John E Murdock

US Patent:

6830793, Dec 14, 2004

Filed:

Mar 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/103333

Inventors:

Gary F Hawkins - Torrance CA
John W. Murdock - Palos Verdes Estates CA

Assignee:

The Aerospace Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

B32B 108

US Classification:

428 369, 428166, 428178, 248562, 248636, 56555, 5654, 36 28, 36 29, 267113, 160185, 160186, 160187, 160188

Abstract:

A composite material is provided that includes an array of machine elements disposed within a matrix material. Each machine element includes a cross-section defining an internal space that is filled with a viscous fluid. Preferably, the machine elements are provided in complementary pairs of tubular members, with the internal spaces of the tubular members communicating with one another. When subjected to a predetermined force, the cross-sections of the tubular members change shape, changing the volume of the internal spaces, and causing fluid to flow into or out of the internal spaces. Preferably, under the predetermined force, one tubular member increases in volume and the other tubular member simultaneously decreases in volume, thereby causing fluid to flow between the tubular elements to dissipate energy from the predetermined force.

US Patent:

7815146, Oct 19, 2010

Filed:

Aug 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/942238

Inventors:

Gary F. Hawkins - Torrance CA, US
John W. Murdock - Palos Verdes Estates CA, US

Assignee:

The Aerospace Corporation - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

B64F 1/04
F02K 9/00

US Classification:

244 63, 2441711, 2441722, 60242, 60233, 60255, 60251

Abstract:

A fixed sized bell rocket nozzle is lined with a layer of combustible material that is ignited during launch ignition and burns to outgas into the rocket exhaust for spatially variably confining the exhaust and perfecting an effective variably sized altitude compensating exhaust nozzle that maximizes lift during the launch of a spacecraft into orbit.