摘要:
Ullage volume of a container containing a fluid is determined by injecting a known quantity of radioactive material into the ullage volume. After the radioactive material has dispersed uniformly throughout the ullage volume the density thereof is measured to provide the ullage volume indication. The system can be utilized to monitor the amount of fuel in the container under either zero G or a gravitational field. The ullage volume indication can be compensated for pressure variations within the volume by utilizing a pressure transducer having an output that is combined with the detected density. A system is provided to compensate for background, radiation noise. The system can also be utilized to detect leakage from the container by noting changes in concentration of the radioactive material. Corrections for temperature variations are also provided. In fixed volumes systems, the device can be utilized to monitor pressure and temperature variations.
摘要:
An emergency hydraulic power supply for providing hydraulic power to an aircraft system in event of engine failure including a hydraulic pump, a hot gas turbine for driving the pump, a decomposition chamber for decomposing fuel to provide hot gas for driving the turbine, a fuel storage tank, pump means for delivering fuel from the tank to the decomposition chamber, conduit means connecting the pump outlet and the decomposition chamber, means for conducting hot gas from the decomposition chamber to the fuel tank for pressurizing the fuel to force the latter toward the pump means, means utilizing tank pressure for purging the conduit means on pump shutdown, and coupling means for using external fluid under pressure for testing operation of various components without decomposition of fuel.
摘要:
A system for protecting a rocket engine, comprising, a storage reservoir of first protectant material, a control system configured to release it after the engine has finished firing, a conduit to deliver first protectant material to the engine injector, a valve to isolate first protectant material storage reservoir, an apparatus configured to drive the first protectant material from the reservoir to the engine injector.
摘要:
Leakage of propellants such as oxygen and hydrogen in an enclosed environment in the atmosphere can lead to fires or explosions. For storage tanks on reusable launch vehicles such as the space shuttle where propellant is to be stored in the cargo bay of the vehicle, the storage tank should be filled while the vehicle is at a safe altitude to avoid the dangers associated with propellant leakage. The invention a process for filling propellant tanks at safe altitudes where if there is propellant leakage ignition will not occur. The process involves launching the vehicle with an inert gas in the storage tanks, dumping the inert gas and filling the tanks in the cargo bay from the main propellant tanks during the launch once the vehicle is at a safe altitude. The propellant can be dumped overboard and the storage tanks filled with an inert gas in case of a mission abort if the vehicle needs to make an emergency landing.