Airborne gas storage and supply system

• Main Authors: Beck, Philip, Kutter, Bernard, Zegler, Frank
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.12.2003

The invention described herein relates to an airborne gas storage system and method, and more specifically to a system and method for storing a greater amount of a pressurized gas on board a launch vehicle, and providing access to a greater portion of said gas. A system and method provide for storage and supply of a pressurized gas aboard a launch vehicle such as a rocket-powered craft. Certain rocket powered vehicles, require that one or more propellant tanks be pressurized for a continuous supply of propellant to the rocket engines and to maintain tank structural integrity. According to the system described herein, certain heating elements may be employed for controlling the pressure in a gas supply bottle during the outflow of gas from the bottle so as to provide a continuous supply of pressurized gas and to make available of a large percentage of the gas stored in the bottle. Further, the system described herein provides for the storage of helium under densities above that of liquid helium and through use of a heat source, such as rocket engine supplied hot gas, provides a supply of gas such that it can be used for tank pressurization. The system utilizes unusual properties of helium under extremely low temperature and high pressure conditions to disperse the requisite heat within the bottle using only free convective effects.