Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Stepped nozzle

Patent ·
OSTI ID:672502
An insert is described which allows a supersonic nozzle of a rocket propulsion system to operate at two or more different nozzle area ratios. This provides an improved vehicle flight performance or increased payload. The insert has significant advantages over existing devices for increasing nozzle area ratios. The insert is temporarily fastened by a simple retaining mechanism to the aft end of the diverging segment of the nozzle and provides for a multi-step variation of nozzle area ratio. When mounted in place, the insert provides the nozzle with a low nozzle area ratio. During flight, the retaining mechanism is released and the insert ejected thereby providing a high nozzle area ratio in the diverging nozzle segment. 5 figs.
Research Organization:
University of California
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
Assignee:
Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5,779,151/A/
Application Number:
PAN: 8-654,478
OSTI ID:
672502
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Stepped nozzle
Patent · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1997 · OSTI ID:871699

Mounting of integrated combustor nozzles in a segmented annular combustion system
Patent · Tue Mar 10 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · OSTI ID:1637866

Airbreathing Acceleration Toward Earth Orbit
Conference · Wed May 09 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · OSTI ID:910206