US 11,879,414 B2
Hybrid rocket oxidizer flow control system including regression rate sensors
Brian Richard Pomeroy, Broomfield, CO (US); Martin Chiaverini, Broomfield, CO (US); and Jesse Morgan Warrick, Broomfield, CO (US)
Assigned to Sierra Space Corporation, Broomfield, CO (US)
Filed by Sierra Space Corporation, Broomfield, CO (US)
Filed on Apr. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/719,229.
Prior Publication US 2023/0323840 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. F02K 9/72 (2006.01); F02K 9/10 (2006.01); F02K 9/26 (2006.01); F02K 9/56 (2006.01); F02K 9/52 (2006.01)
CPC F02K 9/72 (2013.01) [F02K 9/10 (2013.01); F02K 9/26 (2013.01); F02K 9/52 (2013.01); F02K 9/56 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vortex hybrid motor system, comprising:
a material regression sensor positioned along a fuel core of a vortex hybrid motor of the vortex hybrid motor system, the material regression sensor configured to sense data associated with the fuel core;
at least one processor communicatively coupled to the material regression sensor; and
at least one memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, result in operations comprising:
receiving, using the at least one processor, the sensed data from the material regression sensor;
determining, using the at least one processor and based on the sensed data, at least one characteristic of the fuel core; and
controlling, based on the determined at least one characteristic of the fuel core, a flow rate of an oxidizer to a combustion zone within the vortex hybrid motor;
wherein the at least one characteristic includes a surface area of a surface of the fuel core.