Automatically deploying nozzle exit cone extensio

Ward, D. R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

REPLY TO 
ATTN OF: GP 
TO: 
FROM: 
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546 
October 15, 1970 
~ ~ ~ / ~ c i e n t i f i c  & Technical Information Division 
Attention: Miss Winnie M. Morgan 
~ ~ / ~ f f i c e  of Assistant General 
Counsel for Patent Matters 
SUBJECT: Announcement of NASA-Owned 
U.S. Patents in STAR 
In accordance with the procedures contained in the Code GP 
to Code US1 memorandum on this subject, dated June 8, 1970, 
the attached NASA-owned U.S. patent is being forwarded for 
abstracting and announcement in NASA STAR. 
The following information is provided: 
U.S. Patent No. 
Corporate Source : Lewis Research Center 
Supplementary 
Corporate Source 
NASA Patent Case No.: XLE-01640 
Gayle Parker 
Enclosure: 
Copy of Patent 
N ASA-HQ 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710006162 2020-03-17T02:39:47+00:00Z
D+ R, WARD 3,270,504 
k3 E X I T  CONE EXTENSION 
United States Patent 0% 2 270,504 -9  ce Pa,, nted s,,, , ,966 
H 2 
Thele is shown in FIG. 1 an exit cone a s s~mbly  corn- 
3,2761,504 prising an exit nozzle 1 having a small end poltion 2 
AUTOMATICALLY DEPLOYING NOZZLE and a large end portion 3 and an exit cone extension 5 
EXIT QIOhTE EXTENSION telescoped aiound said nozzle in a collapsed or retracted 
Do~pald R. Wad,  Garfield Heigf;~d-s, Ohio, assigner to CI:e 
~f~~ extension 5 automaticallJ, deployed to its United Slates of America as represented by the Admit%- istrstor the National A ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ G ~ ~  extended position when the prior stage fi separates f lom 
Adnainisiratiorn the exit cone assembly. A plurality of snap columns 18 
Filed JvBg 20, 1965,Ser. No. 473,535 are provided to move the extension fiom its coIlapsed po- 
10 Clain~s. (C1. QO-35.6) sition shown in FIG. 1 to its extended position shown in 
10 FIG. 2, each snap column PO being in a bent position in 
The invention decclibed helein may be n~?nofactnred FIG. 1 and in a straight position in FIG. 2. A s  can be 
and used by or  for the Governn~ent of the United States seen in FIG. 2, each column 10 becomes a rigid axial load 
of Aineiica for governmental purpoyes without the pay- carrying member in its extended position. 
rnent of any royalties theieon 01 therefor. The extension 5 can be retracted to its collapsed posi- 
Tne p~ecent  invzntion relates to an exit cone asse~nbly 15 tion when desired, the column being flexible and when 
having an exten~ion for a no7zle that can be automatical- bent as ~ h o w n  in FIG. 1 has an arcuate cross sectional 
!y deployed irito i f s  extended po~i t ion when the pleceding aiea as best scen in FIG. 3. The column, as seen in 
stage is separated fioin the acsembly. The invention more FIG. 3, has an exterior surface I1 that is convex, the cen- 
pa~ t i cu la~ ly  relatcs to an  exit cone assembly having means ter of column being bent upwarclly a distance about 
for inclefsing the exit ccne area ~ a t i o  f a rocket nozzle to 20 to %o of the width of said column and a distance of 
thereby obtaia an increase in engine thrust without using about 3 to 5 times the thickness of said column. 
a corl ecaonding increase in propellant weight. Although the snap column may be of valious lengthy 
I t  is an object of the present invention to provide an and widths depending upon the design of the extension 
exit cone assembly for a locket no7zle that has an auto- and the nozzle, in the prefe~led embodiment shown in the 
nlatically deployed extension to thereby obtain an in- 25 drawings, the length is p~efeiably about 15 to 25 times 
cleaceci eri t  cone area I atio. the width which, in turn, is about 8 to 15 times the thick- 
It is :tn object of the p:e\ent invention to orovide an ness. As seen in FIG. 1, each column is bent into a 
exit cone ccsembly for a locket noz7le in which an exten- folded position that generally resembles a question mark, 
sion foi the nozzle is provided with extending rneans for the height of the folded c o l u i ~ n  being only about '/z to 2/3 
autontaticallv d5ploying said evtension to its extended po- 30 the length of the column in its extended poqition. 
