots extending to the base region of the vehicle; said slots meeting in a common exit orifice at the base region of the vehicle means, including a plurality of annular nozzle orifices on the conical surface of said vehicle, for providing a choked flow of gases from the boundary layer into said duct means, whereby an automatic altitude compensated pump is provided for the suction flow of gases from the boundary layer to the base region of the vehicle.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3129667A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-01-28 1983-07-30 1984-01-29 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-01-28 1987-07-30 1988-01-29 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-01-28 1991-07-30 1992-01-29 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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