초록 ▼

A system for supporting and deploying a rocket motor nozzle extension that is stowed in concentric overlapping relationship with the nozzle. The system includes a plurality of articulated frames having first and second pairs of links pivotally connected, respectively, to the nozzle and to the nozzle

A system for supporting and deploying a rocket motor nozzle extension that is stowed in concentric overlapping relationship with the nozzle. The system includes a plurality of articulated frames having first and second pairs of links pivotally connected, respectively, to the nozzle and to the nozzle extension. Articulation for each frame is provided by a knee hinge connecting the two pairs of links at their outer ends, thereby permitting the pairs of links to swing apart. A retractable cable looped around the knee hinges of each of the frames is capable of forcing the hinges inwardly toward the nozzle and nozzle extension to force the pairs of links of each frame apart and to move the nozzle extension to a deployed position at the end of the nozzle. Retraction of the cable is accomplished by a motor driven spool on which the cable is wound. Shearable locking pins in the knee hinges of the frames lock the system to hold the nozzle extension in its stowed position until the system is activated to deploy the extension.

대표청구항 ▼

In a system for supporting and deploying a nozzle extension on a rocket engine nozzle, said extension being movable from a stowed position in which it is concentrically disposed in overlapping relationship with the nozzle to a deployed position at the exit of the nozzle, the path of movement of said

In a system for supporting and deploying a nozzle extension on a rocket engine nozzle, said extension being movable from a stowed position in which it is concentrically disposed in overlapping relationship with the nozzle to a deployed position at the exit of the nozzle, the path of movement of said extension being along and concentric with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, the improvement comprising: a plurality of articulated frames disposed around and connecting said extension to said nozzle, each of said frames comprising: a first pair of links having their inner ends pivotally connected to said nozzle and having their outer ends rigidly connected together; a second pair of links having their inner ends pivotally connected to said extension and having their outer ends rigidly connected together; and hinge means connecting the outer ends of the first pair of links to the outer ends of the second pair of links; and means for moving the hinge means of each of said frames in a direction toward the axis of the nozzle to spread the first and second pairs of links of each frame with respect to each other to deploy said extension.