Propulsion

Patents tagged Propulsion

Mar 10, 2026

US12571618 - Launch initiated low-drag seeker window cover

A guided vehicle that includes a body, a propulsion system operably engaged inside of the body, a housing operably engaged with the body and encasing a guidance device inside of the housing, a viewing window of the guidance device, and a cover moveably engaged with the housing, wherein the cover is moveable between a pre-flight configuration and a flight configuration. In the pre-flight configuration, the cover covers the viewing window. In the flight configuration, the cover is configured to expose the viewing window in the flight configuration in response to an impulse of acceleration generated by a launch of the guided vehicle.

Apr 22, 2025

US12281865 - Mechanical velocity enhancement assembly

A supplemental propulsion system for a weapon used to fire a projectile includes a barrel and chamber to hold a projectile round. A translating pressure tank surrounds a portion of the barrel, and the pressure tank is configured to translate along the barrel. A recoil spring assembly includes a spring and a pressure plate downstream of the chamber for holding the projectile round. The pressure tank is coupled to the pressure plate such that the spring is configured to stretch upon firing of the projectile and translate the pressure tank along a length of the barrel. The barrel includes a first port configured to selectively align with a first tank port during translation, for the discharge of pressurized gas from the pressure tank. The discharge of pressurized gas occurs rearward of the projectile as it passes through the barrel after firing.