IP Library Granted Patent US 10,598,129
Granted Patent B2
US 10,598,129 · App. 15/227,091 · Granted Mar 24, 2020

Fragmenting nozzle system

Inventor: Douglass McPherson, Sr. (Frederickburg, VA)
Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc.
F02K9/974F02K9/95F02K9/97F02K9/976F02K9/978F05D2300/211F05D2300/2102F05D2300/612
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,598,129
App. No.
15/227,091
Granted
Mar 24, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fragmenting nozzle system includes a first nozzle at least partially disposed within a second nozzle. The first nozzle includes an ablative shell, a syntactic foam support disposed between the ablative shell and the second nozzle, and an ignition system disposed at least partially within the syntactic foam support. For example, the ignition system is operable to generate a controlled-energy deflagration pressure wave that fragments the first nozzle but not the second nozzle.

Claims (28)

1. A fragmenting nozzle system comprising:

a first nozzle at least partially disposed within a second nozzle,

the first nozzle including an ablative shell, a syntactic foam support disposed between the ablative shell and the second nozzle, and an ignition system disposed at least partially within the syntactic foam support.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the syntactic foam support comprises benzoxazine.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the syntactic foam support includes benzoxazine resin and an ether.

4. The system as recited in claim 3 , wherein the ether is selected from the group consisting of butyl glycidyl ether, cresyl glycidyl ether, neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether, 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, castor oil polyglycidyl ether, and combinations thereof.

5. The system as recited in claim 3 , wherein the syntactic foam support includes fumed silica.

6. The system as recited in claim 3 , wherein the syntactic foam support includes amorphous silica powder.

7. The system as recited in claim 3 , wherein the syntactic foam support includes microspheres.

8. The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the microspheres are glass microspheres.

9. The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the microspheres are ceramic microspheres.

10. The system as recited in claim 7 , wherein the syntactic foam support includes, by weight, 10%-40% of the microspheres.

11. The system as recited in claim 2 , wherein the syntactic foam support includes, by weight, up to 15% silica.

12. The system as recited in claim 11 , wherein the silica is selected from the group consisting of fumed silica, amorphous silica powder, silica glass fibers, and combinations thereof.

13. A fragmenting nozzle system comprising:

inner and outer convergent-divergent nozzles, the inner convergent-divergent nozzle lining an interior of the outer convergent-divergent nozzle and defining an initial nozzle throat geometry; and

an ignition system operable to trigger a controlled-energy deflagration pressure wave across the inner and outer convergent-divergent nozzles,

the inner convergent-divergent nozzle being formed of a fragmenting material with respect to the deflagration pressure wave and the outer convergent-divergent nozzle being formed of a fragment-resistant material with respect to the deflagration pressure wave such that upon triggering of the deflagration pressure wave, the inner convergent-divergent nozzle fragments and exposes a secondary, different nozzle throat geometry of the outer convergent-divergent nozzle.

14. The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein the inner convergent-divergent nozzle includes a shell and a foam support, the shell includes cyanate ester and the foam support includes benzoxazine.

15. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the foam support includes benzoxazine resin and an ether.

16. The system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the ether is selected from the group consisting of butyl glycidyl ether, cresyl glycidyl ether, neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether, 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether, castor oil polyglycidyl ether, and combinations thereof.

17. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the foam support includes silica selected from the group consisting of fumed silica, amorphous silica powder, silica glass fibers, and combinations thereof.

18. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the foam support includes microspheres.

19. The system as recited in claim 14 , wherein the shell is a non-foam.

20. A fragmenting nozzle system comprising:

inner and outer convergent-divergent nozzles, the inner convergent-divergent nozzle lining an interior of the outer convergent-divergent nozzle and defining an initial nozzle throat geometry; and

an ignition system operable to trigger a controlled-energy detonation pressure wave across the inner and outer convergent-divergent nozzles,

the inner convergent-divergent nozzle being formed of a fragmenting material with respect to the detonation pressure wave and the outer convergent-divergent nozzle being formed of a fragment-resistant material with respect to the detonation pressure wave such that upon triggering of the detonation pressure wave, the inner convergent-divergent nozzle fragments and exposes a secondary, different nozzle throat geometry of the outer convergent-divergent nozzle.

Assignments (3)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 28, 2023
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE, INC.
Reel/Frame 064424/0098 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Sep 27, 2018
From: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047570/0964 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2016
From: MCPHERSON, DOUGLASS, SR.
To: AEROJET ROCKETDYNE, INC.
Reel/Frame 039933/0028 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part PCTUS2015028423 · Apr 30, 2015
Provisional Application 62202499 · Aug 7, 2015
Provisional Application 61988680 · May 5, 2014
Related Publication 20160341151A1 · Nov 24, 2016