Annular Booster Rocket for Continuous Thrust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing booster rockets for flight vehicles often interfere with the operation of main propulsion systems and do not provide additional thrust without expanding the vehicle's envelope, and they typically detach after fuel exhaustion, limiting their utility.
Innovation Solution
A booster rocket with an annular shape and solid rocket fuel, mechanically coupled to a main propulsion system's nozzle, featuring multiple nozzle pieces and a seal to maintain operation without interference, allowing continuous thrust and remaining attached post-fuel exhaustion, with a design that includes an annular casing, nozzle pieces, and an igniter for efficient combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a booster rocket is added to a flight vehicle, then additional thrust is provided, but it may interfere with the operation of the main propulsion system
Solution Approach 1:
The booster rocket is designed with an annular casing that fits around the existing propulsion system nozzle, nesting the booster structure around the main system component. This allows the booster to provide additional thrust while being physically integrated around the existing nozzle without interfering with its operation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding thrust in a direction that might interfere with the main propulsion system, the annular booster provides thrust in a concentric arrangement around the nozzle, utilizing a different spatial dimension (radial arrangement) to avoid interference while maintaining effective thrust generation
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a booster rocket is designed to remain attached after fuel exhaustion, then continuous attachment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling mechanism is integrated directly into the annular casing structure itself, merging the coupling function with the main body of the booster rather than being a separate complex assembly. This allows the booster to remain attached after fuel exhaustion without requiring an overly complex separate coupling system
Solution Approach 2:
The annular casing serves multiple functions: it contains the propellant, provides structural support, and incorporates the mechanical coupling mechanism for attachment to the flight vehicle. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving continuous attachment capability
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 booster rocket provides additional thrust to flight vehicles without interfering with the main propulsion system, maintaining attachment throughout flight and fuel exhaustion, offering a low-drag, efficient propulsion solution that complements the primary system.
Implementation Method 1
a solid rocket fuel in the annular space
Implementation Method 2
one or more nozzle pieces mechanically coupled to the annular casing, defining one or more nozzles at an aft end of the annular casing
Data Source
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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 rocket booster also includes one or more nozzle pieces, mechanically coupled to the casing, that define one or more nozzles at the aft side of the rocket booster. 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.