A flexible bearing assembly includes at least one metal end ring, a flexible bearing core having a plurality of layers of a resilient material between layers of a reinforcement material, and a phenolic composite material between and bonded to each of the at least one metal end ring and the flexible bearing core. A rocket motor assembly includes a chamber configured to contain a propellant and a movable thrust nozzle coupled to the chamber. The movable thrust nozzle includes a phenolic composite material between and bonded to each of a metal end ring and a flexible bearing core. Methods of forming a flexible bearing assembly include bonding a phenolic composite material to at least one metal end ring and bonding a flexible bearing core to the phenolic composite material. The flexible bearing core includes a plurality of layers of a resilient material between layers of a reinforcement material.

A flexible bearing assembly includes at least one metal end ring, a flexible bearing core having a plurality of layers of a resilient material between layers of a reinforcement material, and a phenolic composite material between and bonded to each of the at least one metal end ring and the flexible bearing core. A rocket motor assembly includes a chamber configured to contain a propellant and a movable thrust nozzle coupled to the chamber. The movable thrust nozzle includes a phenolic composite material between and bonded to each of a metal end ring and a flexible bearing core. Methods of forming a flexible bearing assembly include bonding a phenolic composite material to at least one metal end ring and bonding a flexible bearing core to the phenolic composite material. The flexible bearing core includes a plurality of layers of a resilient material between layers of a reinforcement material.

A hydraulic lock for an actuator having a movable shaft includes a lock cylinder having a first end and a second end. A slot is defined through a perimeter of the lock cylinder adjacent to the second end, and a bore is defined through a portion of the lock cylinder at the second end to extend towards the first end. The hydraulic lock includes at least one pawl having a first pawl end and a second pawl end. The first pawl end is releasably coupled to a groove defined in the shaft, and the second pawl end is coupled to the slot. The pawl is movable relative to the slot between a first, locked position in which the first pawl end is coupled to the groove to inhibit movement of the shaft, and a second, unlocked position in which the first pawl end is released from the groove.

The present invention provides a vehicle comprising: a rotor and a stator; at least one planar control surface coupled to the rotor, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate relative to the stator such that, in use, the at least one planar control surface moves from a first position to a second position, and wherein in the first position the planar control surface is controllable to affect substantially only the pitch of the vehicle and in the second position the planar control surface is controllable to affect substantially both of the pitch and yaw of the vehicle, or substantially only the yaw, or in the first position the planar control surface is controllable to affect substantially only the yaw of the vehicle and in the second position the planar control surface is controllable to affect substantially both of the pitch and yaw of the vehicle, or substantially only the pitch of the vehicle. The present invention also provides a method of controlling a vehicle.

Provided is a thrust control apparatus having a plug area variable spike pintle nozzle, in which an aerospike-shaped pintle can be used in a pintle nozzle for precise thrust control. The thrust control apparatus includes a combustion chamber, a motor housing, and an outer pintle nozzle. The motor housing has a driving motor within the combustion chamber. The outer pintle nozzle is moved in a lateral direction by the driving motor.

Provided is a thrust control apparatus having a plug area variable spike pintle nozzle, in which an aerospike-shaped pintle can be used in a pintle nozzle for precise thrust control. The thrust control apparatus includes a combustion chamber, a motor housing, and an outer pintle nozzle. The motor housing has a driving motor within the combustion chamber. The outer pintle nozzle is moved in a lateral direction by the driving motor.

A modulation device for modulating a gas ejection section, the device being for placing in a nozzle upstream from the throat of the nozzle, the modulation device including a plug having a downstream end forming a member for partially obstructing the nozzle throat; and a plug guide having an internal housing in which the upstream end of the plug is present. The upstream end of the plug is suitable for sliding in the internal housing of the plug guide between a first position in which the upstream end of the plug is present in an upstream portion of the internal housing, and a second position in which the upstream end is present in a downstream portion of the internal housing. The upstream end of the plug is held in the first position by at least one retaining element for breaking under the effect of heat.

A modulation device for modulating a gas ejection section, the device being for placing in a nozzle upstream from the throat of the nozzle, the modulation device including a plug having a downstream end forming a member for partially obstructing the nozzle throat; and a plug guide having an internal housing in which the upstream end of the plug is present. The upstream end of the plug is suitable for sliding in the internal housing of the plug guide between a first position in which the upstream end of the plug is present in an upstream portion of the internal housing, and a second position in which the upstream end is present in a downstream portion of the internal housing. The upstream end of the plug is held in the first position by at least one retaining element for breaking under the effect of heat.

A thrust vectoring exhaust nozzle is disclosed. The nozzle includes an inner nozzle for changing a first degree-of-freedom of exhaust gas, an outer nozzle for changing a second degree-of-freedom of exhaust gas, a mounting bracket, a first linear actuator, a second linear actuator, a first double universal joint, and a second double universal joint. The inner nozzle is coupled to the outer nozzle. The inner nozzle is coupled to the mounting bracket. The outer nozzle is coupled to the first and second joint. When the nozzle is mounted, the inner nozzle, the outer nozzle, and the exhaust are coaxially aligned in neutral position. Actuation of the first and second linear actuators drives the first and second double universal joints independently to each other. The independent motion of the first and second double universal joints rotates the inner and outer nozzles simultaneously about the exhaust in a horizontal direction and vertical direction enabling thrust vectoring.

A thruster nozzle (24) includes a throat (28) and a nozzle end portion (30) that is integral with the throat. The nozzle end portion includes an outer wall (32) that has a plurality of circumferentially-disposed nozzle features or connectors (34). A brace (26) may be disposed at least partially around the thruster nozzle and mated with the nozzle features to restrict relative movement between the thruster nozzle and the brace. The brace may be attached with a vehicle body (22) of a vehicle.