Propellant Tank Vent Line Liquid Level Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rocket propellant tanks experience significant acceleration loads due to liquid propellant buildup and sloshing in the vent line, leading to increased structural stress and mass, which can affect engine performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A system with a vent line and equalization valve that controls the flow of liquid propellant between the vent line and the propellant tank, ensuring equalized liquid levels to reduce buoyancy forces and trapped liquid, utilizing a controller to manage valve operations and maintain optimal pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vent line is designed to handle liquid propellant buildup and sloshing, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the device complexity and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by equalizing the liquid propellant level in the vent line with the liquid level in the propellant tank through the equalization valve. This creates equal pressure conditions at the same elevation, eliminating the pressure differential that causes liquid buildup and sloshing in the vent line, thereby reducing structural requirements while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The equalization valve serves as an intermediary device between the vent line and the propellant tank. It controls the flow of liquid propellant to equalize levels and can be automatically actuated by a float mechanism, providing a simple intermediate component that resolves the contradiction without adding complex systems
2Reliability
If the vent line is designed to handle liquid propellant buildup and sloshing, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the mass of the vent system increases
Solution Approach 1:
By equalizing the liquid levels in the vent line and propellant tank, the patent eliminates the buoyancy forces and pressure differentials that would require heavy structural reinforcement. This allows the vent line to be designed with minimal mass while maintaining reliability under normal operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic liquid propellant buildup from the vent line by using the equalization valve to drain excess liquid back into the propellant tank. This eliminates the need for the vent line structure to withstand the loads from liquid accumulation, thereby reducing vent system mass
3Force
If the equalization valve is used to equalize liquid levels, then the load on the vent line is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The equalization valve is designed with a float mechanism that automatically actuates the valve based on the liquid level in the vent line. When liquid accumulates, the float rises and closes the valve; when liquid needs to be equalized, the float descends and opens the valve. This self-regulating mechanism reduces the load on the vent line without requiring external control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The float mechanism serves as a simple intermediary that translates liquid level changes into valve actuation. This intermediate component provides automatic control of the equalization valve with minimal complexity, balancing the reduction in vent line load against the addition of a simple control mechanism
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 reduces the load on the vent line, minimizes structural components, and decreases rocket engine mass, enhancing performance and reducing propellant loss by neutralizing buoyancy and trapped liquid forces during launch.
Implementation Method 1
a S2 liquid propellant vent system experiences significant load due to the buoyancy of a vent line relative to the surrounding liquid propellant within the propellant tank
Implementation Method 2
a pressure differential across the vent valve causes the vent valve to close
Implementation Method 3
a float may be positioned within the vent line and may be configured to actuate the equalization valve in response to a liquid level within the vent line
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for equalizing fluid levels within a vent line and a propellant tank in which the vent line is located are discussed herein. The vent line includes a vent valve and an equalization valve. The vent valve can be included in a vent duct of the vent line. The equalization valve is included in a bottom wall (i.e., a low point) of the vent duct of the vent line. A controller is also included in the system to instruct a vent valve and the equalization valve to open and close.