Remote Cryocooler for Reusable Spacecraft Propellant Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spacecraft propellant systems are limited by the high cost and weight of cryocoolers, which are typically integrated with propellant tanks, making long-duration missions and repeated space flights impractical due to the expense and weight of cryocooler development and the need for frequent replacement.
Innovation Solution
A remotely located cryocooler system is used, separate from the propellant tanks, with a common interface for propellant cartridges, allowing for cost-effective propellant storage and cooling without modifying existing tank designs, and enabling the cryocooler to be preserved and reused, reducing development costs and extending mission duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cryocoolers are integrated into propellant tanks, then cooling performance is maximized through secure thermal interface, but development and manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the cryocooler from the propellant tank into distinct modular components. The cryocooler is located in the spacecraft bus while the tank is a separate cartridge, allowing independent development and manufacturing of each component, thereby reducing overall development costs while maintaining cooling effectiveness through the feed line thermal interface.
2Reliability
If cryocoolers are integrated with propellant tanks, then thermal interface security is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the system into separate cryocooler and tank modules connected through feed lines, the total weight is reduced compared to integrated designs. The cryocooler remains in the spacecraft bus while the tank cartridge can be optimized independently for weight efficiency.
3Reliability
If cryocoolers are integrated into propellant tanks, then cooling effectiveness is maximized, but mission duration is limited due to frequent replacement needs
Solution Approach 1:
The propellant tank cartridge is designed as a disposable component that can be quickly replaced when depleted, while the cryocooler is recovered and reused in the spacecraft bus. This extends the operational duration of the spacecraft by allowing multiple propellant loading cycles without replacing the expensive cryocooler system.
4Quantity of substance
If more propellant is carried onboard, then mission capability is improved, but launch costs and vehicle size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The propellant is stored in separate interchangeable tank cartridges that can be loaded into the spacecraft bus as needed. This modular approach allows the spacecraft to carry propellant without permanently increasing vehicle size or weight, as only the necessary amount is loaded into the tank cartridge at any given time.
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 provides a cost-effective propellant storage and cooling system that supports long-duration missions and repeated space flights by allowing the cryocooler to be reused, reducing the weight and cost of propellant tank modules, and enabling efficient propellant resupply through exchangeable cartridges.
Implementation Method 1
a cryocooler disposed on a spacecraft bus for cooling propellant
Data Source
AI summary
A cryocooler is located on a spacecraft bus, such as a bus box, separate from the cryogenic propellant tanks disposed on a separable and distinct propellant cartridge system spacecraft docked to the spacecraft bus. In operation, propellant may be continuously pumped from the tanks through the cryocooler cold heat exchanger and then back to the tanks on the separable propellant cartridge system spacecraft through temporarily couplable lines. After the propellant tanks are depleted, the propellant cartridge system is then undocked from the bus and typically discarded. A new propellant cartridge system spacecraft comprising a full set of tanks may then be docked to the bus and the cryocooler supply/return lines coupled. The remote cryocooler may function as part of a larger space depot for spacecraft resupply, although it is not limited to such applications.