Shell tile thermal protection system
First Claim
1. A shell tile adapted for use as a component part of a reusable, externally applied thermal protection system on the skin of aerospace vehicles and the like comprising:
- upper and lower metallic shells for assuming structural loads,each of said upper and said lower shell having a base and side portions,said metallic shells being constructed from materials able to withstand temperatures of up to approximately 2300°
F., said upper shell base being exposed directly to the high temperature environment during vehicle flight;
at least one dimpled, lightweight metallic sheet being attached interiorly within said upper shell adjacent the base thereof, thereby adding stiffness and strength to said upper shell;
each of said upper and said lower shell having a base and side portions,said lower shell base being attached to the vehicle skin and said upper shell being disposed opposite and joined at the side portion thereof to said lower shell, defining an interior cavity therebetween;
insulating means interposed in said interior cavity; and
said insulation means including at least one layer of lightweight high temperature insulation inserted into said upper shell and at least one layer of lightweight intermediate temperature insulation inserted into said lower shell.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reusable, externally applied thermal protection system is disclosed and functions by utilizing shell tile structure 10 which effectively separates its primary functions as an insulator and load absorber. Tile 10 consists of structurally strong upper and lower metallic shells 12,16 manufactured from materials meeting the thermal and structural requirements incident to tile 10 placement on the spacecraft. A lightweight, high temperature package of insulation 26 is utilized in upper shell 12, while a lightweight, low temperature insulation 28 is utilized in lower shell 16. Assembly of tile 10, which is facilitated by self-locking mechanism 20, may occur subsequent to installation of lower shell 16 on the spacecraft structural skin 30.
38 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A shell tile adapted for use as a component part of a reusable, externally applied thermal protection system on the skin of aerospace vehicles and the like comprising:
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upper and lower metallic shells for assuming structural loads, each of said upper and said lower shell having a base and side portions, said metallic shells being constructed from materials able to withstand temperatures of up to approximately 2300°
F., said upper shell base being exposed directly to the high temperature environment during vehicle flight;at least one dimpled, lightweight metallic sheet being attached interiorly within said upper shell adjacent the base thereof, thereby adding stiffness and strength to said upper shell; each of said upper and said lower shell having a base and side portions, said lower shell base being attached to the vehicle skin and said upper shell being disposed opposite and joined at the side portion thereof to said lower shell, defining an interior cavity therebetween; insulating means interposed in said interior cavity; and said insulation means including at least one layer of lightweight high temperature insulation inserted into said upper shell and at least one layer of lightweight intermediate temperature insulation inserted into said lower shell.
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2. A shell tile adapted for use as a component part of a reusable, externally applied thermal protection system on the skin of aerospace vehicles and the like comprising:
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upper and lower metallic shells for assuming structural loads, each of said upper and said lower shell having a base and side portions, said lower shell base being attached to the vehicle skin and said upper shell being disposed opposite and joined at the side portion thereof to said lower shell, defining an interior cavity therebetween; insulating means interposed in said interior cavity; said insulation means including at least one layer of lightweight high temperature insulation inserted into said upper shell and at least one layer of lightweight intermediate temperature insulation inserted into said lower shell; said high temperature insulation comprising a 98.5+% pure silica fiber with a density of 3.5 lb/cu ft; and said intermediate temperature insulation comprising a 98.5+% pure silica fiber with a density of 1.1 lb/cu ft.
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3. A shell tile adapted for use as a component part of a reusable, externally applied thermal protection system on the skin of aerospace vehicles and the like comprising:
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upper and lower metallic shells for assuming structural loads, each of said upper and said lower shell having a base and multiple side portions, said lower shell base being attached to the vehicle skin and said upper shell being disposed opposite and joined at the side portion thereof to said lower shell, defining an interior cavity therebetween; insulating means interposed in said interior cavity; said lower shell being telescopically received by said upper shell and including locking means for joining the shell side portions in telescoped connection; said locking means utilizing a self-locking mechanism including at least one upper tapered wedge being attached to the outer surface of at least two sides of said upper shell, at least one lower tapered wedge being attached to the outer surface of an equal number of sides of said lower shell, said upper shell wedges having a flat upper surface and a tapered edge pointing downwards and said lower wedges having a flat lower surface and a tapered edge pointing upwards; said upper and said lower wedges being disposed opposite one another so as to allow said upper wedge to traverse over said lower wedge as downward pressure is applied to said upper shell causing said upper shell sides to spread, until said upper wedge is completely beyond said lower wedge, thereby permitting the flat surfaces thereof to contact for prohibiting reverse movement of said shells due to the inherent spring force exerted thereon by said upper shell sides; restraining means for prohibiting further downward movement of said upper shell once said tapered wedges are locked in place; said restraining means comprising supporting wedges disposed on the outer surface of said sides of said lower shell, thereby impeding further downward movement of said upper shell.
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4. A shell tile adapted for use as a component part of a reusable, externally applied thermal protection system on the skin of aerospace vehicles and the like comprising:
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upper and lower metallic shells for assuming structural loads, each of said upper and said lower shell having a base and side portions, said lower shell base being attached to the vehicle skin and said upper shell being disposed opposite and joined at the side portion thereof to said lower shell, defining an interior cavity therebetween; insulating means interposed in said interior cavity; connecting means for attaching said lower shell base to the vehicle skin while permitting some relative movement therebetween; said connecting means including a floating nut plate integral with the vehicle skin, and bolting means integral with said lower shell for directly connecting said lower shell to the vehicle skin. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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Specification