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A propellant acquisition device for a maneuvering engine in a satellite vehicle in which a propellant tank or container is provided with a propellant trap located internally of the tank adjacent a tank outlet to the maneuvering engine. The trap device is positioned to receive propellant and become r

A propellant acquisition device for a maneuvering engine in a satellite vehicle in which a propellant tank or container is provided with a propellant trap located internally of the tank adjacent a tank outlet to the maneuvering engine. The trap device is positioned to receive propellant and become refilled upon maneuvering engine use which causes propellant in the tank to migrate to the trap device and overcome the on-orbit drag on the propellant which causes it to migrate away from the trap device.

대표청구항 ▼

A propellant supply container having an outlet to which is connected a propellant acquisition device adapted for supplying a maneuvering thrust engine of a space vehicle with propellant from the supply container, said acquisition device being located in the container in the region of the outlet but

A propellant supply container having an outlet to which is connected a propellant acquisition device adapted for supplying a maneuvering thrust engine of a space vehicle with propellant from the supply container, said acquisition device being located in the container in the region of the outlet but not eleswhere and comprising: (a) a propellant trap device mounted in the container adjacent the outlet and having liquid permeable surfaces enclosing an internal space separate from the supply container, with the surfaces being capable of passing the liquid propellant and retaining the liquid propellant in the internal space, all for collecting the propellant in the internal space, the permeable surfaces including a first end surface at one end of the internal space, a second end surface spaced from the first end surface and being at the other end of the internal space, and a peripheral surface extended generally between the end surfaces and generally around the internal space; (b) a liquid propellant outlet opening located outwardly from the internal space at the second end surface of said trap device and connected to the supply container outlet; (c) propellant vapor escape means opening from the internal space at the first end surface of said trap device and into the supply container in a direction away from said outlet opening; and (d) liquid propellant flow channels extending about said internal space of said trap device at spaced intervals, with each channel having a portion along the first end surface, another portion along the peripheral surface and still another along the second end surface, the three portions for each channel being in communication with each other and further being in communication with such internal space through a liquid permeable surface that is likewise capable of passing the liquid propellant, said portions of the flow channels that are located along the second end surface having ends opening toward and into said outlet opening for directing liquid propellant substantially directly into said outlet opening.