Vapor retention device
AssigneeUnited Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
InventorsChristopher L. Bridges, Bernard Friedrich Kutter, Frank C. Zegler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a vapor retention device and methods of using a vapor retention device to manage propellant for upper stage space vehicles. The use of a vapor retention device, in combination with controlled acceleration, drives liquid propellant from a propellant supply line communicating with an upper stage main engine back into a propellant tank and establishes an insulating liquid/gas propellant interface that prevents the exchange of gaseous propellant across the interface.
Claims20
A method for controlling propellant in an upper stage vehicle, comprising:
- providing the upper stage vehicle having a propellant tank containing a cryogenic propellant in a liquid phase, a supply line extending from a port in the propellant tank to a propellant-burning engine, wherein the supply line contains the cryogenic propellant in a gas phase;
- covering the port with a vapor retention device that has a plurality of openings configured to permit the cryogenic propellant in both the liquid phase and the gas phase to pass in a direction toward the supply line, the vapor retention device having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and wherein the second surface is closer to the port;
- accelerating the upper stage vehicle at no more than 10−3 G during a coast state;
- and
- maintaining an interface between gas-phase and liquid-phase propellant at the plurality of openings and preventing gas-phase propellant from passing through the vapor retention device from the second side to the first side.
A method for controlling propellant in an upper stage vehicle, comprising:
- providing the upper stage vehicle having a propellant tank containing a cryogenic liquid propellant, a port having a first side in communication with the interior of the propellant tank and a second opposite side in communication with a supply line extending from the second side of the port to an engine, wherein the supply line contains a gaseous propellant;
- covering at least the first or second side of the port with a vapor retention device that has a plurality of holes;
- forming an interface between the liquid and gaseous propellant across the plurality of holes;
- accelerating the upper stage vehicle at a rate to maintain a surface tension of the liquid propellant on the vapor retention device and to prevent gaseous propellant from passing the vapor retention device;
- supplying the cryogenic liquid propellant to the engine using the supply line;
- consuming the cryogenic liquid propellant by operating the engine;
- following ceasing operation of the engine, changing the phase of a first portion of the cryogenic liquid propellant in the supply line to a gaseous phase;
- forcing a second portion of the liquid cryogenic propellant remaining in the supply line move into the propellant tank;
- and
- forming an insulation barrier comprising gaseous phase propellant in the supply line between the engine and the vapor retention device.
A method for controlling propellant in an upper stage vehicle, comprising:
- providing the upper stage vehicle having a propellant tank containing a cryogenic liquid propellant, a port having a first side in communication with the interior of the propellant tank and a second opposite side in communication with a supply line extending from the second side of the port to an engine, wherein the supply line contains a gaseous propellant;
- covering at least the first or second side of the port with a vapor retention device that has a plurality of holes, wherein each hole of the plurality of holes is defined by a side wall extending between a first surface and a second surface of the vapor retention device, and wherein a transition between the first surface and the side wall of each hole is an angle of approximately 90 degrees and a transition between the second surface and the side wall is rounded;
- forming an interface between the liquid and gaseous propellant across the plurality of holes;
- and
- accelerating the upper stage vehicle at a rate to maintain a surface tension of the liquid propellant on the vapor retention device and to prevent gaseous propellant from passing the vapor retention device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.