Additive manufactured thermoplastic-nanocomposite aluminum hybrid rocket fuel grain and method of manufacturing same

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO RE49775
SERIAL NO

17320916

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Abstract

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A hybrid rocket solid fuel grain having a cylindrical shape and defining a center port is additive manufactured from a compound of thermoplastic fuel and passivated nanocomposite aluminum additive. The fuel grain comprises a stack of fused layers, each layer formed as a plurality of fused abutting concentric circular beaded structures arrayed to define a center port. During operation, an oxidizer is introduced along the center port, with combustion occurring along the exposed port wall. Each circular beaded structure defines geometry that increases the surface area available for combustion. As each layer ablates the next abutting layer, exhibiting a similar geometry, is revealed, undergoes a gas phase change, and ablates. This process repeats and persists until oxidizer flow is terminated or the fuel grain material is exhausted. To safely achieve this construction, a fused deposition additive manufacturing apparatus, modified to shield the nanocomposite material from the atmosphere, is used.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
FIREHAWK AEROSPACE INC1420 CENTURY DRIVE CARROLLTON TX 75006

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Jones, Ronald D Melbourne, US 26 366

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