rilion when the lowel < t ;~e  sepnates from the exit cone Each of the colunins 10 is connected a t  one end to a 
asqernbly, said extending meqns including a plulality of collar B4 at the small end of the nozzle by a suitable 
?nap columns connected between the nozzle and the exten- means such as a pin 12 so that the end of the column can 
sion. be pivoted about said pin connection. Each snap col~irnn 
It is an object of the present invention to provide an 35 10 is rigidly connected to the extension 5 by means of a 
exit cone asselilbly including a nozzle and an exten~ion ring 16 that encircles the extension 5 at its large end por- 
the~efor ,  means fol deploving the extension to i t s  extended tion 14, the ring 16 being rigidly attached to  said extenqion 
position and sealing rneans fol p~oviding a fluid-tight seal and genelally perpendiculai to longitudinal axis thereof. 
between .aid extension and sfid nozzle. As best see11 in FIGS. 2 and 3, the extension 5 has a 
These and othei objects wil! become ~pparen t  fiom the *O small end portion 19 that moves into sealing engagement 
qcecification that follows, the appended claims, and the wlth the large end portion 3 of said nozzle, the extension 
drawings, in which. having a generally circular cross sectional area and a 
FTG 1 is a fr?grnencarv liont elevltional view of an frusto-conical shape whereby the snlall end  portion 19 is 
el.it cone arsemblp embodying the present invention and gradually enlarged into said l a ~ g e  end portion 17. The 
-110wii1~ a nnz'zle extenslon irl its collapsed position 45 small end portion 19 of the extension is of about the same 
aro~lnil a nozzle: s ~ z e  as the l a r ~ e  nd portion 3 of the nozzle, the portion 3 
FTG 2 is a fiont elevdtionnl view of the eGt cone as- being provided with an annular projection 20 having a 
sernbiy of FIG. 1 shoviing the extenslon in it? extended shoulder 21. The small end portion 19 of the extension 
posttior,; is provided with an annular rim 25 having a lip 26 for  
FIdj 3 is a wciiri..l?! vicw of a map  c o l v ~ l n  ptovi$~'f 50 locking engagement with the shoulder 21, the lip 25 
to ~uiorr.trtrc?ll\, ileplnv the erieasloa to it? e~tenizeti poci- coming into contact with the shoulder at the extended 
tlnn, fhe  vie:^^ I?eiq_o Ieikeul a l o n ~  the I ~ F P _  3-3 inci~cated postion of the extension whereby the lip 26 and shoul- 
r i r  FIB :, der 21 remaln tn abuttrng relationship to provide a joinr 
FIG i: 3.; J fiagn-neirt?iv enl?l_crd ~e-t;ri.n-1 view shov~  1~1th a self-locking taper. 
i7n  tii- L~ ijlnL: eSi_ it;enBeai tctlx~ccfi :hc chlcfiq,cr, pTd the 55 1 o d h e  best fit~~d-tlght seal between the m a l l  end of 
t1077'b> ??': rile exteirs~on and the large end of the nozzle th? rlnl 25 
TIG C; 11. r rnt cIcv- ' ,nq?Q~ iv of ~ r ?  ?*,it r o w  r'i, .ind the glojectron 211) includlnq the kLlo?r?clei 2% and the 
~ c r i ? ~ d \ t  l a  o p  s v o  1 > ~1~ j c c- B I (  ! [>IC= t,% L J P , ~ O S O ~ ,  ,ri 113 26 are ~tieil-iahiy sv led  by self melilzn~ io form a 
I - T  *e 3 1  
<eaLnp I~icr 28 b y  rF;: C J ~ I - G ~  C ~ ~ I C T  of self-\\elCi nr,i 
-1 ,,.,lL io ?I . . Lon- aclir,,i;;. 60 i-rlai coa11i12q On * I d  lisu prdlriilon, I~ I$ . . -  p, ysicfci,el" c rbodr,oezi cbo~~i i -  111 the dramtqgs, 
C O ~ ~ ~ T  i'rir PI c,." t ~ C I  tl P 771e Ii?? o rrini;-os~~oq rh< nil- 2 x  filere >re four in?p coliimns disl~i'fiuied drr equal distance 
 be^ ci a ~n-I ; j  i ii 1.f an F . r , r " , ~ ~ l  To! i n ~ f  ~ O L L E Z  tha t  c i i l  a p x t  ciicumlerenfi~lly nborrt i h t  i~ozzie 1. However, a 
be au%in,,ircallv :li.plozJ (PP - r ~ 7  e~fev!ed poqit~on nil'el-~ \mall her or a glc.jer nunib.ir, said to eight ,-*I- 
the rlt?l s:,rge i d - l l ? ~  f i o ~  the lgcket The ex fen  umils can also be UIPdl  proIIded tileIJ are equlllJl spaced 
.;I?? ot !lie I ~ O Z L I C  ii~czcnirq 1i.e F. t cone area rat10 of the aroulld the to nrov!de laieril stabilitv narticulallv " .  
rocket nozzk which resu!ts in  an  inc?e:rsecl specific im- \vhen the cone extensiori 5 is being n:oved to its extended 
y~rlse and heztvier ntission payloads. position. 
