IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,973,773
Granted Patent B2
US 6,973,773 · App. 10/100,780 · Granted Dec 13, 2005

Propellant supply device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,973,773
App. No.
10/100,780
Granted
Dec 13, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A propellant supply device ( 10 ) is provided for a vehicle ( 11 ) having a main propulsion motor ( 12 ) and having an attitude control system ( 11 ) including a plurality of thrusters ( 14 A, 14 B, 14 C, . . . , 14 F). The improved device comprises: a pressure vessel ( 15 ); first and second movable walls ( 20, 21 ) operatively arranged within the pressure vessel and dividing the interior space therewithin into three separate sealed chambers ( 22, 23, 24 ) from each of which fluid may be supplied; a first fluid (e.g., a first bipropellant) in one of the chambers; a second fluid (e.g., a second bipropellant) in a second of the chambers; and a third fluid (e.g., ammonia) in a third of the chambers, the third fluid being a volatile liquid having a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, and wherein all three chambers are pressurized to the vapor pressure of the third fluid.

Claims (18)

1. A propellant supply device for a vehicle having a main propulsion motor and having an attitude control system including a plurality of thrusters, comprising:

a pressure vessel;

first and second movable walls operatively arranged within said pressure vessel and dividing the interior space therewithin into three separate chambers from each of which fluid may be supplied;

a first fluid in one of said chambers;

a second fluid in a second of said chambers; and

a third fluid in a third of said chambers, said third fluid being a volatile liquid having a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, and wherein all three chambers are pressurized to the vapor pressure of said third fluid.

2. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third chamber is between said movable walls.

3. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second fluids are bipropellants that are adapted to be supplied to said main propulsion motor.

4. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the ratio of fluids discharged from said first and second chambers is substantially constant.

5. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third fluid is ammonia.

6. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third fluid is arranged to communicate with said thrusters.

7. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movable walls have the same effective spring rate.

8. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movable walls have the same effective area.

9. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 1 wherein each movable wall is a bellows.

10. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movable walls are so configured and arranged that said first and second fluid are pressurized equally by said third fluid.

11. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said propellant supply device is so configured and arranged that its center of gravity remains substantially fixed independently of the volumes of said fluids.

12. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second fluids are the same.

13. A propellant supply device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said first and second fluids are a monopropellant.