Abstract: A fuel cell-based power system comprises a fuel cell configured for continuously receiving a first reactant and a second reactant to produce chemical reactions that generate electrical power, water, and heat, a coolant subsystem configured for circulating a primary coolant in association with the fuel cell, thereby absorbing the generated heat, a tank configured for storing a reactant, and a reactant distribution subsystem configured for conveying the reactant from the tank to an independent system, the fuel cell as the first reactant, and the coolant subsystem as a secondary coolant to remove the absorbed heat from the primary coolant and/or a water accumulator. The secondary coolant may be conveyed to a gas thruster as a gas after the absorbed heat has been removed from the secondary coolant. The reactant may boil off of a cryogenic liquid or vapor or gas transformed from a cryogenic liquid via a heater.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to Additive Manufacturing (AM) pressurization diffusers. An example diffuser includes an integral component configurable for receiving and diffusing pressurant. Particularly, the integral component includes multiple elements manufactured as a single-piece structure, including an inner filter, outer shell, and flange. The inner filter includes micro-diamond holes that enable pressurant received at an opening of the inner filter to diffuse out of the inner filter and subsequently through holes positioned in a shell surface of the outer shell. The flange can position the diffuser such that the opening of the inner filter is in pressurant communication with a pressurant source (e.g., opening of a tank) enabling the diffuser to receive and diffuse pressurant in a predefined pattern.

Abstract: A fuel cell-based power system comprises a fuel cell configured for continuously receiving a first reactant and a second reactant to produce chemical reactions that generate electrical power, water, and heat, a coolant subsystem configured for circulating a primary coolant in association with the fuel cell, thereby absorbing the generated heat, a tank configured for storing a reactant, and a reactant distribution subsystem configured for conveying the reactant from the tank to an independent system, the fuel cell as the first reactant, and the coolant subsystem as a secondary coolant to remove the absorbed heat from the primary coolant and/or a water accumulator. The secondary coolant may be conveyed to a gas thruster as a gas after the absorbed heat has been removed from the secondary coolant. The reactant may be boil off of a cryogenic liquid or vapor or gas transformed from a cryogenic liquid via a heater.

Abstract: A fuel cell-based power system comprises a fuel cell configured for continuously receiving a first reactant and a second reactant to produce chemical reactions that generate electrical power, water, and heat, a coolant subsystem configured for circulating a primary coolant in association with the fuel cell, thereby absorbing the generated heat, a tank configured for storing a reactant, and a reactant distribution subsystem configured for conveying the reactant from the tank to an independent system, the fuel cell as the first reactant, and the coolant subsystem as a secondary coolant to remove the absorbed heat from the primary coolant and/or a water accumulator. The secondary coolant may be conveyed to a gas thruster as a gas after the absorbed heat has been removed from the secondary coolant. The reactant may boil off of a cryogenic liquid or vapor or gas transformed from a cryogenic liquid via a heater.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to Additive Manufacturing (AM) pressurization diffusers. An example diffuser includes an integral component configurable for receiving and diffusing pressurant. Particularly, the integral component includes multiple elements manufactured as a single-piece structure, including an inner filter, outer shell, and flange. The inner filter includes micro-diamond holes that enable pressurant received at an opening of the inner filter to diffuse out of the inner filter and subsequently through holes positioned in a shell surface of the outer shell. The flange can position the diffuser such that the opening of the inner filter is in pressurant communication with a pressurant source (e.g., opening of a tank) enabling the diffuser to receive and diffuse pressurant in a predefined pattern.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to Additive Manufacturing (AM) pressurization diffusers. An example diffuser includes an integral component configurable for receiving and diffusing pressurant. Particularly, the integral component includes multiple elements manufactured as a single-piece structure, including an inner filter, outer shell, and flange. The inner filter includes micro-diamond holes that enable pressurant received at an opening of the inner filter to diffuse out of the inner filter and subsequently through holes positioned in a shell surface of the outer shell. The flange can position the diffuser such that the opening of the inner filter is in pressurant communication with a pressurant source (e.g., opening of a tank) enabling the diffuser to receive and diffuse pressurant in a predefined pattern.

Abstract: A diffuser is disclosed and includes a channel with an inner portion having an inlet and an outlet through which a gaseous substance enters and exits the diffuser, respectively. The inner portion includes a first conical section that has an increasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to a central axis, in a first direction. The inner portion also includes a second conical section that has a decreasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to the central axis, in the first direction. The second conical section is communicatively coupled with the first conical section. The outer portion includes a first annular section that has an increasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to the central axis, in a second direction opposite the first direction. The diffuser further includes a plurality of orifices that communicatively couple the second conical section with the first annular section.

Abstract: A diffuser is disclosed and includes a channel with an inner portion having an inlet and an outlet through which a gaseous substance enters and exits the diffuser, respectively. The inner portion includes a first conical section that has an increasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to a central axis, in a first direction. The inner portion also includes a second conical section that has a decreasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to the central axis, in the first direction. The second conical section is communicatively coupled with the first conical section. The outer portion includes a first annular section that has an increasing cross-sectional area, taken along a plane perpendicular to the central axis, in a second direction opposite the first direction. The diffuser further includes a plurality of orifices that communicatively couple the second conical section with the first annular section.