3,270,8144 
3 4 
As scec ia :'IC 5, a i l  e.ji conc fio.cilibfy i b  pro"i3cd b~ i l ig  disiiibiilu; L ~ ~ ~ L ~ ~ ~ ~ ; .  i  LLII ' Iy  r i ~ ~ t f  I 'BL  L I I U L ~ L  
having tvo a~~ton?alic?~ly dcplayabfe cone extensions in sp, ced ,t&aii s ~ ~ b s t z ~ ~ t r a i l y  ec,uslfy fron- :,~h oihcr. 
ca.;cade ail?ngernsnt An r- if nozzlc 31 silnilar in con- <. All exit so.ic, ,,seimb?y as c'cfiltril sn c3aalr,l 1 iir 
struction to nozzle 1 is provided. Telescoped around the \i~h,cl~ there nre four snap colunlns 
nozzle 31 in a ~etracted position is a first cone extension 5 5. An exlt cone assembly r s  d,\fiiled in claim 1 ir, 
35 sim~lar in construction to extension 5. Connected be- which each snap column has an xcuate cioss seciional 
tween said nozzle 31 and extension 35 are a plurality aica in the collapscc! position of tlle extension and each 
of snap columns 40, each snap colurnn 40 being similar column is bent in the collapsed position lo about one- 
in construction to snap column 10. A second cone ex- half to two-thilds of its length in the extended position. 
tension 45 is provided for further extension of said nozzle, 10 6. An exit cone assembly as defined in claim 1 in which 
said second extension 45 being movable with respect to there is a second extension that is in nested relation 
the first extension 35 in the same manner that extension wit11 the first extension, the second extension being mov- 
35 is movable with the nozzle 31. A pl~lrality of snap able to an extended position eirective to fu~ther  extend 
columns 50 are provided to extend said extension 35, said nozzle and said first extension, and extending means 
such snap columns being spaced equally circumferentially 15 complis;ng a second set of snap colunlns EOI moving the 
around said nozzle 31 and said first extension 35. In the second extension froln a collapsed position to said ex- 
case of each of the snap columns 50, one end thereof is tended position. 
pin-connected to the small end portion of the first exten- 7. An exit cone assen~bly comprising an exit nozzle 
sion 35 and the other end is rigidly attached to the large for the exit end of a chpmber of a rocket, a 
end portion of said second extension 45. 20 retractable exit cone exlension to extend the length of 
The present invention thus provides an improved exit said nozzle, the exit nozzle being telescoped within said 
cone assembly having great advantages resulting from extension in the collapsed position of said extension, ex- 
the use of a simple yet reliable nozzle extending means tending means for moving the extension along the longi- 
for increasing the exit cone area ratio of a rocket nozzle. tudinal axis of said nozzle eft.ective to nlove the exten- The advantages of such an exit cone assembly, in addi- 25 sion to its extended position, said extending means corn- 
tion to the highly desirable increase in the exit cone area prising a snap column connected at one theleof to 
ratio, are its simple construction, its light weight, its en- the extension and the other end to the nozzle, and seal- 
tirely mechanical nature, its automatic extension, its prop- ing means for providing a fluid-tight seal between said 
erty of being capable of extension and retraction many and said nozzle in the extended position. 
times for testing purposes, and its high reliability. 30 8. An exit cone assembly for a rocket comprising an 
It is to be understood that various modifications of the 
,,it nozzle having a generally cross section, said 
present invention may be made which, according to the having a small end and a lalge end por- patent statutes are within the spirit and scope of the in- tion in which said section gradually increases to 
vention. provide a frusto-conical shape, an extension that is mov- What is claimed is: 35 able into engagement with said large end portion of the 1. ~n exit cone assembly comprising an exit nozzle nozzle to extend said nozzle, said extension 
*or a rocket, an exit extension a collapsed having a frusto-conical &ape and a small end portion that position in which it is in a telescoped relationship with about the same size as said large end portion of the 
said nozzle and an extended position effective to extend nozzle and adapted for sealing engagement therewith, the length of the nozzle and increase the cross-sectional 40 and extending means for moving said extension from a 
area thereof, means for moving the extension from its collapsed position to an extended position whereby the 
collapsed position to its extended position comprising a slnall end portion of the extension is in sealing engage- 
plurality of snap columns, operably connected between ment with the end portion of the nozzle, said extending said nozzle and said extension, that are in a bent position in said collapsed position of the extension and are in a 4 j  means comprisinz a plurality of snap columns ~ ~ n n e c t e d  
between said nozzle and said extension, said columns be- straight rigid position in said extended position of the ing distributed around the nozzle and extension. 
