Abstract:
Apparatus for reducing the pressure and thermal impingement effects of a supersonic exhaust gas plume emanating from a rocket motor nozzle. A pair of wedge-shaped pieces comprise a disrupter positioned on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis of the rocket exhaust plume in order to disrupt and disperse the plume concentration. The positioning of these pieces is such that at least a portion of the exhaust gas plume may pass between them. The disrupter defines a flow area normal to the central axis of the exhaust flow which is less than the cross sectional area of the exhaust plume at the position of the disrupter pieces. The reduced flow area causes the exhaust flow to undergo a normal shock wave adjacent the position of the disrupter device before the exhaust gases pass between the disrupter body pieces at subsonic velocity. The presence and configuration of the disrupter device disrupts and disperses the plume concentration, and the reduced flow velocity significantly reduces downstream pressure and thermal effects of the exhaust gas plume.
Abstract:
Apparatus for preventing a missile's rocket exhaust gases from contacting and adversely affecting, such as by overheating, the launch rails from which a missile may be launched. Such apparatus includes an angled member having first and second leg portions, the end of the first leg portion being pivotably secured to the rail. A member having an angled surface is mounted to the second leg portion. Prior to the launching of said missile, the apparatus is in a first operative position such that it is out of contact with said launch rail. When the exhaust gases are emitted from said missile, a portion of the exhaust is incident upon the angled surface which causes the apparatus to rotatably pivot into contact with the launch rail, whereby portions of two surfaces of the launch rail are protected from the exhaust. In alternative arrangements, springs or counterweights are provided to hold the protective apparatus open to facilitate loading of a missile on the launch rails while permitting the apparatus to close around the rails when the missile is being launched. Other arrangements provide for translation as well as rotation of a pair of angled members in a clam shell configuration for protection of particularly shaped launch rails.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for preventing combustion of exhaust gases in rocket launch systems using a plurality of launch tubes connected to a plenum including pressure sensors in each launch tube, a control system sensitive to atmospheric pressure and launch tube pressure which provides a signal to an inert gas supply flow controller to initiate flow of gas into the plenum when pressure in a launch tube, after launch of a rocket, reaches a predetermined level.
Abstract:
An exhaust gas management system for missile launch arrangements having multiple launch cells exhausting into a common plenum includes automatic aft closure members which serve to close off the flow passages to inactive cells while providing an open passage for exhaust gases from an active cell undergoing a missile firing. This arrangement prevents back flow or recirculation of exhaust gases into the volume in the cell which is upstream of the rocket nozzle exit.
Abstract:
An apparatus for reducing the pressure and thermal impingement effects of a supersonic exhaust gas plume emanating from a rocket motor nozzle. A disrupter body positioned within the exhaust plume along the central longitudinal axis thereof disrupts and disperses the plume concentration. The body has a central passage through which a portion of the exhaust may pass. The body and passage are sized and shaped to provide a flow area normal to the exhaust flow less than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust plume at the position of the body. The reduced flow area causes the exhaust flow to undergo a normal shock wave upstream of the body before passing through and around the body at a subsonic velocity. The presence and configuration of the body disrupts and disperses the plume concentration, and the reduced flow velocity significantly reduces the downstream pressure and thermal effects of the exhaust gas plume.
Abstract:
An exhaust dissipator device for a rocket exhaust has an inlet for connection to the exhaust and a plurality of smaller exhaust orifices spaced around its surface to dissipate the flow into a plurality of smaller jets. A deflector surface in the direction of exhaust flow into the container acts to further dissipate the flow and deflect it out of its original path. This may comprise an internal surface of the container, or a separate deflector plate spaced from the container surface.
Abstract:
A rear door for a rocket launch tube provided to prevent rocket exhaust gas flow into an empty launch tube from an associated multiple-rocket plenum chamber. The door is maintained in a stored position while a missile is in the launch tube and is activated when the missile leaves the launcher. The door may be latched open and released by a sensor device at a selected position of the missile as it is leaving the launch tube. Preferably, gases from the launching missile power closure of the door, once the door is released from its open latched position. Once the door closes, a second latch locks it in place to seal off the launch tube from the plenum chamber.
Abstract:
A rocket exhaust recirculation obturator or cover member is designed to extend across the base of a missile in a launch tube between the exit nozzle of the missile rocket exhaust and the walls of the launch tube. The cover member has a central opening which seals against the rocket motor nozzle exit, and an outer periphery which seals against the launch tube walls. During launch, pressure of exhaust gases recirculating back up the launch tube will urge the obturator against the base of the missile, and both the missile and obturator will accelerate together up the launch tube. A release assembly is provided at the upper end of the launch tube which engages corresponding release devices at the outer periphery of the obturator. The engagement releases the pressure bond between the obturator, the missile base, and the launch tube. This allows the rocket exhaust to impinge upon the upper surface of the obturator in opposition to the obturator's momemtum. The exhaust impingement forces the obturator back down the launch tube, eliminating debris outside the launch tube.
Abstract:
Pivotable deflector panels are installed in the transition sections between a plurality of rocket storage and launch chambers and a lower plenum or manifold chamber which is provided to dispose of the exhaust gases from missile firings. The deflector panels are in addition to the sets of doors which are provided to close off the missile storage chambers upon the firing of a missile in another chamber in order to prevent recirculation of exhaust gases into the closed off chambers. The deflector panels act with the doors to control exhaust gas flow, thereby improving the effectiveness of the gas plug which is formed by exhaust gases within a transition section.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a launcher-missile system with the launcher tube provided with a configuration on its aft end so as to reduce the tip-off rates of the system. The configuration comprises the formation of an open sector in the flared end of the launcher tube so that a portion of the exhaust gases exiting from the tube, as the missile is fired, does not impinge on that sector of the flared end and thus an impulse caused by the impinging of the gases on the remainder of the flared end reduces the tip-off rate.Also disclosed is a means in which the size and location of the open sector can be selected depending upon the desired change in magnitude and direction of the tip-off rate.