Propellant management system and method for multiple booster rockets
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorFrank S. Mango
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Propellant management systems and methods are provided for controlling the delivery of liquid propellants in a space launch vehicle utilizing multiple rockets. The propellant management systems and methods may be configured to enable substantial simultaneous depletion of liquid propellants in each of a plurality of active rockets during operation of various booster stages of the launch vehicle.
Claims22
A method for controlling a delivery of at least a first propellant constituent in each of first and second boosters associated with a launch vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
- comparing an amount of said first propellant constituent in said first booster with an amount of said first propellant constituent in said second booster;
- and
- controlling an operation of a first throttle regulator valve of said first booster based at least in part upon said comparing step, wherein said first throttle regulator valve affects a thrust of said first booster.
A method for controlling operation of a launch vehicle, the method comprising:
- monitoring an amount of a first propellant constituent in a first tank associated with a first rocket;
- monitoring an amount of a second propellant constituent in a second tank associated with a second rocket;
- and
- adjusting operation of at least one of said first rocket and said second rocket such that said first propellant constituent and said second propellant constituent are depleted at least at substantially the same time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.