Remotely located cryocooler
US7413148B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 2006 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/6855
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cryocooler is located on a spacecraft bus, such as a bus box, separate from the cryogenic propellant tanks disposed on a separable and distinct propellant cartridge system spacecraft docked to the spacecraft bus. In operation, propellant may be continuously pumped from the tanks through the cryocooler cold heat exchanger and then back to the tanks on the separable propellant cartridge system spacecraft through temporarily couplable lines. After the propellant tanks are depleted, the propellant cartridge system is then undocked from the bus and typically discarded. A new propellant cartridge system spacecraft comprising a full set of tanks may then be docked to the bus and the cryocooler supply/return lines coupled. The remote cryocooler may function as part of a larger space depot for spacecraft resupply, although it is not limited to such applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.