Abstract: A fuel cell-based power system comprises a fuel cell configured for continuously receiving a first reactant and a second reactant to produce chemical reactions that generate electrical power, water, and heat, a coolant subsystem configured for circulating a primary coolant in association with the fuel cell, thereby absorbing the generated heat, a tank configured for storing a reactant, and a reactant distribution subsystem configured for conveying the reactant from the tank to an independent system, the fuel cell as the first reactant, and the coolant subsystem as a secondary coolant to remove the absorbed heat from the primary coolant and/or a water accumulator. The secondary coolant may be conveyed to a gas thruster as a gas after the absorbed heat has been removed from the secondary coolant. The reactant may be boil off of a cryogenic liquid or vapor or gas transformed from a cryogenic liquid via a heater.

Abstract: A method for densifying liquid methane is described. The method includes passing the liquid methane through a liquid nitrogen bath, self-pressurizing a container associated with the liquid nitrogen bath through boil off of the liquid nitrogen within the container, and regulating pressure within the liquid nitrogen container to maintain a boiling point of the liquid nitrogen above the triple point temperature of the liquid methane passing through the liquid nitrogen bath.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for preventing de-bonding of insulation from a propellant container surface. When assembled to a propellant container, the container includes a substrate having an outer surface, a base material having an overall rough outer surface relative to the outer surface of the substrate, and an adhesive material adhering the base material to the substrate. Alternately, the base material may be welded to the outer surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for preventing de-bonding of insulation from a propellant container surface. When assembled to a propellant container, the container includes a substrate having an outer surface, a base material having an overall rough outer surface relative to the outer surface of the substrate, and an adhesive material adhering the base material to the substrate. Alternately, the base material may be welded to the outer surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A system to produce a densified fluid, and more particularly a densified propellant to be used in a launch vehicle. The system includes a vessel containing a first fluid and an injection nozzle to inject a cooling fluid into the vessel. The first fluid in the vessel has a freezing temperature greater than the boiling point of the second fluid that is injected into it. The second fluid is injected into the first fluid and evaporates therefrom to cool the first fluid. An anti-icing chamber is placed around the injection nozzle and a third fluid is provided to the anti-icing chamber to form an interface which does not allow the first fluid to contact the injection nozzle. In this way, the second fluid can be substantially continuously provided through the injection nozzle to the first fluid to cool the first fluid. A heat exchanger can then be provided in the vessel to cool an additional material.

Abstract: A system to produce a densified fluid, and more particularly a densified propellant to be used in a launch vehicle. The system includes a vessel containing a first fluid and an injection nozzle to inject a cooling fluid into the vessel. The first fluid in the vessel has a freezing temperature greater than the boiling point of the second fluid that is injected into it. The second fluid is injected into the first fluid and evaporates therefrom to cool the first fluid. An anti-icing chamber is placed around the injection nozzle and a third fluid is provided to the anti-icing chamber to form an interface which does not allow the first fluid to contact the injection nozzle. In this way, the second fluid can be substantially continuously provided through the injection nozzle to the first fluid to cool the first fluid. A heat exchanger can then be provided in the vessel to cool an additional Material.

Abstract: An improved and simplified system for densifying a cryogenic liquid for space vehicles is provided, which includes a heat exchanger having heat exchange tubes therein for receiving a flow of liquid from a storage tank, for example a liquid propellant in a vehicle storage tank. The heat exchanger is filled around the exchange tubes with a two-component bath, the volume of a primary component substantially exceeding the volume of a secondary component. The secondary component has a boiling temperature that is lower than the boiling temperature of the primary component, and both are lower than the boiling temperature of the cryogenic liquid. In one example, the liquid to be densified is oxygen, the primary component is liquid nitrogen, and a secondary component is liquid hydrogen. The secondary component is preferably injected into the heat exchanger in separate flows to prevent localized freezing of the first component.

Abstract: An improved and simplified system for densifying a cryogenic liquid for space vehicles is provided, which includes a heat exchanger having heat exchange tubes therein for receiving a flow of liquid from a storage tank, for example a liquid propellant in a vehicle storage tank. The heat exchanger is filled around the exchange tubes with a two-component bath, the volume of a primary component substantially exceeding the volume of a secondary component. The secondary component has a boiling temperature that is lower than the boiling temperature of the primary component, and both are lower than the boiling temperature of the cryogenic liquid. In one example, the liquid to be densified is oxygen, the primary component is liquid nitrogen, and a secondary component is liquid hydrogen. The secondary component is preferably injected into the heat exchanger in separate flows to prevent localized freezing of the first component.

Abstract: Super cooling the cryogenic liquid propellant in a vehicle propellant tank densities the propellant allowing the vehicle propellant tank to carry more fuel in the same volume tank while lowering the vapor pressure and thus the tank operating pressure. Lowering the tank operating pressure reduces the stress and therefore allows the walls of the tank to be thinner. Both the smaller tank volume and thinner tank wall results in an overall smaller and lighter vehicle with increased payload capability. The cryogenic propellant can be supercooled well below the normal boiling point temperature level by transporting the liquid propellant from the vehicle tanks to a ground based cooling unit which utilizes a combination of heat exchanger and compressor. The compressor lowers the coolant fluid bath pressure resulting in a low temperature boiling liquid which is subsequently used to cool the recirculating liquid. The cooled propellant is then returned to the vehicle propellant tank.