Rocket motor propellant segmenting machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for cutting a radial slice or segment of a metal casing-covered cylinder of rocket motor propellant. The machine includes: a channel cutter including a channel cutting tool in combination with a radial lathe; a kerf cutter including a kerf cutting tool in combination with the second radial lathe; a third radial lathe for positioning, tensioning and rotating an upper strand and a lower strand of diamond wire in relation to the cylinder of rocket motor propellant, the third radial lathe acting in combination with pneumatic cylinders, a pressurized air reservoir, at least two support brackets, and the upper strand and the lower strand of diamond wire; and a system support fixture for supporting and positioning the cylinder of rocket motor propellant and the first, second and third radial lathes during cutting of the circumferential channel, the kerf and the radial slice or segment.

The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. A machine for cutting a radial slice or segment of a metal casing-covered cylinder of rocket motor propellant, wherein, firstly, the radial slice or segment is formed by cutting a circumferential channel around the metal casing with a channel cutting tool, the circumferential channel being cut less than fully through the metal casing; then secondly, further cutting the circumferential channel of the metal casing with a kerf cutting tool that cuts fully through the circumferential channel and forms a kerf circumferentially around the cylinder; then thirdly, placing a top strand and a bottom strand of diamond wire horizontally in the kerf on the cylinder parallel to each other and in a top position and a bottom position on the cylinder respectively; then fourthly, horizontally cutting the cylinder with the top strand and the bottom strand at the top and bottom positions respectively of the kerf by increasing tension in the top strand and the bottom strand and decreasing distance between the top strand and bottom strand while the strands continue to be parallel to each other; then fifthly completing the cutting of the cylinder by continuing to increase tension in the top strand and bottom strand and decrease distance between the top strand and bottom strand while rotating the top strand and bottom strand at least 90° in relation to the kerf while the strands still continue to be parallel to each other, wherein the top and bottom strands thus cut the cylinder completely through to the center of the cylinder forming the radial slice or segment, the machine comprising:
 a channel cutter including the channel cutting tool in combination with a first radial lathe;  
 a kerf cutter including the kerf cutting tool in combination with a second radial lathe;  
 a third radial lathe for positioning, tensioning and rotating the upper strand and the lower strand of diamond wire in relation to the cylinder of rocket motor propellant, the third radial lathe acting in combination with pneumatic cylinders, a pressurized air reservoir, at least one support bracket, and the upper strand and the lower strand of diamond wire; and  
 a system support fixture for supporting and positioning the cylinder of rocket motor propellant and the first, second and third radial lathes during cutting of the circumferential channel, the kerf and the radial segment or slice.