Anaerobic Hybrid Propulsion Segregation Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid propulsion devices with solid fuel and liquid oxidant face issues of increasing combustion chamber volume and thrust variation over time, making them unsuitable for compact satellite applications due to the radial expansion of ducts and volume changes during combustion.
Innovation Solution
A segregation device is introduced between the solid fuel reservoir and combustion chamber, allowing only pasty, liquid, or vaporized fuel to pass through, maintaining constant combustion zone volume and symmetry, using granules of specific dimensions and shapes, and a holed or porous structure to control fuel flow and prevent clumping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a brick of powder solid fuel is used in the combustion chamber with radial combustion, then the fuel can be stored and combusted with liquid oxidant, but the combustion chamber volume increases progressively over time leading to thrust variation
Solution Approach 1:
The solid fuel is divided into small granules (1-5mm diameter) instead of using a single brick of powder. This segmentation allows the fuel to be stored in a reservoir separate from the combustion chamber, with only a controlled amount present in the chamber at any time, preventing excessive volume increase during combustion.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel storage function is extracted from the combustion chamber by introducing a separate fuel reservoir. The segregation device removes solid granules from the reservoir and delivers only melted or vaporized fuel to the combustion chamber, separating the storage volume from the combustion zone volume.
2Volume of stationary object
If a very long duct and brick of powder are used to limit combustion chamber volume increase, then the combustion chamber volume can be controlled, but the motor becomes long and slender making it incompatible with satellite applications
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel delivery mechanism transitions from a longitudinal approach (long ducts along the motor axis) to a radial approach (segregation device with orifices perpendicular to the combustion chamber axis). This allows fuel supply without requiring excessive length in the motor design.
Solution Approach 2:
The segregation device uses a porous or holed structure with orifices that allow passage of melted or vaporized fuel while blocking solid granules. This porous barrier enables compact fuel delivery without requiring long ducts, as the fuel can be supplied through the walls of the combustion chamber itself.
3Quantity of substance
If solid fuel granules are stored in the reservoir, then fuel can be kept ready for combustion, but the granules may clump together and fail to flow properly
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is designed with specific local qualities: the granules are kept in a state of controlled looseness with adequate spacing, and the segregation device has orifices of specific sizes (smaller than granule diameter) that create localized flow paths. This ensures fuel flows properly when needed while preventing clumping during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The granules are made substantially spherical or convex in shape, which facilitates smooth sliding and flow of granules through the reservoir and into the combustion chamber. The spherical shape prevents interlocking and clumping that would occur with angular shapes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution maintains a constant combustion chamber volume and symmetry, enabling efficient and consistent thrust without the need for long, slender motor designs, allowing for compact propulsion systems like those in satellites, and enables reignition of the rocket engine by re-heating granules to slide back to the segregation device.
Implementation Method 1
comprise orifices that allow the passage of fuel once this fuel has become pasty, liquid or vaporized
Implementation Method 2
a holed or porous structure to control fuel flow and prevent clumping
Implementation Method 3
the combustion chamber which is raised to a temperature high enough to make the fuel present in the reservoir in the immediate vicinity of the segregation device melt then pass in liquid phase across the segregation device and finally vaporize under the effect of temperature
Implementation Method 4
The fuel thus vaporized comes into contact with the oxidant and an exothermic chemical reaction takes place between them, sustaining the combustion in the combustion chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An anaerobic propulsion device of hybrid type. The propulsion device includes a combustion chamber into which an oxidant is injected thereto comes into contact with a fuel. The chamber includes an orifice, notably a nozzle, to inject the combustion gases. The fuel takes the form of solids divided into granules, typically grains, powder or beads. The propulsion device further includes a segregation device arranged between a reservoir for granules of solid fuel, and the combustion chamber. The segregation device is configured to prevent granules of fuel in solid form from passing between the reservoir and the combustion chamber. The segregation device includes orifices to allow the passage of the fuel, once the fuel has become pasty, liquid or vaporized.