Exhaust nozzle of an engine for a space launch vehicle equipped with a cooling system

Abstract

The invention relates to an exhaust nozzle (1) of a space launcher engine equipped with a cooling system, extending along a longitudinal direction (D) and having a proximal end intended to be connected to a combustion chamber and a distal end (10), the cooling system comprising a lower manifold (20) disposed at the distal end and along the periphery of the nozzle and channels (30) extending along the longitudinal direction communicating with the lower manifold, characterized in that the cross-section of the lower manifold decreases in at least one dimension along the length of the manifold. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Exhaust nozzle of an engine for a space launcher equipped with a cooling system

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling system for an exhaust nozzle of a space launcher engine. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Exhaust nozzles of a space launcher engine are known, having a nozzle body cooling system comprising:

[0003] - a coolant collector disposed at the inlet of the nozzle and having the shape of a ring,

[0004] - coolant channels supplied by said manifold, the channels being distributed in the body of the nozzle, extending along the longitudinal direction and substantially parallel to each other.

[0005] Although satisfactory, he is eager to propose another embodiment in order to further improve the performance of an exhaust nozzle or a space launcher engine equipped with said exhaust nozzle. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes an exhaust nozzle for a space launcher engine equipped with a cooling system, extending in a longitudinal direction and having a proximal end intended to be connected to a combustion chamber and a distal end, opposite to the proximal end, in particular corresponding to the exhaust gas outlet orifice,

[0007] the cooling system comprising a lower manifold disposed at the distal end and along the periphery of the nozzle and channels extending in the longitudinal direction communicating with the lower manifold,

[0008] characterized in that the cross-section of the lower collector is decreasing in at least one dimension along the path of the collector.

[0009] Thus, the cooling manifold according to the invention makes it possible to distribute the total mass flow rate equally in each cooling channel and to limit pressure drops. Good distribution of the mass flow rate makes it possible to cool the engine and avoid a catastrophic failure.

[0010] According to different modes or variants of embodiments which may or may not be combinable with each other, the exhaust nozzle or manifold comprises or has the following characteristics:

[0011] - the cooling manifold may have one or more parts;

[0012] - the manifold or at least a part of the cooling manifold extends according the peripheral, circumferential, or tangential direction of the nozzle body;

[0013] - preferably, the collector has two parts connected to each other, preferably only, by the cooling fluid supply device at the manifold inlet;

[0014] - preferably, the collector has a crown shape, or an arc shape;

[0015] - according to one embodiment, the cross-section of the collector may present a general quadrilateral shape with four length dimensions or a triangular shape with three length dimensions;

[0016] - according to another embodiment, the cross-section of the collector can present a general triangular shape with three length dimensions;

[0017] - in addition, the cross-section of the collector may have a shape of quadrilateral or triangular having at least two angular dimensions;

[0018] - preferably, the width and / or height, or to make the cross-section is decreasing or decreasing along the path of the collector, in particular from the inlet of the collector towards preferably the diametrically opposite end;

[0019] - according to one embodiment, at least one channel has an inlet orifice of reduced cross-section compared to the inlet orifice of a neighboring channel, preferably at least one channel located opposite the inlet of the collector;

[0020] - preferably the collector is symmetrical about a plane passing through the axis of the nozzle, in particular the axis being substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction;

[0021] - according to one embodiment, the cross-section of the collector may have the shape general shape of a triangle whose vertices have fillets or chamfers.

[0022] In particular, the fluid or coolant is a fuel for said engine.

[0023] According to another aspect, the invention proposes a cooling manifold for an exhaust nozzle of a space launcher engine which may include one or more of the features of the first aspect.

[0024] According to another aspect, the invention proposes a space launcher engine that may include an exhaust nozzle according to one or more of the characteristics of the first aspect.

