Patent · US Expired

Gas-fed hybrid propulsion system

US5010730A · kind A · utility

31Cited by
9References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 1989
Grant dateApr 30, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 7, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF02K9/72
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Self-contained hybrid propulsion systems have long been recognized as a class of propulsion systems that combine a liquid propellant and a solid propellant into a single system. The propellants are stored separately and the liquid propellant is delivered to the motor casing that holds the solid propellant. The present invention contemplates gasifying the liquid propellant prior to introduction into the motor casing in order to enhance system performance. The solid propellant grain is ignited and partially burned generating heat to evaporate the remaining solid propellant grain at a controlled rate. The resulting mixture is then passed to a secondary combustion region where it is mixed with additional gasified liquid propellant to complete the combustion. An integrated turbopump assembly including a pump portion, a preburner portion and a turbine portion is provided to pressurize and gasify the liquid propellant.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.