Cryogenic Turbopump Feed Line Layout for Faster Chilldown

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cryogenic turbopump feed lines in liquid propulsion rockets face challenges such as prolonged chilldown duration, propellant consumption, and potential material degradation due to thermal shocks, which affect engine performance and payload capacity.

Innovation Solution

A cryogenic turbopump feed line design featuring a main channel surrounded by multiple secondary channels, which reduces the volume to be heated and minimizes thermal conductance, utilizing these channels to concentrate film boiling and facilitate faster chilldown with reduced propellant use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If additional parts and coatings are used to reduce thermal conditioning duration, then the chilldown time is reduced, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechilldown timeVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed line is segmented into a main channel and multiple secondary channels arranged in parallel. This segmentation allows the secondary channels to serve as thermal insulation barriers without requiring additional coating layers or complex modifications, thereby reducing chilldown time while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary channels are nested within the feed line structure, surrounding the main channel. This nested configuration provides thermal insulation functionality integrated within the existing structural framework, avoiding the need for external coatings or additional parts that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Temperature

If propellant is used for chilldown, then the thermal conditioning is achieved, but the payload of the rocket is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal conditioningVSAvoidpropellant consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The feed line is segmented into a main channel and multiple secondary channels arranged in parallel. This segmentation allows the secondary channels to serve as thermal insulation barriers without requiring additional coating layers or complex modifications, thereby reducing chilldown time while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary channels, which represent additional material that would normally increase thermal mass, are converted into a beneficial thermal insulation barrier. This configuration reduces propellant consumption during chilldown by minimizing heat transfer to the surroundings, thereby converting what could be a harmful thermal mass into a useful insulating feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Volume of stationary object

If the volume around the main channel is reduced, then the mass to be brought to temperature is reduced, but the thermal conductance between the main channel and periphery must be minimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume to be chilledVSAvoidthermal insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The feed line is segmented into a main channel and multiple secondary channels arranged in parallel. This segmentation allows the secondary channels to serve as thermal insulation barriers without requiring additional coating layers or complex modifications, thereby reducing chilldown time while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary channels are nested within the feed line structure, surrounding the main channel. This nested configuration provides thermal insulation functionality integrated within the existing structural framework, avoiding the need for external coatings or additional parts that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design accelerates the chilldown process, reduces propellant consumption, and maintains structural integrity by minimizing thermal conductance and material exposure, enhancing engine performance and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

when the temperature difference is maximum between the walls at ambient temperature and the propellant, the propellant is vaporized by forming a gas film insulating the wall of the liquid core (film boiling)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFilm boiling: Boiling

Implementation Method 2

reducing the thermal conductance between the main channel and a periphery external to the secondary channels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12601426B2Cryogenic turbopump feed line

Publication Date: 2026.04.14 ARIANEGRP SAS

AI summary

Cryogenic turbopump feed line, comprising a main channel able to transport a cryogenic fluid, a plurality of secondary channels parallel to and disposed around the main channel in which the plurality of secondary channels are disposed on the periphery of an external perimeter of the main channel.