Pneumatic bag deployment of folded nozzle extensions

摘要

An apparatus and method for deploying and forming a rocket engine nozzle extension 10. A pneumatic bag 18 within the fixed nozzle 14 of a rocket engine is inflated to push and unfold the nozzle extension 10. The nozzle extension 10 is of the type which attaches to the end of the fixed nozzle 14 and is turned inwardly toward the central axis of said fixed nozzle 14 and folded along creases so that prior to it being extended the nozzle extension 10 is in a stowed configuration inside the fixed nozzle 14. After the nozzle extension 10 is completely formed, pneumatic bag 18 may be jettisoned by firing the rocket engine or by a mechanical releasing mechanism.