초록 ▼

The present invention relates to an improved rocket stage and a method of improving an existing rocket stage. In an embodiment, the improved rocket stage is where one can take existing rocket stages and re-propellant them. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of improving an exis

The present invention relates to an improved rocket stage and a method of improving an existing rocket stage. In an embodiment, the improved rocket stage is where one can take existing rocket stages and re-propellant them. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method of improving an existing rocket stage.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An improved rocket stage comprising: a rocket stage designed for a liquid fuel and a liquid oxidizer,wherein said rocket stage comprises:a fuel tank originally designed for storing the liquid fuel;an oxidizer tank originally designed for storing the liquid oxidizer,wherein said oxidizer tank is s

1. An improved rocket stage comprising: a rocket stage designed for a liquid fuel and a liquid oxidizer,wherein said rocket stage comprises:a fuel tank originally designed for storing the liquid fuel;an oxidizer tank originally designed for storing the liquid oxidizer,wherein said oxidizer tank is smaller volumetrically than said fuel tank;a rocket engine in operative communication with said fuel tank and said oxidizer tank;at least one fuel sensor compatible with the liquid fuel, wherein said fuel sensor is positioned inside of said oxidizer tank; andat least one oxidizer sensor compatible with the liquid oxidizer, wherein said oxidizer sensor is positioned inside of said said fuel tank,wherein said fuel tank is filled with liquid oxidizer for use by said rocket engine,wherein said oxidizer tank is filled with a partial load or a full load of liquid fuel for use by said rocket engine, andwherein said fuel tank is filled with additional liquid oxidizer to deliver to a destination in space including at least one of: a propellant depot, another space vehicle, or a capsule/space station. 2. The improved rocket stage according to claim 1, wherein said liquid fuel is liquid hydrogen or liquid hydrocarbon fuel, wherein said liquid oxidizer is liquid oxygen wherein said fuel tank is a liquid hydrogen tank or a liquid hydrocarbon fuel tank, wherein said oxidizer tank is a liquid oxygen tank, wherein said at least one fuel sensor is at least one liquid hydrogen sensor or liquid hydrocarbon fuel sensor, and wherein said at least one oxidizer sensor is at least one liquid oxygen sensor. 3. The improved rocket stage according to claim 2, further comprising at least one secondary system item selected from the group consisting of valves, ports, plumbing, controls, and any combination thereof. 4. The improved rocket stage according to claim 2, further comprising at least one device selected from the group consisting of a secondary fluid storage tank and a docking adapter. 5. The improved rocket stage according to claim 2, wherein said liquid oxidizer tank contains a full load of liquid hydrogen fuel or liquid hydrocarbon fuel. 6. A method of improving a rocket stage, comprising the steps of: providing a rocket stage designed for a liquid fuel and a liquid oxidizer;providing a fuel tank originally designed for storing the liquid fuel;providing an oxidizer tank originally designed for storing the liquid oxidizer,wherein said oxidizer tank is smaller volumetrically than said fuel tank;providing a rocket engine in operative communication with said fuel tank and said oxidizer tank;providing at least one fuel sensor compatible with the liquid fuel;re-positioning said at least one fuel sensor from inside of said fuel tank to inside of said oxidizer tank;providing at least one oxidizer sensor compatible with the liquid oxidizer;re-positioning said at least one oxidizer sensor from inside of said oxidizer tank to inside of said fuel tank;modifying said fuel tank to store a partial load or a full load of liquid oxidizer for use by said rocket engine; andmodifying said oxidizer tank to store a partial load or a full load of liquid fuel for use by said rocket engine. 7. The method of improving a rocket stage according to claim 6, wherein said liquid fuel is liquid hydrogen or liquid hydrocarbon fuel, wherein said liquid oxidizer is liquid oxygen, wherein said fuel tank is a liquid hydrogen tank or a liquid hydrocarbon fuel tank, wherein said oxidizer tank is a liquid oxygen tank, wherein said at least one fuel sensor is at least one liquid hydrogen sensor or liquid hydrocarbon fuel sensor, and wherein said at least one oxidizer sensor is at least one liquid oxygen sensor. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said rocket stage has the ability to deliver liquid oxygen to a destination in space. 9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of loading liquid oxygen into said liquid hydrogen tank or said liquid hydrocarbon fuel tank. 10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing at least one secondary system item selected from the group consisting of valves, ports, plumbing, controls, and any combination thereof. 11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing at least one device selected from the group consisting of a secondary fluid storage tank and a docking adapter. 12. The method according to claim 7, wherein said liquid oxidizer tank contains a full load of liquid hydrogen fuel or liquid hydrocarbon fuel. 13. The method according to claim 7, wherein said rocket stage has improved velocity in comparison to a stage not having said method performed. 14. The method according to claim 6, wherein an auxiliary fuel tank is added and connected to improve storage capacity of said rocket stage and is connected to said rocket engine to provide additional capability. 15. A method of improving a rocket stage comprising: providing a rocket stage designed for a liquid fuel and a liquid oxidizer;providing a fuel tank originally designed for storing the liquid fuel;providing an oxidizer tank originally designed for storing the liquid oxidizer,wherein said oxidizer tank is smaller volumetrically than said fuel tank;providing a rocket engine in operative communication with said fuel tank and said oxidizer tank;converting said oxidizer tank to store liquid fuel; andconverting said fuel tank to store liquid oxidizer. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said liquid fuel is liquid hydrogen or liquid hydrocarbon fuel, wherein said liquid oxidizer is liquid oxygen, wherein said fuel tank is a liquid hydrogen tank or a liquid hydrocarbon fuel tank, wherein said oxidizer tank is a liquid oxygen tank, andfurther comprising providing at least one fuel sensor as a liquid hydrogen sensor or liquid hydrocarbon fuel sensor, and providing at least one oxidizer sensor as a liquid oxygen sensor. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said rocket stage has the ability to deliver liquid oxygen to a destination in space. 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein liquid oxygen is loaded into said liquid hydrogen tank or said liquid hydrocarbon fuel tank. 19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising providing at least one secondary system item selected from the group consisting of valves, ports, plumbing, controls, and any combination thereof. 20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising providing at least one device selected from the group consisting of a secondary fluid storage tank and a docking adapter. 21. The method according to claim 16, wherein said liquid oxygen tank is filled with a full load of liquid hydrogen fuel or liquid hydrocarbon fuel. 22. The method according to claim 16, wherein said rocket stage has improved velocity in comparison to a stage not having said method performed. 23. The method according to claim 15, wherein an auxiliary fuel tank is added and connected to improve storage capacity of said rocket stage and is connected to said rocket engine to provide additional capability. 24. The method according to claim 15, further comprising providing at least one fuel sensor, and providing at least one oxidizer sensor.