Rocket motor tube with safety features

{
  "publication_number": "US8578855B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Rocket motor tube with safety features",
  "abstract": "A vessel, such as a rocket motor tube, comprised of an insert, and a joint that allows the insert to decouple from the vessel to relieve pressure when subjected to excessive temperatures and/or a predetermined temperature or temperature range.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A decoupling assembly for use in munitions, the decoupling assembly comprising: a motor tube having an open end, the motor tube containing a temperature-sensitive combustible material; a mount adapted to close and seal open end of the motor tube; and a joint between the motor tube and the mount, the joint being configured and dimensioned to allow the mount to decouple from the motor tube, wherein at least one of the motor tube and the mount comprises one or more annular rings formed circumferentially on a surface thereof to define a void, wherein the joint comprises a joint material disposed within the void defined by the one or more annular rings, the joint material being selected so as to be injectable into and set within the void defined by the one or more annular rings and so dint, it softens when exposed to a predetermined temperature, wherein the motor tube comprises one or more injection ports in communication with the one or more annular rings, the one or more injection ports being configured to allow injection of the joint material into the void defined by the one or more annular rings, and wherein the at least one of the motor tube and the mount further comprises one or more axially aligned grooves formed on the same surface or surfaces as and intersecting with the one or more annular rings.",
    "2. The decoupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the motor tube is adapted to internally receive the mount.",
    "3. The decoupling assembly of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the one or more annular rings are formed on an interior surface of the motor tube.",
    "4. The decoupling assembly of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the one or more annular rings are formed on an exterior surface of the mount.",
    "5. The decoupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a seat adapted to receive a seal.",
    "6. The decoupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the motor tube and the mount each have one or more annular rings formed circumferentially on a surface thereof, and wherein each of the one or more rings on the motor tube is aligned with a corresponding one of the one or more rings on the mount.",
    "7. The decoupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the joint material comprises a polymer having a reduced mechanical strength when exposed to the predetermined temperature.",
    "8. The decoupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the joint material comprises a high density polymer reinforced with glass fiber.",
    "9. The decoupling assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more annular rings is a plurality of rings and the one or more axially aligned grooves intersects each of the plurality of rings to provide a fluid path between the rings."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present embodiments relate generally to pressure vessels and, more particularly, to rocket motor tubes, having features that decouple to vent pressure when the vessel is subjected to excessive temperatures.\n\nSome pressure vessels, including munitions, may be inherently dangerous. Due to those potential inherent dangers, and the grave effects an accident or unplanned incident involving munitions can have, the U.S. Government has promulgated insensitive munitions standards (“IM Standards”) to ensure that munitions operate safely and predictably. These standards require munitions - ammunition, rockets, missiles, explosives, or their shipping containers - to reliably fulfill performance, readiness, and operational requirements on demand, while minimizing the hazards of inadvertent initiation triggered by excessive temperature. Rockets are an example of munitions that must comply with U.S. Government IM Standards. A rocket motor is a pressure vessel that is propelled by a rearward discharge of gas generated by the combustion of propellant inside the motor. A rocket motor typically includes a casing or motor tube, frequently called a combustion chamber, partially filled with combustible material, and an exhaust nozzle. The combustible material that fuels the rocket is typically a single liquid or solid propellant, but can be a combination of combustible materials and oxidizers.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16L 35/00",
    "F16B 2200/63",
    "F16L 13/06",
    "F42B 15/36"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F42B 15/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "DIEHL MATTHEW D",
    "SCHNECK ERIC MICHAEL",
    "BOGAN GREGORY NORMAN",
    "GEN DYNAMICS ARMAMENT & TECH"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "DIEHL MATTHEW D",
    "SCHNECK ERIC MICHAEL",
    "BOGAN GREGORY NORMAN"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2009-08-21",
  "publication_date": "2013-11-12",
  "grant_date": "2013-11-12",
  "priority_date": "2009-08-21",
  "application_number": "US-54549409-A",
  "family_id": "43605498",
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}