Monolithic Rocket Injector Head Distributor Plate Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional injector heads for rocket engines are complex, time-consuming to manufacture and assemble, and require multiple components, leading to high costs and potential inefficiencies in fuel distribution.
Innovation Solution
A simplified injector head design featuring a front plate, base plate, and a distributor plate with through-openings that eliminate the need for separate fuel manifolds, allowing for easier assembly and adjustment of fuel distribution, and potentially reducing weight and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional injector heads use multiple nozzle bodies connected by screws, welds, and soldered joints, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate nozzle bodies and their connecting components (screws, welds, soldered joints) into a single integrated injector head structure. The front plate, distributor plate, and nozzle bodies are formed as one monolithic component, eliminating the need for assembly operations and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece injector head structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: the front plate provides structural support and defines the combustion chamber, the distributor plate distributes fuel through integrated channels, and the nozzle bodies deliver propellants. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate connecting components and reduces assembly steps.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional injector heads use multiple separate components, then the ease of manufacturing individual parts is improved, but the overall assembly time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturable components (front plate, distributor plate, nozzle bodies) into a single piece that can be manufactured using additive manufacturing or other suitable processes. This eliminates the time-consuming assembly operations required for conventional multi-component injector heads while maintaining the manufacturing flexibility needed for complex geometries.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional injector heads use separate fuel manifolds and distributor components, then the fuel distribution can be adjusted, but the weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fuel distribution function directly into the single-piece injector head structure. The distributor plate with its channels and the nozzle bodies are formed as one component, eliminating the need for separate fuel manifolds and reducing overall weight while maintaining the ability to distribute fuel to multiple nozzles through the integrated design.
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 design enables quicker and more cost-effective manufacturing, improved fuel distribution homogeneity, and reduced weight, while maintaining stability through ribbed construction and fluidic chamber configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The first distributor plate distributes the first fuel component, eliminating the need for sleeves on the individual nozzle bodies for fuel distribution
Implementation Method 2
To increase the stability of the front panel, it can be reinforced with ribs
Implementation Method 3
each of the through-holes is arranged in the first distributor plate such that it communicates fluidically (is fluidically coupled) with at least one pocket
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an injector head for an engine, comprising a front plate delimiting a combustion chamber of the engine with outlet openings for a first propellant component, a base plate arrangement arranged on a side of the front plate facing away from the combustion chamber, the base plate comprising a base plate and nozzle bodies extending from the base plate towards the combustion chamber for a second propellant component, the nozzle bodies corresponding to the outlet openings, and a first distributor plate arranged between the front plate and the base plate. The nozzle bodies penetrate the first distributor plate. In regions of the first distributor plate surrounding the nozzle bodies penetrating the first distributor plate, one or more through-openings are formed. Furthermore, the invention relates to an engine with this injector head and a rocket with this injector head or the engine.