Fuel tanks and reusable launch vehicles comprising these fuel tanks

US11939086B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Jonathan D. Embler · Tustin, US
• Tin Luu · Garden Grove, US
• Morgan Ashley Lewis · Talbert, US
• John Matthew Nichols · Madison, US
• Keith Charles Kreutztrager · Holden, US
• Chinh Manh Cao · Talbert, US
• Jonathan Edward Toomey · Orange, US
• Martin Lozano · Berkeley, US
• Alfredo Lopez · Dover, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 18, 2021
• Grant date: Mar 26, 2024
• Expiry date: Apr 26, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/4021
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A fuel tank comprises an interior wall, a sump, and a baffle that comprises a center fitting, a full-length containment petal, a partial-length containment petal, a dump tube. The full-length containment petal comprises a full-length side edge, extending radially outward from the center fitting. The partial-length containment petal comprises a partial-length side edge, extending radially outward from the center fitting. The dump tube is connected to the sump. The full-length side edge of the full-length containment petal is longer than the partial-length side edge of the partial-length containment petal. All of the partial-length side edge of the partial-length containment petal is attached to a linear portion of the full-length side edge of the full-length containment petal.