# US 2014/0196790 A1 · Antivortex device for multi-outlet liquid reservoir > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196790 A1 - Document ID: US20140196790A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/741,526 - Filed: 2013-01-15 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-15 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Gary David Grayson; Stephen Michael Addison - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196790A1 ## CPC - B64G 1/402: {Propellant tanks; Feeding propellants} - F02K 9/605: {Reservoirs} - Y10T 137/0318: Processes - Y10T 137/86348: Tank with internally extending flow guide, pipe or conduit - B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - F02K: JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (features of jet-propulsion plants common to gas-turbine plants, air intakes or fuel supply control of air-breathing jet-propulsion plants F02C7/00, F02C9/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A liquid reservoir with a sump includes at least two outlet ports in fluid communication with a fluid conduit. An anti-vortex device includes a first plate extending across the at least two outlet ports and a second plate coupled to the first plate and extending substantially perpendicular to the first plate. The anti-vortex device is configured to disrupt formation of a vortex formed by liquid passing from the reservoir through said outlet ports. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid reservoir, comprising: a sump including at least two outlet ports in fluid communication with a fluid conduit; an anti-vortex device including a first plate extending across the at least two outlet ports and a second plate coupled to the first plate and extending substantially perpendicular to the first plate; wherein the anti-vortex device is configured to disrupt formation of a vortex formed by liquid passing from the reservoir through said outlet ports. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The liquid reservoir according to claim 1, wherein the liquid reservoir is a tank for storing liquid propellant for a rocket. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The liquid reservoir according to claim 1, further comprising a top plate coupled to each of the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The liquid reservoir according to claim 1, wherein the first plate is positioned over a central axis of each of the outlet ports. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The liquid reservoir according to claim 1, wherein each of the first plate and the second plate include a plurality of perforations such that each of the first plate and the second plate have a porosity of about 20% to about 40%. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The liquid reservoir according to claim 1, wherein the second plate is comprised of at least two segments that are each coupled to the first plate by at least one stringer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The liquid reservoir according to claim 1, further comprising two transverse plates, each of the transverse plates oriented substantially perpendicular to the first plate and each being positioned over one of the outlet ports. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The liquid reservoir according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plate and the second plate are coupled to a post for supporting an annular slosh baffle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The liquid reservoir according to claim 1, further comprising at least one liquid level sensor for determining a quantity of liquid in the reservoir. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The liquid reservoir according to claim 1, further comprising a support ring coupled to each of the first plate and the second plate, the support ring configured to increase the rigidity of the anti-vortex device. ### Claim 11 An anti-vortex device for suppressing the formation of a vortex created by a liquid flowing through at least two outlet ports, the device comprising: a first plate extending across each of the outlet ports, and substantially aligned with a central axis of each outlet port, a second plate extending substantially perpendicular to the first plate, a top plate coupled to each of the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The anti-vortex device according to claim 11, wherein the first plate includes a first cut-out substantially centered over one of the outlet ports and a second cut-out substantially centered another of the outlet ports. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The anti-vortex device according to claim 11, wherein each of the first plate and the second plate are perforated to a porosity of about 20% to about 40%. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The anti-vortex device according to claim 11, further comprising a first transverse plate oriented substantially perpendicular to the first plate and extending across one of the outlet ports and a second transverse plate oriented substantially perpendicular to the first plate and extending across another of the outlet ports. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The anti-vortex device according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of stringers coupled to the first plate and the second plate, the stringers configured to increase the rigidity of the anti-vortex device. ### Claim 16 A method of suppressing a vortex from being formed in a liquid exiting at least two outlet ports of a liquid reservoir, the method comprising: positioning an anti-vortex device over the outlet ports, the anti-vortex device including a first plate and a second plate substantially perpendicular to the first plate, wherein the anti-vortex device is positioned such that the first plate extends across each of the outlet ports, and is substantially aligned with a central axis of each outlet port. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, further comprising coupling a top plate to the first plate and the second plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, further comprising coupling a plurality of stringers to the first plate and the second plate to increase the rigidity of the anti-vortex device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, further comprising coupling a liquid level sensor to the anti-vortex device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method according to claim 16, further comprising positioning the first plate in the reservoirs such that a lower surface of the first plate corresponds to a contour of a sump of the liquid reservoir.