Noble gas storage and flow control system for ion propulsion
US6301876A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF03H1/0012
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
This invention provides a noble gas storage and delivery system for ion propulsion using an adsorption bed coupled with a primary storage vessel containing compressed gas or two-phase fluid to control the flow and pressure to a thruster component. The adsorption bed component is lighter weight than conventional flow and pressure control devices, and the system can provide in situ gas cleanup and stable flow from two-phase storage. The use of the adsorption bed allows for independent and isolated operation of multiple thruster components such as refill from the primary storage vessel, throttling, and multiple setpoint flow rates. The pressure and flow is controlled using a flow restrictor and low wattage heat. Flow rates of about 2-50 sccm can be controlled to within about 1.2% or less, and the flow can be throttled by varying the pressure. This noble gas storage and delivery system can be used for earth orbit satellites, and lunar or planetary space missions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.