초록

Spherical tank 30 has its outlet 34 angularly positioned away from the tank center line axis 54 which is parallel to the local gravity vector 26. This angular positioning of outlet 34 inhibits vortexing as liquid is withdrawn from tank 30.

대표청구항 ▼

A closed spherical tank for mounting in a spin-stabilized spacecraft for the storage and discharge of propellant liquid in a space environment having a gravity vector due to the spinning of the spacecraft, said tank comprising: a closed spherical tank shell having a center point and enclosing an uno

A closed spherical tank for mounting in a spin-stabilized spacecraft for the storage and discharge of propellant liquid in a space environment having a gravity vector due to the spinning of the spacecraft, said tank comprising: a closed spherical tank shell having a center point and enclosing an unobstructed spherical tank interior volume for the containment of propellant liquid, said tank having an axis through the center of said tank and in line with the local gravity vector caused by the spinning of the spacecraft, the improvement comprising: said closed spherical tank of unobstructed interior having an outlet comprising an opening in said closed spherical shell and an outlet tube connected to said opening and extending out of said opening and not into said shell to provide a completely open unobstructed interior in said shell, said outlet tube being for discharging propellant liquid from said closed spherical shell of said tank; said outlet being between 1°and 15°angularly away from said spherical tank center line axis in line with the local gravity vector caused by spinning of the spacecraft to inhibit vortexing in propellant liquid being discharged from said spherical tank out of said outlet.