초록 ▼

The fuel tank as disclosed is provided particularly for storage of aggressive fuel as they are used for and in control jets, attitude positioning systems in satellite and space vehicles. The fuel tank is of a spherical configuration and partitioned by a conical insert to obtain two spaces of differe

The fuel tank as disclosed is provided particularly for storage of aggressive fuel as they are used for and in control jets, attitude positioning systems in satellite and space vehicles. The fuel tank is of a spherical configuration and partitioned by a conical insert to obtain two spaces of different volumes. The small end of the cone faces the fuel outlet, opposite the driving gas inlet, and is constructed as a narrow mesh sieve. The fuel outlet is surrounded by a collection chamber likewise closed off by a narrow mesh sieve. The smaller one of the two chambers includes fuel lines which end in the corner space where the conical partition is affixed to the spherical tank and are closed likewise by sieves. The invention uses the strong surface tension forces of the fuel wetting the mesh to create a barrier against the passage of driving gas into the fuel line and outlet of the tank.

대표청구항 ▼

Fuel tank for use in a satellite space vehicle or the like, i.e., for operation under low or zero gravity conditions and having a main vessel with a driving gas inlet and an opposite disposed fuel outlet, the improvement comprising: a frusto-conical insert partitioning the vessel into a larger chamb

Fuel tank for use in a satellite space vehicle or the like, i.e., for operation under low or zero gravity conditions and having a main vessel with a driving gas inlet and an opposite disposed fuel outlet, the improvement comprising: a frusto-conical insert partitioning the vessel into a larger chamber directly communicating with the drive gas inlet and a smaller chamber communicating with the fuel outlet; the frusto-conical partition having a small end portion constructed as a narrow, close mesh sieve, being situated close to said fuel outlet, said chambers communicating through said sieve so that fuel from the large chamber under pressure from a driving gas can be forced through the sieve into the smaller chamber for subsequent discharge through the fuel outlet; a cylindrical collection chamber in said tank surrounding said fuel outlet and including also a narrow close mesh sieve close to said sieve of said partition; and at least one internal fuel line in said smaller chamber and connected to said collection chamber and extending with its free end towards an area in between the wide portion of the conical insert and said vessel proper.