Aug 18, 2026

US12710243 - Ram accelerator sweeper baffles

A ram accelerator for accelerating a projectile is provided. The ram accelerator includes a first tube body having a first projectile bore, a second tube body having a second projectile bore axially aligned with the first projectile bore, and a baffle positioned between and operably coupling the first and second tube bodies. The baffle can have an annular baffle wall defining a central bore that is axially aligned with the first and second projectile bores, and a chamber arranged adjacent to the annular baffle wall. The chamber can extend radially outward from the central bore and the annular baffle wall can be configured to sweep a combustion wave relative to the projectile to prevent the combustion wave from traveling ahead of the projectile, leading to an unstart mechanism of the projectile in the ram accelerator.

Assignee: University of Washington
Inventors: Carl Thomas Knowlen, Andrew Jason Higgins, Brian Leege
Filing date: 2023-03-10

ram acceleratorprojectilebafflecombustion wave

The patent describes a ram accelerator designed to enhance projectile acceleration by utilizing a baffle that manages combustion waves. This baffle features an annular wall and chambers that prevent the combustion wave from advancing ahead of the projectile, ensuring efficient operation of the accelerator.

Claim 1

1 . A ram accelerator for accelerating a projectile, the ram accelerator comprising: a first tube body having a first projectile bore; a second tube body having a second projectile bore axially aligned with the first projectile bore; and a baffle positioned between and operably coupling the first and second tube bodies, the baffle having an annular baffle wall defining a central bore that is axially aligned with the first and second projectile bores, and a first chamber and a second chamber arranged adjacent to the annular baffle wall, wherein the first and second chambers extend radially outward from the central bore, wherein the second chamber is separated from the first chamber by a radially inwardly projecting fin, wherein the annular baffle wall is configured to sweep a combustion wave relative to the projectile to prevent the combustion wave from traveling ahead of the projectile. a first tube body having a first projectile bore; a second tube body having a second projectile bore axially aligned with the first projectile bore; and a baffle positioned between and operably coupling the first and second tube bodies, the baffle having an annular baffle wall defining a central bore that is axially aligned with the first and second projectile bores, and a first chamber and a second chamber arranged adjacent to the annular baffle wall, wherein the first and second chambers extend radially outward from the central bore, wherein the second chamber is separated from the first chamber by a radially inwardly projecting fin, wherein the annular baffle wall is configured to sweep a combustion wave relative to the projectile to prevent the combustion wave from traveling ahead of the projectile.

Google Patents

https://patents.google.com/patent/US12710243

USPTO PDF

https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/12710243