Pressurization method for pressurizing a propellant tank, filling method, tank assembly, filling system, and spacecraft
OwnerChristian HESSELinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pressurization method for increasing a pressure within a propellant tank containing hydrogen peroxide H2O2. The pressurization method includes irradiating at least some of the hydrogen peroxide H2O2 with ultraviolet light emitted by at least one ultraviolet light source. With the UV light, a photolysis is actively provoked which causes the irradiated hydrogen peroxide H2O2 to at least partially decompose into water H2O and gaseous oxygen O2. Also a filling method for at least partially filling a receiving propellant tank with the pressurization method, a tank assembly, a filling system, and a spacecraft.
Claims15
A method for increasing a pressure within a propellant tank containing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the method comprising:
- irradiating at least some of the hydrogen peroxide with ultraviolet light emitted by at least one ultraviolet light source, thereby provoking a photolysis causing an irradiated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to at least partially decompose into water (H2O) and gaseous oxygen (O2).
A tank assembly comprising
- a propellant tank configured to contain hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and
- at least one ultraviolet light source configured to emit ultraviolet light irradiating at least some of the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) respectively contained in the propellant tank, thereby provoking a photolysis thereof into water (H2O) and gaseous oxygen (O2).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.