[0025] According to yet another aspect, the invention proposes a method for manufacturing an exhaust nozzle of a space launcher engine equipped with a cooling system according to one or more of the characteristics of the first aspect, in which at least one 3D additive manufacturing process is used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which follows with reference to the accompanying figures and in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a distal end of the body of a exhaust nozzle of a space launcher engine according to an embodiment comprising a crown-shaped cooling manifold, a Y-shaped pipe allowing connection to the manifold supply device and channels extending substantially vertically, a portion of the channels being visible;

[0028] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of a cooling manifold;

[0029] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is an enlargement of the cross-section of a collector conforming to the [Fig.2];

[0030] [Fig.4] The [Fig.4] is a diagram of a profile of the path of a part of a collector according to an embodiment;

[0031] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a side view of a distal end of the body of a space launcher engine exhaust nozzle according to another embodiment.

[0032] For greater clarity, identical or similar elements of the different embodiments are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] In relation to [Fig. 1], an embodiment of a cooling manifold 20 of an exhaust nozzle 1 of a space launcher engine equipped with a cooling system is described. The nozzle 1 extends along a longitudinal direction D and has a distal end 10 where the cooling manifold 20 is located.

[0034] The lower manifold 20 further extends along the periphery of the nozzle and channels 30 extending in the longitudinal direction communicating with the lower manifold 20. The cooling manifold 20 is supplied with fuel by a supply device not shown via a Y-shaped fitting 5.

[0035] The cooling manifold has the general shape of a crown, seen from above, this crown being not closed so as to present two parts in an arc of a circle, preferably symmetrical along a vertical plane passing through the axis of the nozzle forming two arcs of a circle of 180 degrees angular.

[0036] With reference to figures 1 and 4, the two parts each present a path in which the cross-section of the lower collector is decreasing or decreasing in at least one dimension along the path of the collector.

[0037] With reference to [Fig. 1], the height of the collector is decreasing or degressive along the path of the collector, in particular from the inlet orifice of said collector towards the end diametrically opposite to the inlet orifice.

[0038] With reference to [Fig.4], the width of the collector is decreasing or degressive along the path of the collector, in particular from the inlet orifice of said collector, positioned at point 0°, towards the end of one of the parts of the collector diametrically opposite to the inlet orifice, positioned at point 180°.

[0039] Preferably, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the cross-section 21 of the manifold has the general shape of a triangle whose vertices have fillets or chamfers. For example, with reference to [Fig. 3], the cross-section 21 of the manifold has the shape of a triangle with vertices AB, CD, and EF. Vertex AB has a chamfer so that one side is delimited by points A and B. Vertex CD has a fillet R2 delimited by points C and D. Vertex EF has a fillet RI delimited by points E and F.

[0040] Thus, along the collector's path, the dimensions of the collector's cross-section can vary, namely the lengths dL and / or hcL and / or the angles alU and / or a2M. Furthermore, these dimensions can vary depending on the diameter rlM of the nozzle.

[0041] Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment with reference to [Fig.5], the variable height dimension of the collector can be taken from a reference plane comprising all the inlet ports of the channels.

Claims

Demands

1. Exhaust nozzle (1) of a space launcher engine equipped with a cooling system, extending in a longitudinal direction (D) and having a proximal end intended to be connected to a combustion chamber and a distal end (10), the cooling system comprising a lower manifold (20) disposed at the distal end and along the periphery of the nozzle and channels (30) extending in the longitudinal direction communicating with the lower manifold, characterized in that the cross-section of the lower manifold is decreasing in at least one dimension along the path of the manifold.

2. Nozzle according to the preceding claim in which the cross-section (21) of the collector has a quadrilateral shape having four length dimensions or a triangular shape having three length dimensions.

3. Nozzle according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the cross-section of the collector has a quadrilateral or triangular shape having at least two angular dimensions.

4. Nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one channel has an inlet orifice with a reduced cross-section compared to the inlet orifice of a neighboring channel, preferably at least one channel located opposite the inlet of the manifold.

5. Nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the manifold (20) is symmetrical about a plane passing through the axis of the nozzle.

6. Nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the manifold section has the general shape of a triangle whose vertices have fillets or chamfers.

7. Space launcher engine comprising an exhaust nozzle according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A method for manufacturing an exhaust nozzle for a space launcher engine equipped with a cooling system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one 3D additive manufacturing method is used.

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