公开(公告)号：US11680544B1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-20

申请号：US17404666

申请日：2021-08-17

Applicant: UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE, L.L.C.

Inventor： Christopher L. Bridges ,  Bernard Friedrich Kutter ,  Frank C. Zegler

IPC: F02K9/60 ,  F02K9/44 ,  F02K9/56 ,  F02K9/42 ,  B64G1/40

CPC classification number: F02K9/60 ,  B64G1/401 ,  B64G1/402 ,  F02K9/42 ,  F02K9/44 ,  F02K9/56 ,  F02K9/566

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a vapor retention device and methods of using a vapor retention device to manage propellant for upper stage space vehicles. The use of a vapor retention device, in combination with controlled acceleration, drives liquid propellant from a propellant supply line communicating with an upper stage main engine back into a propellant tank and establishes an insulating liquid/gas propellant interface that prevents the exchange of gaseous propellant across the interface.

公开(公告)号：US11092111B1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-17

申请号：US16214588

申请日：2018-12-10

Applicant: UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE, L.L.C.

Inventor： Christopher L. Bridges ,  Bernard Friedrich Kutter ,  Frank C. Zegler

IPC: F02K9/60 ,  F02K9/44 ,  F02K9/56 ,  F02K9/42 ,  B64G1/40

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a vapor retention device and methods of using a vapor retention device to manage propellant for upper stage space vehicles. The use of a vapor retention device, in combination with controlled acceleration, drives liquid propellant from a propellant supply line communicating with an upper stage main engine back into a propellant tank and establishes an insulating liquid/gas propellant interface that prevents the exchange of gaseous propellant across the interface.

公开(公告)号：US12104559B1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-01

申请号：US18195179

申请日：2023-05-09

Applicant: UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE, L.L.C.

Inventor： Christopher L. Bridges ,  Bernard Friedrich Kutter ,  Frank C. Zegler

IPC: F02K9/60 ,  B64G1/40 ,  F02K9/42 ,  F02K9/44 ,  F02K9/56

CPC classification number: F02K9/60 ,  B64G1/401 ,  B64G1/402 ,  F02K9/42 ,  F02K9/44 ,  F02K9/56 ,  F02K9/566

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a vapor retention device and methods of using a vapor retention device to manage propellant for upper stage space vehicles. The use of a vapor retention device, in combination with controlled acceleration, drives liquid propellant from a propellant supply line communicating with an upper stage main engine back into a propellant tank and establishes an insulating liquid/gas propellant interface that prevents the exchange of gaseous propellant across the interface.