Mar 3, 2026

US12566055 - Roll decoupling joint

A roll decoupling joint is provided for connecting a rocket motor to a payload. The joint includes a payload adapter, a motor sleeve, a rotational separator and a fastener. The adapter includes an annular socket and a cylindrical core. The socket is bounded by an opening lip and a bulkhead. The payload inserts into the socket through the lip. The core extends axially from the bulkhead opposite the lip. The sleeve is annularly axi-symmetric and inserts into the motor. This sleeve is disposed adjacent to the adapter and around the core supported by the separator. The fastener secures the core to the separator. In various embodiments, the separator constitutes a pair of bearings, and the fastener is a threaded bolt.

Assignee: United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Navy
Inventors: Joshua Michael Bell, John Watt Fraysse, Jr., Robert Isaac Ponder
Filing date: 2024-08-13

The patent describes a roll decoupling joint designed to connect a rocket motor to a payload, featuring a payload adapter with an annular socket and a cylindrical core, along with an axisymmetric motor sleeve and a rotational separator. The joint is secured by a fastener and includes grooves for torque application between the bulkhead and sleeve.

Claim 1

1 . A roll decoupling joint for connecting a rocket motor to a payload, said joint comprising: a payload adapter having an annular socket and a cylindrical core, said socket bounded by an opening lip and a bulkhead, said core extending axially from said bulkhead, the payload inserting into said socket through said lip; an axisymmetric motor sleeve being disposed axially adjacent to said socket and around said core; a rotational separator that supports said sleeve around said core; and a fastener that secures said core to said separator, wherein said sleeve inserts into the motor, and said bulkhead and said sleeve share a pair of parallel grooves for torque application. a payload adapter having an annular socket and a cylindrical core, said socket bounded by an opening lip and a bulkhead, said core extending axially from said bulkhead, the payload inserting into said socket through said lip; an axisymmetric motor sleeve being disposed axially adjacent to said socket and around said core; a rotational separator that supports said sleeve around said core; and a fastener that secures said core to said separator, wherein said sleeve inserts into the motor, and said bulkhead and said sleeve share a pair of parallel grooves for torque application.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12566055

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12566055