US 11,719,193 B2
Hybrid metal composite structures, rocket motors including hybrid metal composite structures, and related methods
Benjamin W. C. Garcia, Tremonton, UT (US); Brian Christensen, Willard, UT (US); David R. Nelson, Logan, UT (US); and Braden Day, Nibley, UT (US)
Assigned to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed by Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US)
Filed on May 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/330,040.
Application 17/330,040 is a continuation of application No. 15/391,016, filed on Dec. 27, 2016, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2021/0340933 A1, Nov. 4, 2021
Int. Cl. F02K 9/34 (2006.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01); F02K 9/97 (2006.01); B32B 3/26 (2006.01); B32B 3/28 (2006.01); B32B 3/30 (2006.01); B32B 5/02 (2006.01); B32B 7/04 (2019.01); B32B 5/04 (2006.01); B32B 5/12 (2006.01); B32B 5/06 (2006.01); B32B 5/10 (2006.01); B32B 15/14 (2006.01); B32B 15/04 (2006.01)
CPC F02K 9/34 (2013.01) [B32B 3/26 (2013.01); B32B 3/263 (2013.01); B32B 3/266 (2013.01); B32B 3/28 (2013.01); B32B 3/30 (2013.01); B32B 5/02 (2013.01); B32B 5/022 (2013.01); B32B 5/024 (2013.01); B32B 5/026 (2013.01); B32B 5/028 (2013.01); B32B 5/04 (2013.01); B32B 5/06 (2013.01); B32B 5/10 (2013.01); B32B 5/12 (2013.01); B32B 7/04 (2013.01); B32B 15/04 (2013.01); B32B 15/14 (2013.01); B64G 1/403 (2013.01); F02K 9/97 (2013.01); F05D 2300/6032 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hybrid metal composite (HMC) structure, comprising stacked tiers comprising:
first tiers comprising a fiber composite material, within each of the first tiers the fiber composite material comprising:
a fiber platform comprising a single, wound tow comprising fibers substantially aligned with one another in a single direction; and
matrix material surrounding the fiber platform; and
second tiers directly adjacent to and longitudinally alternating with the first tiers, the second tiers comprising metallic structures and additional fiber composite material directly adjacent to first lateral sides and second, opposing lateral sides of the metallic structures, the first tiers substantially devoid of additional metallic structures, and the metallic structures physically separated from longitudinally neighboring metallic structures by the fiber composite material along an entirety of the metallic structures, the first lateral sides of each of the metallic structures laterally offset from corresponding first lateral sides of a longitudinally neighboring one of the metallic structures most longitudinally proximate thereto, and the second, opposing lateral sides of the metallic structures substantially laterally aligned with one another through a thickness of the HMC structure.