Canted Multinozzle Grid for Launch Escape Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propulsion systems for launch escape assemblies and missiles face challenges in directing exhaust gases rearward without heating adjacent structures, leading to increased size, weight, and performance costs due to the need for canted nozzles and additional separation structures.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion system featuring a multinozzle grid plate with canted convergent-divergent nozzles, where the nozzles are angled relative to the plate's major surfaces and arranged in series along the axis, allowing for efficient gas ejection and reduced stagnation losses, enabling the system to fit within a cylindrical vehicle body without truncation and maintaining performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If standard rocket motor nozzles are used to direct exhaust gases straight rearward, then propulsion efficiency is maximized, but hot exhaust gases contact other structures causing harmful heating
Solution Approach 1:
The single nozzle is divided into multiple nozzles arranged in a grid pattern on a transverse plate. This segmentation allows the exhaust flow to be distributed across multiple smaller nozzle outlets, directing gases away from the vehicle centerline and preventing contact with adjacent structures while maintaining overall propulsion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle arrangement transitions from a single longitudinal outlet to a two-dimensional grid pattern on a transverse plate. By distributing nozzles across the transverse plane, the system directs exhaust in multiple directions away from the vehicle body, eliminating the harmful heating problem while preserving thrust generation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If canted nozzles are used to angle exhaust away from the centerline, then harmful heating is reduced, but the nozzle diameter must be greater than the cylindrical vehicle body requiring additional separation structures
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle structure is merged with the vehicle body by mounting the multinozzle grid plate directly on the aft end of the cylindrical vehicle. The nozzles are arranged within the diameter of the vehicle body, eliminating the need for external separation structures like towers or skirts while still directing exhaust away from the centerline
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging nozzles in a transverse grid pattern rather than using a single canted nozzle, the system achieves exhaust redirection within the vehicle body diameter. The transverse arrangement allows exhaust to be directed outward and rearward without requiring the nozzle to extend beyond the vehicle circumference
3Device complexity
If canted nozzles are truncated to be flush with the vehicle surface, then device complexity is reduced, but overall propulsion performance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsion system uses multiple smaller nozzles instead of one large truncated nozzle. Each nozzle in the grid can be optimized for full length without truncation, maintaining individual nozzle performance while the collective arrangement provides the desired exhaust direction and flush mounting capability
4Object-affected harmful factors
If additional separation structures like launch escape towers are added to protect from exhaust heating, then harmful heating is prevented, but weight and overall vehicle size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system is integrated directly into the vehicle body structure, with the multinozzle grid plate mounted on the aft end. This integration eliminates the need for separate protection structures like launch escape towers, reducing weight while still preventing exhaust contact with vulnerable areas through the transverse nozzle arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of the exhaust flow (heating adjacent structures) is extracted and redirected away from the vehicle centerline by the transverse nozzle arrangement. By taking the exhaust flow out of the longitudinal path, the system eliminates the need for protective separation structures
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 multinozzle grid plate system reduces weight, manufacturing costs, and overall vehicle size while providing flexibility in nozzle placement and performance comparable to conventional systems, allowing for efficient rearward gas expulsion without adverse heating effects.
Implementation Method 1
a multinozzle grid plate having plural convergent-divergent nozzles therein that are canted nozzles, angled relative to major surfaces of the multinozzle grid plate
Implementation Method 2
pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source is ejected from the nozzles of the multinozzle grid plate
Data Source
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AI summary
A propulsion system includes a canted multinozzle plate (144), which has a multitude of small nozzles (150) angled (not perpendicular) to major surfaces of the multinozzle grid plate. The multinozzle plate may be a cylindrical section or plate, and the multitude of nozzles may be substantially axisymmetric about the cylindrical plate. The propulsion system includes a pressurized gas source which may be placed either forward or aft of the multinozzle grid plate. The propulsion system may have a conical insert, an internal flow separator cone (180), to aid in changing directions of flow from the pressurized gas source, to divert the flow through the multiple nozzles.