Search Patents
  • Publication number: 20030177757
    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 (14A, 14B, 14C, . . . , 14F). 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Moog Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Reinicke
  • Patent number: 6973773
    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 (14A, 14B, 14C, . . . , 14F). 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventor: Robert H. Reinicke