ROCKET PORT CLOSURE
Abstract
This invention provides a simple pressure-actuated closure whereby windowless observation ports are opened to the atmosphere at preselected altitudes. The closure comprises a disk which seals a windowless observation port in rocket hull. An evacuated instrument compartment is affixed to the rocket hull adjacent the inner surface of the disk, while the outer disk surface is exposed to the atmosphere through which the rocket is traveling. The pressure differential between the evacuated instrument compartment and the relatively high pressure external atmosphere forces the disk against the edge of the observation port, thereby effecting a tight seai. The instrument compartment is evacuated to a pressure equal to the atmospheric pressure existing at the altitude at which it is desiretl that the closure should open. When the rocket reaches this preselected altitude, the inwardly directed atmospheric force on the disk is just equaled by the residual air pressure force within the instrument compartment. Consequently, the closure disk falls away and uncovers the open observation port. The separation of the disk from the rocket hull actuates a switch which energizes the mechanism of a detecting instrument disposed within the instrument compartment. (AE C)
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- OSTI Identifier:
- 4771001
- Patent Number(s):
- 3077113
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B64 - AIRCRAFT B64G - COSMONAUTICS
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01W - METEOROLOGY
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-012418
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- ENGINEERING AND EQUIPMENT; ATMOSPHERE; CLOSURES; CONTROL SYSTEMS; INSTRUMENTS; LEVELS; MECHANICAL STRUCTURES; PRESSURE; ROCKETS; SAMPLING; SURFACES; SWITCHES
Citation Formats
Mattingly, J T. ROCKET PORT CLOSURE. United States: N. p., 1963.
Web.
Mattingly, J T. ROCKET PORT CLOSURE. United States.
Mattingly, J T. Tue .
"ROCKET PORT CLOSURE". United States.
@article{osti_4771001,
title = {ROCKET PORT CLOSURE},
author = {Mattingly, J T},
abstractNote = {This invention provides a simple pressure-actuated closure whereby windowless observation ports are opened to the atmosphere at preselected altitudes. The closure comprises a disk which seals a windowless observation port in rocket hull. An evacuated instrument compartment is affixed to the rocket hull adjacent the inner surface of the disk, while the outer disk surface is exposed to the atmosphere through which the rocket is traveling. The pressure differential between the evacuated instrument compartment and the relatively high pressure external atmosphere forces the disk against the edge of the observation port, thereby effecting a tight seai. The instrument compartment is evacuated to a pressure equal to the atmospheric pressure existing at the altitude at which it is desiretl that the closure should open. When the rocket reaches this preselected altitude, the inwardly directed atmospheric force on the disk is just equaled by the residual air pressure force within the instrument compartment. Consequently, the closure disk falls away and uncovers the open observation port. The separation of the disk from the rocket hull actuates a switch which energizes the mechanism of a detecting instrument disposed within the instrument compartment. (AE C)},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1963},
month = {2}
}