US 11,982,406 B1
Method and apparatus for controlling temperature and pressure inside a propellant tank
Jeffrey J. Rogers, Littleton, CO (US); and Joel Cy Scott, Lone Tree, CO (US)
Assigned to United Launch Alliance, L.L.C., Centennial, CO (US)
Filed by United Launch Alliance, L.LC., Centennial, CO (US)
Filed on Jan. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/584,738.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/147,097, filed on Feb. 8, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/147,092, filed on Feb. 8, 2021.
Int. Cl. F17C 13/00 (2006.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01)
CPC F17C 13/00 (2013.01) [B64G 1/402 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for controlling the temperature and pressure in a propellant tank in a microgravity environment, comprising:
a. providing a tank containing a first fluid, the first fluid having a liquid portion and a gaseous portion;
b. introducing a second fluid into the tank;
c. accelerating the second fluid to create a first zone of reduced static pressure proximate the accelerated second fluid;
d. using the first zone of reduced static pressure to draw a first portion of the liquid portion of the first fluid into contact with the second fluid;
e. mixing the first portion of the liquid portion of the first fluid with the second fluid to create a mixture;
f. introducing the mixture into the gaseous portion of the first fluid;
g. inducing cooling of a portion of the gaseous portion of the first fluid by heat transfer with the introduced mixture to reduce the pressure and temperature of the portion of the gaseous portion of the first fluid within a second zone within the tank; and
h. adding first fluid into the tank wherein the added first fluid is in a liquid phase.