TURBOPUMP
A feed method for feeding reaction engines including off-loading a secondary flow of a first propellant downstream from a first pump but upstream from a first turbine that is driven by expansion of the first propellant and that drives at least the first pump. The off-loading is controlled in such a manner as to achieve equilibrium between power generated by the first turbine and power consumed by the first pump, thereby stopping a rise in speed of the first turbine and the first pump at a predetermined speed lower than a nominal speed.
1 - 10 . (canceled)
11 : A feed method for feeding at least one combustion chamber with at least a first propellant, the method comprising:
pumping a main flow and a secondary flow of the first propellant by a first pump;
heating at least the main flow of the first propellant in a heat exchanger downstream from the first pump;
expanding at least a portion of the main flow of the first propellant, after the heating, in a first turbine driving the first pump;
injecting the main flow of the first propellant downstream from the first turbine into the at least one combustion chamber; and
off-loading the secondary flow of the first propellant downstream from the first pump but upstream from the first turbine, the off-loading being controlled to achieve equilibrium between power generated by the first turbine and power consumed by the first pump, thereby stopping a rise in speed of the first turbine and the first pump at a predetermined speed lower than a nominal speed.
12 : A feed method according to claim 11 , wherein the off-loading is performed between the first pump and the heat exchanger.
13 : A feed method according to claim 12 , wherein the off-loading is performed via a valve for purging the first propellant.
14 : A feed method according to claim 11 , wherein the off-loading is performed between the heat exchanger and the first turbine.
15 : A feed method according to claim 11 , wherein the heat exchanger heats at least the main flow of the first propellant with heat generated in the combustion chamber.
16 : A feed method according to claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the main flow of the first propellant can bypass at least the first turbine via a first bypass passage fitted with a first bypass valve.
17 : A feed method according to claim 11 , further comprising pumping a flow of a second propellant by a second pump and injecting at least a portion of this flow of the second propellant into the at least one combustion chamber.
18 : A feed method according to claim 17 , further comprising expanding at least a portion of the main flow of the first propellant in a second turbine driving the second pump.
19 : A feed method according to claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the main flow of the first propellant can bypass at least the second turbine via a second bypass passage fitted with a second bypass valve.
20 : A feed method according to claim 18 , wherein the second turbine is situated downstream from the first turbine.