ROCKET-POWERED SIGNALING DEVICE

• US 3,749,019 A
• Filed: 09/08/1971
• Issued: 07/31/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Earl A. Hancock, James R. Macpherson
• Original Assignee: Earl A. Hancock, James R. Macpherson
• Inventors: MacPherson, James R., Hancock, Earl A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stahl, Robert F.
• Application Number:
  US05/178,580
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 102/49.4,34.1-34.5,35.6,37.6
• US Class Current: 102/337
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/50 by dispersion
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 4/12 Parachute or flare separation

Abstract

In the embodiments of the subject device shown and described herein, a rocket casing is disclosed which is designed to separate during operation into two sections. The point of separation is predetermined. At separation, the device changes over from a rocket to a flare, smoke marker, or other type of signaling means. The grain functions as a propellant initially and then as the signaling means following casing separation.

Claims

1. A rocket-powered signaling device comprising:

a. a casing having fore and aft ends;

b. a propellant grain supported in said casing;

1. said grain being a gas generating thrust source in an initial phase of operation and then a signal flare source in a subsequent phase of operation;

c. at least one nozzle positioned at the aft end of said casing for venting gases generated during combustion of said grain in said initial phase to produce thrust for said device;

d. said casing having means to separate said casing into fore and aft sections at a predetermined position between its fore and aft ends, said casing separation means functioning during said subsequent phase of operation and in response to the grain combustion temeprature within said casing so that said one nozzle in said aft section is separated from the fore section containing the remaining unconsumed grain; and

e. a drag device for retarding the descent to earth of the fore section of said casing housing said unconsumed grain following separation, as said grain by continued combustion functions as a signal source during the subsequent phase of operation.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a. means for confining said drag device against deployment until separation of said casing sections occurs.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

a. said aft section of said casing is internally lined with insulation, b. said predetermined position being forward of said insulated aft section at which position burning or melting of said casing in response to combustion temperature occurs, whereby said aft section and said one nozzle are separated from said fore section containing the unconsumed grain.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

a. said casing is formed with a weakened zone around its periphery at said predetermined position, b. said casing being separable at this weakened zone by failure of the casing in response to combustion temperature, whereby said aft section and said one nozzle are separated from said fore section containing the unconsumed grain.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

a. said casing is constructed as separate fore and aft sections, the juncture of said two sections defining said predetermined position;

b. said aft section being formed of a flame-resistant material;

c. said fore section being formed of a material which will burn or melt in response to combustion temperature.

6. A device as claimed in claIm 2 wherein said grain is composed of a plurality of grain sections bonded together and supported in said casing.

7. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

a. said drag device is a rotor attached to the fore end of said casing, and comprising;

8. A rocket-powered signaling device comprising:

a. an elongated, enclosed cylindrical casing having fore and aft ends;

b. a plurality of nozzles formed at the aft end of said casing;

c. a drag device attached to the fore end of said casing;

d. a solid propellant grain supported within said casing,

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising:

a. an insulator lining the interior of the aft section of said casing to prevent the burn-through of said casing in said aft section.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein:

a. said drag device is a parachute normally held in a folded position by the action of said elongated member.