Exchangeable propellant cartridge system
US8091835B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jan 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 18, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/6464
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A propellant depot (40, 150) includes a utility box (42, 42′) that has space flight equipment. A propellant cartridge adaptor (95) is coupled to the utility box (42, 42′) and to an exchangeable propellant cartridge system (41). The propellant depot (40, 150) also includes a docking adaptor (44) for coupling to an approaching spacecraft (24). A controller (66) controls the transfer of propellant from within the exchangeable propellant cartridge system (41) to the spacecraft (24). A method of providing propellant to a spacecraft in space includes launching an orbital propellant depot (40, 150) into space. The spacecraft is docked to the orbital propellant depot (40, 150) in space. Propellant is transferred to the spacecraft. The spacecraft is separated from the orbital propellant depot (40, 150).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.