Annular Booster Rocket for Missile Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing booster rockets for flight vehicles face limitations in design, particularly in providing additional thrust without interfering with the main propulsion system and maintaining a compact, non-intrusive profile.
Innovation Solution
An annular booster rocket with a solid fuel casing that is mechanically coupled to a main propulsion system's nozzle, featuring protruding tabs to maintain an annular gap as a nozzle, allowing for efficient thrust addition without expanding the vehicle's envelope and remaining coupled post-fuel expenditure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a booster rocket is added to a flight vehicle to provide additional thrust, then the thrust capability is improved, but the device complexity and structural interference with the main propulsion system worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The booster rocket is designed as an annular structure that nests around the existing jet nozzle of the flight vehicle. The booster casing encircles the nozzle, with the jet nozzle passing through the central opening of the annular booster, allowing both systems to occupy the same spatial envelope without requiring additional external volume
Solution Approach 2:
The booster rocket and main jet propulsion system are merged into a single integrated assembly where the booster is mechanically coupled to the jet nozzle. The annular gap between the booster casing and jet nozzle serves as the nozzle for exhaust flow, combining the thrust generation functions of both systems while sharing common structural elements
2Power
If a booster rocket is mechanically coupled to the main propulsion system, then the thrust addition is improved, but the interference with the main propulsion system operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The annular gap between the booster casing and jet nozzle is specifically designed to maintain optimal dimensions for exhaust flow. The gap width is controlled by protruding tabs that ensure proper spacing, allowing the jet exhaust to pass through without being disrupted while still providing effective thrust coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The annular gap acts as an intermediary flow path between the jet engine exhaust and the external environment. This gap allows the jet exhaust gases to pass through without direct contact with the booster casing, preventing interference with the main propulsion system operation while still enabling mechanical coupling and thrust addition
3Volume of moving object
If the booster rocket envelope is kept compact to avoid expanding the flight vehicle, then the vehicle envelope is preserved, but the booster rocket design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The booster rocket transitions from a conventional cylindrical shape to an annular (ring-shaped) configuration, utilizing the radial dimension around the jet nozzle. This dimensional change allows the booster to fit within the existing vehicle envelope by wrapping around the nozzle rather than extending the vehicle length or width
Solution Approach 2:
The booster casing features an asymmetric profile with a cylindrical forward section and an inwardly-sloped aft section. The inwardly-sloped aft section tapers toward the rear, allowing the booster to fit within the vehicle envelope while accommodating the jet nozzle geometry and providing efficient exhaust flow paths
4Stability of the object's composition
If the booster rocket remains coupled to the flight vehicle after fuel expenditure, then the structural integration is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular casing of the booster rocket serves multiple functions: it contains the solid propellant, provides structural coupling to the jet nozzle, defines the exhaust flow path through the annular gap, and remains as a structural component after fuel expenditure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, offsetting the weight penalty of remaining attached
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The annular booster rocket design provides additional thrust to flight vehicles like missiles without interfering with the primary propulsion system, maintaining a compact profile and remaining attached throughout flight, ensuring continuous operation and efficient thrust delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a solid rocket fuel in the annular space
Implementation Method 2
the annular casing defines an annular gap that acts as a nozzle for the booster rocket
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~7
AI summary
A rocket booster has an annular shape, with a casing defining an annular space therewithin, and a solid rocket fuel in the annular spacing. The casing may itself at least in part define an annular gap that functions as a nozzle for the rocket booster, with protruding tabs on the casing aiding in maintaining a uniform height of the annular gap. The rocket booster may be mechanically coupled to an object protruding from the back of a fuselage of a flight vehicle, such as a missile. For example, the rocket booster may be placed around an aft turbojet nozzle of the flight vehicle. This allows the rocket booster to be used in situations where primary propulsion must be running both before and after (and perhaps during) the firing of the rocket booster.