Robert Nathan Pate
Engineers in Logan, UT
License number
Utah 343835-2202
Category
Engineer/Land Surveyor
Type
Professional Engineer
Address
Address
Logan, UT
Professional information
Propellant Grain Capable Of Generating Buffered Boundary Layer For Reducing Rocket Nozzle Recession
US Patent:
6226979, May 8, 2001
Filed:
Feb 15, 2000
Appl. No.:
9/503725
Inventors:
Robert A. Pate - Logan UT
Frederick M. Perkins - Brigham City UT
Frederick M. Perkins - Brigham City UT
Assignee:
Cordant Technologies Inc. - Salt Lake City UT
International Classification:
F02K 928
US Classification:
60253
Abstract:
This rocket motor propellant grain is designed to reduce recession of at least the converging portion of a converging/diverging rocket motor nozzle. The propellant grain has an oxidizer-deficient grain portion constructed and arranged in relation to the nozzle to create, upon ignition of the propellant, a boundary layer of oxygen-deficient combustion products that flows through the nozzle throat passage and over an internal surface region of the nozzle. The boundary layer functions to at least substantially isolate the internal surface region of the nozzle from oxidizers contained in the combustion products generated from portions of the propellant grain having higher concentrations of oxygen than the oxidizer-deficient grain portion. As a result, the oxygen-rich portions of the propellant are unable to react with and thereby cause recession of the nozzle internal surface.
Gun Equipped With Down-Bore Liquid Propellant Booster Stage To Increase Projectile Muzzle Velocity
US Patent:
5631436, May 20, 1997
Filed:
Jun 15, 1995
Appl. No.:
8/491052
Inventors:
Steven J. Brown - Pittsfield MA
Robert A. Pate - Logan UT
Robert A. Pate - Logan UT
Assignee:
Martin Marietta Corporation - Bethesda MD
International Classification:
F41F 100
US Classification:
89 8
Abstract:
A booster stage is positioned down-bore from the breech of a gun to contain a charge of liquid propellant that is ignited by the combustion gases of a detonated breech propellant charge trailing the projectile down the gun bore. The detonated liquid propellant increases the bore gas pressure and thus accelerates the projectile to a higher muzzle velocity.