Thermally Regulated Intermediate Ring for Rocket Nozzle Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rocket engine nozzles face challenges in thermal regulation at the connection between the combustion chamber and the divergent section, leading to high temperatures that require expensive materials and complicate production, as well as inadequate cooling of the annular flange.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle design featuring an intermediate ring with inner channels for heat transfer fluid circulation or phase change material, providing independent thermal regulation that reduces the temperature of the connection area and allows the use of less expensive materials, while simplifying the geometry and addressing 'heat soak back' effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling circuit is integrated into the combustion chamber, then the temperature of the combustion chamber is effectively regulated, but the production of the combustion chamber is complicated and the geometry of the annular flange becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The annular flange is segmented into two separate components: the combustion chamber downstream end and the intermediate ring. This segmentation allows the intermediate ring to bear the cooling function independently, simplifying the combustion chamber geometry while maintaining effective temperature regulation through the intermediate ring's cooling circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate ring is introduced as a mediator component between the combustion chamber and the divergent section. This intermediate ring incorporates the cooling circuit and assumes the thermal regulation function, thereby simplifying the combustion chamber design while ensuring proper cooling of the connection area.
2Temperature
If the combustion chamber is equipped with a cooling circuit, then the temperature of the combustion chamber is regulated, but the annular flange is not cooled and must withstand high temperatures requiring expensive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The annular flange is segmented into two separate components: the combustion chamber downstream end and the intermediate ring. This segmentation allows the intermediate ring to bear the cooling function independently, simplifying the combustion chamber geometry while maintaining effective temperature regulation through the intermediate ring's cooling circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate ring is introduced as a mediator component between the combustion chamber and the divergent section. This intermediate ring incorporates the cooling circuit and assumes the thermal regulation function, thereby simplifying the combustion chamber design while ensuring proper cooling of the connection area.
3Reliability
If expensive materials are used for the annular flange to withstand high temperatures, then the temperature resistance is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate ring is designed as a replaceable, cost-effective component that can be made from less expensive materials since it has a shorter service life requirement compared to the combustion chamber. This allows using more economical materials for the cooling-intensive intermediate ring while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The material selection parameters are changed based on the specific functional requirements of each component. The intermediate ring, being cooled independently, can use materials with lower temperature resistance requirements, reducing production costs while maintaining adequate performance for its specific operating conditions.
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
This solution enhances the reliability of the connection, enables operation at higher temperatures with cost-effective materials, and reduces thermal gradients between the divergent section and the combustion chamber, improving thermal management and reducing production complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer fluid circulates in said at least one inner channel of the intermediate ring
Implementation Method 2
a material able to take heat from the ring is present in the inner channel
Implementation Method 3
a phase change material is present in said at least one inner channel of the intermediate ring
Implementation Method 4
the thermal transfer (cooling) is made by latent heat, the phase change material being able to store the energy by a simple change of state while maintaining a temperature constant
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle comprises a combustion chamber having a downstream end and a divergent formed of a cone-shaped wall extending between an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end of the divergent is connected to the downstream end of the combustion chamber by an intermediate ring having an upstream flange fixed on a fixing flange secured to the combustion chamber and a downstream flange connected to the upstream end of the divergent. The intermediate ring having an inner channel present between the upstream and downstream flanges of the intermediate ring. A material able to take heat from the ring is present in the inner channel.