Patent GB-656335-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to rocket type propulsion apparatus
IPC: F02K9/58
Filed: 1949-01-03
Abstract: 656.335. Jet propulsion plant. DE HAVILLAND ENGINE CO., Ltd., HALFORD, F. B., CLEAVER, A. V., and DOVE, E. B. Jan. 3, 1949, No. 78. [Class 110(iii)] A rocket jet propulsion unit of the type in which a propellant liquid, e.g. hydrogen peroxide, and a'dissociation catalyst, e.g. calcium or sodium permanganate are forced by compressed air or gas from separate reservoirs into a reaction chamber, has a catalyst air distributer valve which when opened, admits compressed air or gas to the catalyst reservoir and also to a compressed air or gas actuated propellant air distributer valve which is opened thereby to admit compressed air or gas to the propellant reservoir. The invention is described with reference to the unit described in Specification 656,331. In this unit compressed air from storage bottles passes to the reservoirs through a reducing valve, air release valve, check-thrust valve, starting valve and catalyst and propellant air distributer valves. The arrangement and construction of the starting valve and catalyst and propellant air distributer valves for the subject of the present invention. As shown, these three valves are arranged in a common body 24 having two parallel bores 25 and 26, the bore 25 housing the propellant air distributer valve 21 and the other the catalyst air distributer valve 18 and starting valve 17. These valves are shown in the shut-off position in which the catalyst and propellant air distributer valves 18, 21 are held on their seats by light springs and by compressed air from the supply pipe 31. In this position the reservoirs are vented to atmosphere through seats 27 and 56 respectively. If the solenoid 45 of the starting valve 17 is energized, the valve member 48 is raised and shuts off the passage 50 from the atmospheric vent 46 and connects it to the chamber 44 which is supplied with compressed air from the pipe 31 through the passage 47. Compressed air then passes to the pipe 54 to the space 51 above the piston 52 which moves downwards and forces the valve 55 on to its seat 56 and the valve 57 off its seat 58. This allows compressed air to pass from the chamber 44 to the catalyst reservoir through the pipes 41, 42 and shuts off the vent to atmosphere. The pipe 41 also communicates through a pipe 59 with the space above the piston 38 of the propellant air distributer valve so. that as soon as the catalyst reservoir is pressurized the propellant air distributer valve is actuated. The valve 35 is forced on to the seat 27 and shuts off the connection from the propellant reservoir to the atmospheric vent 39 and the valve 30 off its seat 28 to allow compressed air from the chamber 31 to pass to the reservoir. When the solenoid is de-energized the valve member 48 drops, the air supply to the chamber 51 is cut off and the chamber vented to atmosphere through the port 46. The catalyst air distributer valve then rises and vents the catalyst reservoir to atmosphere. Injection of the catalyst then ceases. The space above the piston 38 of the propellant air distributer valve is also vented to atmosphere so that this valve rises and shuts off the compressed air supply to the propellant reservoir and connects this reservoir to the atmospheric vent 39. Specification 656,331 also is referred to.