Patent · US Expired

Pre-burner for low temperature turbine applications

US6655127B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by

4References

3Claims

0Family size

Assignee

NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION · US

Inventors

William D. Kruse · Redondo Beach, US
Thomas Mueller · Lappersdorf, DE
John J. Weede · Rochester, US

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 24, 2002
Grant date	Dec 2, 2003
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Dec 24, 2022

Classification

Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
CPC primaryF02K9/48
WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method is provided for using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to drive a turbine (20′) in a turbopump fed rocket engine (12′). The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving fuel into a fuel rich pre-burner (50); (b) receiving high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide into the pre-burner (50); (c) converting the fuel and hydrogen peroxide into a fuel rich gas; and (d) passing the fuel rich gas through a turbine (20′), thereby using high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to drive the turbine. Thus, by utilizing a fuel rich pre-burner (50) that operates at a very low mixture ratio, the drive gas for a turbine (20′) can be maintained at moderate temperature levels.

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