Aerospike Pintle Nozzle for Simultaneous Thrust Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid propulsion systems used in military guided weapons lack the ability to simultaneously control the magnitude and direction of thrust, requiring additional apparatuses which complicate design and increase weight.
Innovation Solution
A thrust control apparatus is introduced, featuring an aerospike pintle nozzle with a pintle and thrust vectoring unit, where a cylinder moves and rotates the thrust vectoring unit to control the nozzle neck gap, allowing simultaneous control of thrust magnitude and direction, and includes a purging mode to prevent particle deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solid propulsion systems use traditional nozzle designs, then the structure is simple, but the ability to control thrust magnitude and direction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is segmented into multiple functional components: a fixed aerospike nozzle body, a movable pintle element controlled by a driving motor for magnitude control, and a thrust vectoring unit with sliding and rotational parts for direction control. This segmentation allows independent control of thrust magnitude and direction while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle incorporates dynamic elements including a motor-driven pintle that moves axially to control thrust magnitude, and a thrust vectoring unit with sliding and rotational components that dynamically adjust the nozzle orientation for direction control. These dynamic elements enable real-time adaptation of thrust characteristics without changing the basic nozzle structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional control apparatuses are added to solid propulsion systems, then thrust control capability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust vectoring unit serves multiple functions: it controls thrust direction through rotation, adjusts nozzle alignment through sliding motion, and works in conjunction with the pintle element for comprehensive thrust control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated control mechanisms, thereby minimizing weight addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the thrust magnitude control function (pintle movement) and direction control function (thrust vectoring unit) into a single integrated nozzle assembly. The driving motor and cylinder are merged with the nozzle structure itself rather than being separate external components, reducing overall system weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional control apparatuses are added to solid propulsion systems, then thrust control capability is improved, but design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a driving motor for pintle actuation, a cylinder for thrust vectoring unit actuation, and the thrust vectoring unit itself with sliding and rotational parts. Each module handles a specific control function, making the overall complex system manageable through modular design and independent control mechanisms.
4Ease of manufacture
If the nozzle structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but heat resistance design load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into a fixed aerospike nozzle body that handles the primary heat exposure from combustion, and movable control elements (pintle and thrust vectoring unit) that can be designed with lighter materials since they are not in direct contact with the hottest combustion gases. This segmentation allows the critical heat-resistant sections to be optimized separately from the control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The proposed technology relates to a thrust control apparatus of a propulsion system, and more particularly, to a thrust control apparatus of a solid propulsion system equipped with an aerospike pintle nozzle. The present invention is to simultaneously control the magnitude and direction of thrust by installing a pintle and a thrust vectoring unit at the rear end of a combustion tube of a solid propulsion system.