US5131610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Front end structure of a booster rocket mounted on the main body of a launcher
Assignee: Airbus Group SAS
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Filing: 1991-07-08
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2011-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A front end structure of a booster rocket for a launcher is disclosed. The front end structure comprises a curved support arm mechanically connecting a front fastening device to the front end of the booster rocket, and an aerodynamic protection cover mounted onto the front end of the booster rocket and surrounding the support arm without being rigidly mechanically connected to the support arm.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Demange
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:19
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/64; B64G1/641; B64G1/002; B64G1/008; F; F42; F42B; F42B15/00; F42B15/36; B64G1/645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A front end structure of a booster rocket, for connecting to the main body of a launcher by a front fastening device, and comprising, an arc-shaped support arm for mechanically connecting the front fastening device to the front end of the booster rocket, and an aerodynamic protective cover fixed to the front end of the booster rocket and surrounding the arc-shaped support arm without any rigid mechanical connection to the latter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A front end structure of a booster rocket, for connecting to the main body of a launcher by a front fastening device, and comprising, an arc-shaped support arm for mechanically connecting the front fastening device to the front end of the booster rocket, and an aerodynamic protective cover fixed to the front end of the booster rocket and surrounding the arc-shaped support arm without any rigid mechanical connection to the latter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A structure according to claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped support arm has an inwardly curved axis of inertia, said arm having a first end which is perpendicular to the surface of the main launcher body and a second end which is tangential to an axis of inertia of the booster rocket, the curved support arm having a circular section centered on its axis of inertia and a diameter that progressively increases from the first end to the second end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A structure according to claim 2 wherein the diameter of the second end of the arc-shaped support arm is substantially equal to half the diameter of the booster rocket, and further comprising a cylindroconical linking skirt connecting said second end to the front of the booster rocket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure according to claim 3, wherein the cylindroconical linking skirt is made from a light metallic alloy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A structure according to claim 3, wherein the cylindroconical linking skirt is made from a composite material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A structure according to claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped support arm is made from a composite material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A structure according to claim 1, wherein the end of the curved support arm adjacent to the launcher traverses the protective cover via a flexible seal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A structure according to claim 1, wherein the arc-shaped support arm is hollow and has a plurality of reinforcing frames distributed along its entire length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
A front end structure of a booster rocket, for connection to the main body of a launcher by a front fastening device and comprising a curved support arm for mechanically connecting the front fastening device to the front end of the booster rocket, said curved support arm having an inwardly curved axis of inertia, and having a first end which is perpendicular to the surface of the main launcher body and whose second end which is tangential to an axis of inertia of the booster rocket, the curved support arm having a circular section centered on its axis of inertia and a diameter that progressively increases from the first end to the second end, and an aerodynamic protective cover fixed to the front end of the booster rocket surrounding the curved support arm, without any rigid mechanical connection to the latter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
141 words
A front end structure of a booster rocket, for connection to the main body of a launcher by a front fastening device and comprising a curved support arm for mechanically connecting the front fastening device to the front end of the booster rocket, said curved support arm having an inwardly curved axis of inertia, and having a first end which is perpendicular to the surface of the main launcher body and whose second end which is tangential to an axis of inertia of the booster rocket, the curved support arm having a circular section centered on its axis of inertia and a diameter that progressively increases from the first end to the second end, and an aerodynamic protective cover fixed to the front end of the booster rocket surrounding the curved support arm, without any rigid mechanical connection to the latter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A structure according to claim 9, wherein the diameter of the second end of the curved support arm is substantially equal to half the diameter of the booster rocket, and further comprising a cylindroconical linking skirt connecting said second end to the front end of the booster rocket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure according to claim 10, wherein the cylindroconical linking skirt is made from a light metallic alloy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A structure according to claim 10, wherein the cylindroconical linking skirt is made from a composite material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A structure according to claim 9, wherein the curved support arm is made from a composite material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A structure according to claim 9, wherein the end of the curved support arm adjacent to the launcher traverses the protective cover via a flexible seal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A structure according to claim 9, wherein the curved support arm is hollow and has a plurality of reinforcing frames distributed along its entire length.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 9, wherein said cover is conically shaped.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 9, wherein said cover is ogivally shaped.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structure according to claim 10, wherein said skirt includes a plurality of axial stiffening elements having omega-shaped cross-sections.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 1, wherein said cover is conically shaped.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
A structure according to claim 11, wherein said cover is ogivally shaped.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structure according to claim 2, wherein said skirt includes a plurality of axial stiffening elements having omega-shaped cross-sections.
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) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |