US 11,987,395 B2
Thrusting rails for launch vehicles, and associated systems and methods
Scott D. Patty, Kent, WA (US); Park O. Cover, Jr., Orting, WA (US); Mathew John Theis, Seattle, WA (US); and Robert E. McMullen, Redmond, WA (US)
Assigned to Blue Origin, LLC, Kent, WA (US)
Filed by Blue Origin, LLC, Kent, WA (US)
Filed on Jun. 7, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/341,256.
Prior Publication US 2022/0388695 A1, Dec. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. B64G 1/64 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/645 (2013.01) 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A thrusting rail assembly comprising:
a first rail housing portion having a first wall, a second wall, and a cavity between the first wall and the second wall;
a second rail housing portion having a projection positioned at least partially within the cavity;
a fastener connecting the first rail housing portion to the second rail housing portion;
a bellows positioned within the cavity and clamped within a first side of a manifold by a ring that is associated with one end of the bellows, wherein the ring is contacted against a seal ring to provide a seal at a second side of the manifold;
an elongated tube positioned within the bellows, the elongated tube including a vent opening in a lateral wall of the elongated tube;
a shield positioned between the vent opening at the bellows; and
a sleeve positioned within the elongated tube, the sleeve constructed from a fibrous material and positioned to retain an ordnance within the elongated tube.