Liquid level equalization for propellant tanks
AssigneeBlue Origin, LLC
InventorsClaire Jocelyn Atkinson, John Michael Dixon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for equalizing fluid levels within a vent line and a propellant tank in which the vent line is located are discussed herein. The vent line includes a vent valve and an equalization valve. The vent valve can be included in a vent duct of the vent line. The equalization valve is included in a bottom wall (i.e., a low point) of the vent duct of the vent line. A controller is also included in the system to instruct a vent valve and the equalization valve to open and close.
Claims19
A method for equalizing fluid levels of a propellant tank that stores a liquid propellant for a rocket engine of a rocket, the propellant tank having a vent line with a vent valve and an equalization valve, the method comprising:
- after filling the propellant tank with the liquid propellant to a level above a height of the equalization valve within the propellant tank before launch of the rocket:
- using one or more controllers to:
- determine the level of the liquid propellant relative the height of the equalization valve within the propellant tank after the launch of the rocket;
- in response to the level of the liquid propellant falling below the level of the equalization valve, open and close the vent valve to re-duce pressure of the propellant tank;
- and
- in response to the level of the liquid propellant falling below the equalization valve during or after the launch of the rocket, close the equalization valve.
A vent line, comprising:
- a vent valve having a vent pressure range;
- an equalization valve structured to cause a liquid propellant to be released from the vent line into a propellant tank;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- determine when a level of the liquid propellant within the propellant tank is below a height of the equalization valve within the propellant tank, and
- when the level of the liquid propellant falls below the equalization valve, send an instruction to:
- cause the vent valve to open from a closed position and to close from an open position, the opening and closing to reduce pressure of the propellant tank, and
- cause the equalization valve to close from an open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.