William B Colburn

US Patent:

6895743, May 24, 2005

Filed:

Sep 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/655723

Inventors:

Terry McElheran - Cave Creek AZ, US
William Colburn - Hollister CA, US

International Classification:

F02K009/64

US Classification:

60258, 60265, 60 39827

Abstract:

The present invention provides a transpiration cooled rocket motor which operates at low combustion pressures, inherently provides stabilized combustion, and operates over a desired range of L-star. In a preferred embodiment the inventive transpiration cooled rocket motor includes: a housing; a porous injector sleeve; a propellant injector; and a nozzle. Preferably the injector sleeve lines the inside walls of the housing such that the inside volume of the sleeve forms the chamber for the motor. Liquid fuel passes inwardly through the pores of the injector sleeve and is injected from the sleeve into the chamber, thus cooling the walls of the rocket motor.