초록 ▼

The present disclosure generally relates a high strength, low weight, and low shock rocket body separating joint for the purpose of joining rocket bodies, and method of assembly thereof. The solution combines a radax joint, joined by fasteners, with a flattened bladder and inflation system coupled t

The present disclosure generally relates a high strength, low weight, and low shock rocket body separating joint for the purpose of joining rocket bodies, and method of assembly thereof. The solution combines a radax joint, joined by fasteners, with a flattened bladder and inflation system coupled thereto. Upon activation of the inflation system, the bladder is pressurized and exerts a separating force between the members of the radax joint, overcoming the load carrying capability of the fasteners and breaking apart the radax joint.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A rocket body separation system comprising: a radax joint comprising first and second radax members, each radax member coupleable to a rocket stage, and each radax member coupleable to the other radax member;each radax member further comprising a platform extending therefrom such that, when the f

1. A rocket body separation system comprising: a radax joint comprising first and second radax members, each radax member coupleable to a rocket stage, and each radax member coupleable to the other radax member;each radax member further comprising a platform extending therefrom such that, when the first and second radax members are coupled together, a first platform on the first radax member is proximal to a second platform on the second radax member; anda flattened bladder located between the first and second platforms, wherein the flattened bladder is positioned such that inflation thereof applies a separating force to the first and second platforms, separating the first and second radax members of the radax joint. 2. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein the first and second platforms extend around substantially an entire inner perimeter of the first and second radax members, respectively, and wherein the flattened bladder extends around substantially an entire length of the first and second platforms. 3. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second platforms is detachable from the first or second radax member. 4. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein the flattened bladder fits in a groove defined by at least one groove sidewall and a surface of at least one of the platforms. 5. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein the radax joint is round. 6. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein the flattened bladder is configured with a bladder inflation system interface. 7. The rocket body separation system of claim 6, wherein the bladder inflation system interface is configured to extend from the radax joint to allow attaching a bladder inflation system to the bladder inflation system interface after coupling of the first and second radax members to one another and to their respective rocket stages. 8. The rocket body separation system of claim 6, the flattened bladder having a plurality of bladder inflation system interfaces. 9. The rocket body separation system of claim 6, wherein the bladder inflation system interface is configured to couple with a hot gas generator. 10. The rocket body separation system of claim 6, wherein the flattened bladder is configured with a manifold on the bladder at a location defined by the connection between the bladder and the bladder inflation system interface. 11. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, further comprising a Rapid Deflagrating Cord (RDC) or a mild detonation cord inside the flattened bladder. 12. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein the first radax member is a female radax member, and the second radax member is a male radax member, and wherein the first radax member is coupleable to an aft rocket body, and the second radax member is coupleable to a forward rocket body, and wherein the flattened bladder has a bladder inflation system interface extending toward the aft rocket body to allow attaching a bladder inflation system within the aft rocket body, so that, upon separation of the radax joint, the first radax member, the inflation system, and the bladder are configured to separate from the second radax member and the forward rocket body. 13. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein the flattened bladder comprises a flattened middle portion with a compressed height that is less than a compressed height of the flattened outer portions. 14. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein the flattened bladder is characterized in that it comprises at least one first bladder segment with a compressed height less than a compressed height of at least one second bladder segment. 15. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein a sidewall thickness of the flattened bladder is between 0.010-0.080 inches. 16. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein a compressed height of at least one portion of the flattened bladder is 0.050-0.500 inches. 17. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, further comprising one or more pyrotechnic piston actuators located within the radax joint and positioned to increase separation velocity of the first and second radax members upon activation of the one or more pyrotechnic piston actuators. 18. The rocket body separation system of claim 17, wherein the one or more pyrotechnic piston actuators are configured to establish contact between a moving piston element and a piston contact surface prior to activation of the one or more pyrotechnic piston actuators. 19. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the radax members comprises a floating fastener receptacle configured to receive a fastener that couples the radax member to the other radax member, and also allows movement of the fastener with respect to the radax member upon breakage of the fastener. 20. The rocket body separation system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of notched fasteners for coupling the first and second radax members. 21. A method of assembling a rocket, the rocket comprising a first radax member coupled to a determined rocket body and a second radax member coupled to a subsequent rocket stage, each radax member comprising a platform extending therefrom such that, when the first and second radax members are coupled together, a first platform on the first radax member is proximal to a second platform on the second radax member, the method comprising: inserting a flattened bladder between the first and second radax members;coupling the first and second radax members together to join the determined rocket body with the subsequent rocket stage; andafter coupling the first and second radax members together, attaching a bladder inflation system to a bladder inflation system interface extending from the flattened bladder.