Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for reducing the base resistance of a projectile adapted to fly through the air and having a sheer base surface, said device comprising: a combustion chamber for containing a propellant charge and having a discharge nozzle such that when said propellant charge is burned the combustion gases are discharged from said combustion chamber at a high speed faster than the speed of sound; outlet means for causing said combustion gases to flow out to the atmosphere through said sheer base surface; and, means for reducing the speed of flow of said high speed combustion gases so that said outflowing gases have substantially no motive power when they reach the atmosphere, said speed reducing means comprising baffle means behind said sheer base surface for causing said combustion gases to change direction after passing through said sheer base surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for reducing the base resistance of a projectile adapted to fly through the air and having a sheer base surface, said device comprising: a combustion chamber for containing a propellant charge and having a discharge nozzle such that when said propellant charge is burned the combustion gases are discharged from said combustion chamber at a high speed faster than the speed of sound; outlet means for causing said combustion gases to flow out to the atmosphere through said sheer base surface; and, means for reducing the speed of flow of said high speed combustion gases so that said outflowing gases have substantially no motive power when they reach the atmosphere, said speed reducing means comprising baffle means behind said sheer base surface for causing said combustion gases to change direction after passing through said sheer base surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said baffle means includes a baffle member positioned directly across the flow path of combustion gases flowing through an opening in said sheer base surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 2 in which said outlet means includes a partition wall surrounding the sides of said baffle member and having radially arranged outflow openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 3 in which said baffle member has a cross-section much smaller than the sheer base surface of said projectile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said combustion gases are caused to change direction before passing through said sheer base surface by a bulkhead located directly across the path of the combustion gases flowing out of said combustion chamber through said discharge nozzle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said speed reducing means further comprises a chamber between said discharge nozzle and said outlet means of sufficient size relative to the quantity of said combustion gases to reduce the speed of flow of said high speed combustion gases to a speed substantially slower than the speed of sound.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said baffle means causes at least a portion of said combustion gases to change direction by at least 90° before reaching the atmosphere.