Rocket nozzle snubber

摘要

Stress from the ignition of a rocket is transferred from the rocket nozzle to the actuators and flexible joint seal which move the nozzle causing potential failure of the actuators. This stress can be relieved by using a snubber in the form of a flexible hollow conical toroidal bladder filled with incompressible fluid fitted snugly between the nozzle and the main body of the rocket. Such a snubber transfers the stress to the main body of the rocket through the snubber while deforming to allow the rocket nozzle to slew in response to control commands.