Autogenous Pressurization Buffer Tank for Rocket Propellant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autogenous pressurization systems for rocket propellant tanks require continuous regulation of pressurization valves and can be slow due to reliance on external heating, posing risks during ground operations and increasing onboard mass.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a buffer tank connected to the pressurization pipe upstream of the pressurization valve, which acts as a source of pressurization fluid and regulates pressure, allowing for efficient heating and vaporization of propellant within the buffer tank, reducing the need for continuous supply and minimizing risks during ground operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a heater is used to heat propellant upstream of the pressurization valve, then the propellant pressure increases, but the pressurization process becomes slow and requires continuous valve regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer tank is pre-filled with liquid propellant before the pressurization operation. The heater is activated in advance to vaporize this propellant, creating a ready supply of pressurization gas. This preliminary action eliminates the need for slow continuous heating during pressurization, as the gas is already prepared and available for immediate use.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurization system is divided into two functional segments: the buffer tank serves as a reservoir and vaporization chamber, while the pressurization valve controls the flow to the main tank. This segmentation allows the heating and vaporization process to occur independently in the buffer tank, decoupling it from the pressurization rate control, thereby increasing overall pressurization speed.
2Stress or pressure
If gaseous propellant is stored at high pressure for pressurization, then pressurization can be achieved, but onboard mass increases and safety risks arise during ground operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of the propellant from gaseous (stored at high pressure) to liquid (stored at atmospheric pressure). The liquid propellant is stored in the buffer tank and vaporized on-demand through heating. This parameter change eliminates the need for high-pressure gas storage, reducing onboard mass and safety risks while maintaining pressurization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer tank acts as an intermediary between the liquid propellant storage and the main tank pressurization. It receives liquid propellant, heats and vaporizes it, then supplies the gaseous propellant to the main tank. This intermediary approach allows the system to use low-pressure liquid storage while achieving high-pressure gas pressurization, avoiding the need to store high-pressure gas directly.
3Stress or pressure
If continuous propellant supply is used to maintain tank pressure, then pressure regulation is achieved, but the system complexity and propellant consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer tank serves itself by containing both the liquid propellant and the heater. When activated, the heater vaporizes the liquid propellant within the same tank, creating the pressurization gas autonomously. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external propellant supply systems and complex continuous regulation mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining pressure control.
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
The buffer tank provides a continuous pressurization source, regulates tank pressure, and facilitates efficient heating, reducing the risk of explosions and simplifying ground operations by allowing on-site vaporization of propellant, thus enhancing the autogenous pressurization process.
Implementation Method 1
the heater is installed to heat the propellant contained in the buffer tank
Implementation Method 2
the propellant in the buffer tank can be heated and vaporized once it has been installed and partially filled with liquid propellant
Implementation Method 3
the buffer tank regulates the pressure in the main tank, eliminating the need for a continuous supply of propellant to the autogenous pressurization system
Implementation Method 4
the propellant pressure increases as it passes through the heater, and the heated propellant can be used to repressurize the main tank
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
An autogenous pressurisation device (50) for a main propellant reservoir (10, 30), comprises a pressurisation pipe (13, 33) connected to the main reservoir (10, 30) for injecting the propellant into said main reservoir, a pressurisation valve (13a, 33a) disposed on the pressurisation pipe (13, 33), and a heater (17, 37) for heating the propellant upstream from the pressurisation valve (13a, 33a). The pressurisation device (50) comprises a buffer reservoir (15, 35) connected to the pressurisation pipe (13, 33) upstream from the pressurisation valve (13a, 33a).