2. An exit assembly adapted for use with a spaced apart s~tbstantially equally flom each other, and 
the assembly comprisillg an exit nozzle, an exit con; sealing means for providing a fluid-tight relation between 
extension located radially from said nozzle said extension and said nozzle in the extended position, 
whereby said nozzle is nested with said extension, mov- said sealing means including an annular projection around 
ing means for extending and retractillg said extension the large end portion of the nozzle, and an annular rim 
along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle to move on the small end portion of the extension effective to snugly 
the extension to an extended position and a collapsed posi- fit a~ound said projection on the nozzle to provide a fluid- 
tion, said moving means comprising a plurality of snap 65 tight 
columns operably connected between said nozzle and 9. An exit cone assenlbly for a rocket cornpiising an 
said extension, and sealing for providing a fluid- exit nozzle having a generally circular cross section, said 
tight seal between said extension and said when nozzle having a slnaIl enct portion and a large end par- 
the extension is in its extended position. tion in which said cioss rection gradually increases to pro- 
3. exit cone assembly for a rocket comprls;ng an 00 vide a frusio conical shape, an extension that is nlovable 
exit having a generally circular cross section, into engagement with s a d  iaree end portion of the nozzle 
said nozzle having a end portion and a large end effective to extend said nozzle, said extension having a 
in which said cross gradually increases to fiu~to-conical shape and a small end poriiun thnt is abmt  
proTJide a firisto-conlcal shape, an that is mOv- the smie size z s  said Iaige end corticn of the nozzle and 
into with said large end portion of t ~ I e  03 ad~pted foi scallllo eizp~7~n1~nt  therewith. and extend- 
efieLtive lo said noi.z.e, Taid exlen.ion h ,.+ m " ~  7 ~ ~ 3 ~ 1 5  fer rnoxlr:zp iatd e>ierrsnon f~oiz? a collci~ced 
Ing ,$ frusto-coaical shrrpi: ,Tnd a snlaii end pollloll i h a ~ - i . ~ s i ~ o i ;  r i i  I n  e - c e d e 4  pn:ii: 0;: ~ I S ~ ~ I C ~ I Y  flie  mall 
I r  a!,oul $he same a. liirge end 130rlioIl of ille porkon of the crtcniian is in  scnIirri: engaircarerit with the 
nozrle al?d adapted for e,ngagelr,enl tllelel+itfi, en? poltion of the no-/zles said e v r e n d i n ~  comltris- 
dnd meails fol moving said extension from a in2 a p?arality of snap colirrrns corlnecte? between 
collapsed lo an position whereby the nozzle and said extension, said columns beins distributed 
small end podion of the extension is in sealing engage- ci~curnferenlially aronnd the nozzle arid spaced apart 
ment with the end portion of the nozzle, said extending sub~tantially equally from each other, and sealing means 
means comprising a plurality of snap columns connected for providing a fluid-tight  elation between said exten- 
between said nozzle and said extension, said columns 75 sion and said no7zle in the extended position, said seal- 
3,% 
5 
;ng rne~iils iliclu9inq an annular uiojection around Zhe 
laige end portion of tile no~zle, and an anirular rim on 
the small end portion of the extencion effectwe to snugly 
fit around said projection on the nozzle to provide a Auld- 
'light seal therebetween, the projection having an annulan 
shoulder and the ~ i r n  having an annula1 lip that engages 
said shoulder to lock the same in sealing engagement. 
10. An exit cone assembly as defined in claim 8 in 
which said projection and said rim are rigidly connected 
by self-welding when the extension is moved into the 
extended position, 
78,504 
6 
References Ciked by the E~rrinniner 
IJNITED STATES PA'l ENTS 
2,989,845 6/1961 Wow,ild ___l-ll-lll-I 
5 3,049,877 8/1962 Week? 3,146,669 9/1964 Wolf 
3,133,664 5/1965 Divone ------------- 
3,184,916 5/1965 Ravel ------------- 
MARK NEWMAN, Primary Exarnirler.. 
10 R. D. BLAKESLEE, Assistnrlt Exalniner. 


Automatically deploying nozzle exit cone extension Patent

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server