Solid propellant management control system and method

Abstract

Systems and methods of controlling solid propellant burn rate, propellant gas pressure, propellant gas pressure pulse shape, and propellant gas flow rate, rely on the position of a throttling valve. A throttling valve that is movable to a control position is disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with, a solid propellant gas generator, and in parallel with a plurality of reaction control valves. The solid propellant in the solid propellant gas generator is ignited, to thereby generate propellant gas. The throttling valve is moved to a control position to attain a desired solid propellant burn rate, propellant gas pressure, and / or propellant gas pressure pulse shape.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention generally relates to propellant gas generation and, more particularly, to a system and method of managing propellant gas generation by a solid propellant.BACKGROUND[0002]Solid propellant gas generators are used in rockets, missiles, interceptors, and various other vehicles and environments. For example, solid propellant gas generators may be used to generate propellant gas for both vehicle propulsion and direction control for missiles, munitions, and various spacecraft. A solid propellant gas generator typically includes a vessel that defines a combustion chamber within which one or more solid propellant masses are disposed. The solid propellant masses, when ignited, generate high-energy propellant gas. Depending upon the particular end-use system in which the solid gas generator is installed, the propellant gas may be supplied, or at least selectively supplied, to a rocket motor and / or reaction jets that may vary the thrust, pitch, yaw, ro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In one embodiment, and by way of example only, a solid propellant management control system includes a vessel, a solid propellant, a plurality of reaction control valves, a throttling valve, and a controller. The vessel defines a combustion chamber. The solid propellant is disposed within the combustion chamber, and is configured to generate propellant gas upon being ignited. The reaction control valves are in fluid communication with the combustion chamber, are each coupled to receive reaction control signals, and are each responsive to the reaction control signals it receives to selectively move between a closed position and a full-open position. The throttling valve is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and is coupled to receive throttling valve control signals. The throttling valve is responsive to the throttling control signals to move to a control position that results in a desired combustion chamber pressure. The controller is operable to selectively supply the reaction control s

Problems solved by technology

Although these systems and methods are effective, each suffers certain drawbacks.

For example, the present systems and methods can significantly affect overall gas generator efficiency, and may rely on fairly complex, relatively heavy, and or relatively costly components and control systems.

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