Cryogenic propellant depot and integral sunshield

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-07-29
UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE
View PDF18 Cites 27 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]By the robust design of the present cryogenic depot and integral sunshield, inter-planetary space missions are no longer limited by launch vehicle performance. Smaller, less costly launch vehicles can be used, and space explorations can be extended much farther into the solar system. The depot of the present invent

Problems solved by technology

Space exploration is limited by a number of factors that prohibit the distance to which space vehicles can travel from the earth

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Cryogenic propellant depot and integral sunshield
  • Cryogenic propellant depot and integral sunshield
  • Cryogenic propellant depot and integral sunshield

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0032]In accordance with the present invention and in one aspect of the invention, it includes a combination of a cryogenic propellant tank and an integral sunshield. According to this first aspect, the propellant tank can be incorporated as the upper stage of a launch vehicle further including a propulsion system that can carry a payload such as a satellite. In another aspect of the invention as a subcombination, it may be considered a sunshield especially adapted for space vehicles. In yet another aspect of the invention as a subcombination, it may be considered a cryogenic propellant tank placed in orbit and especially adapted for fueling and refueling space vehicles. In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for deploying a sunshield for a space vehicle. In yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for providing a readily accessible liquid within a cryogenic tank while in earth orbit for transfer to another space vehicle.

[0033]FIG. 1 illustrates a ...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

PUM

No PUM Login to view more

Abstract

A cryogenic propellant depot and sunshield are provided for operation in earth orbit to fuel or refuel other space vehicles. The sunshield is deployed to effectively mitigate solar radiation emanating from the earth and the sun thereby providing a long term storage solution for cryogenic fluids prone to boil-off. The depot has supporting subsystems to include station keeping equipment and communication equipment so that the depot can be independently controlled. Inflatable booms are used to deploy the sunshield in a desired pattern around the depot.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to cryogenic propellant depots used for the fueling of space vehicles in earth orbit, other orbits, deep space or near celestial bodies, and more particularly, to a cryogenic propellant depot placed in space having an integral sunshield to optimize storage of liquid cryogens by shielding the depot from solar radiation.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Space exploration is limited by a number of factors that prohibit the distance to which space vehicles can travel from the earth to the rest of the solar system. One obvious limitation is the size of a payload that can be placed into earth orbit and beyond. Tremendous power and fuel requirements are required to place larger payloads into earth orbit, and to then project those payloads to other locations in the solar system, such as the moon or Mars. The proposed NASA Ares-5 rocket is capable of delivering approximately 69 tons to earth escape velocity. However, NASA's current arc...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to view more
IPC IPC(8): B64G1/54B64G1/64B64G1/00F17C7/02F17C1/00
CPCB64G1/007Y02E60/321B64G1/222B64G1/281B64G1/401B64G1/402B64G1/54B64G1/646B64G2001/224F17C3/04F17C2201/0109F17C2201/0166F17C2201/0171F17C2201/052F17C2201/054F17C2203/0308F17C2203/032F17C2203/0387F17C2205/0176F17C2205/0323F17C2205/0332F17C2205/0335F17C2205/0338F17C2205/037F17C2209/228F17C2221/011F17C2221/012F17C2223/0161F17C2223/033F17C2227/0107F17C2250/032F17C2250/034F17C2250/0426F17C2250/0626F17C2260/033F17C2265/017F17C2265/031F17C2265/032F17C2265/04F17C2265/065F17C2270/0194B64G1/1078Y02E60/32B64G1/2227B64G1/2427
Inventor KUTTER, BERNARD FRIEDRICHZEGLER, FRANK CHARLESRAGAB, MOHAMED M.
Owner UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Try Eureka
PatSnap group products

Browse by: Latest US Patents, China's latest patents, Technical Efficacy Thesaurus, Application Domain, Technology Topic.

© 2024 PatSnap. All rights reserved.Legal|Privacy policy|Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement|Sitemap