High energy, low temperature gelled bi-propellant formulation
AssigneeCFD Research Corporation
InventorRoberto Di Salvo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is a bi-propellant system comprising a gelled liquid propane (GLP) fuel and a gelled MON-30 (70% N2O4+30% NO) oxidizer. The bi-propellant system is particularly well-suited for outer planet missions greater than 3 AU from the sun and also functions in earth and near earth environments. Additives such as powders of boron, carbon, lithium, and/or aluminum can be added to the fuel component to improve performance or enhance hypergolicity. The gelling agent can be silicon dioxide, clay, carbon, or organic or inorganic polymers. The bi-propellant system may be, but need not be, hypergolic.
Claims13
A bi-propellant formulation consisting of a thixotropic gelled propane fuel and an oxidizer, wherein said gelled propane fuel consists of:
- liquid propane and
- a gellant selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, clay, carbon, fumed silica, an organic polymer, an inorganic polymer, and mixtures thereof.
A bi-propellant formulation consisting of a thixotropic gelled propane fuel and an oxidizer, wherein said gelled propane fuel consists of:
- liquid propane;
- a gellant selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, clay, carbon, fumed silica, an organic polymer, an inorganic polymer, and mixtures thereof;
- and
- an additive selected from the group consisting of monomethyl hydrazine, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carbon, aluminum, boron, and mixtures thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.