초록 ▼

A geodesic, oblate spheroidally-shaped tank is disclosed containing a reversible diaphragm disposed within the tank. Liquid propellant is stored in the diaphragm housed within the tank, the propellant being expelled through an exit orifice of the tank by applying pressurant through an inlet orifice

A geodesic, oblate spheroidally-shaped tank is disclosed containing a reversible diaphragm disposed within the tank. Liquid propellant is stored in the diaphragm housed within the tank, the propellant being expelled through an exit orifice of the tank by applying pressurant through an inlet orifice of the tank between the inner wall of the tank and the exterior wall of the diaphragm. The oblate spheroidal shape of the diaphragm/tank combination controls the collapse mode of the diaphragm for uniform expulsion of fluid contained therein.

대표청구항 ▼

In a fluid expulsion tank apparatus wherein fluid pressure is exerted between the interior wall of said tank and an exterior wall of a collapsible liner within said tank to expel fluid from said tank contained within said liner, the improvement which comprises: a tank formed in an oblate spheroid sh

In a fluid expulsion tank apparatus wherein fluid pressure is exerted between the interior wall of said tank and an exterior wall of a collapsible liner within said tank to expel fluid from said tank contained within said liner, the improvement which comprises: a tank formed in an oblate spheroid shape, said tank having a polar axis defining first and second poles, and an equator perpendicular to said polar axis located midway between said first and second poles wherein the radius of said equator is greater than the distance between the equatorial planeand one pole, said tank having a decreasing radius of curvature from said pole to said equator, a collapsible liner conforming substantially to the shape of said tank, an inlet orifice formed by said tank located near said first pole of sand tank, an exit orifice formed by said tank located near said second pole of said tank, fluid contained within said liner, the fluid being expelled from said liner when the liner is subjected to said fluid pressure exerted between the interior wall of the tank and the exterior wall of said liner, the predetermined curvature of the liner controls the collapse of said liner from said first pole of the tank along the polar axis towards the opposite second pole in ever-widening concentric circles substantially parallel to the plane of the equator, said liner collapses in a rolling collapse mode such that random buckling is precluded, initial collapse of the liner commences in the area of said first pole, the liner substantially reverses upon itself as the fluid is expelled through said exit orifice.