Launch vehicle rocket having two concentric propellant tanks, the inner tank 405 is arranged concentrically within but separated from and surrounded by the outer tank 407. The outer tank may be annular. The inner and outer tanks may be integrated, having a common separation wall 423. The tanks may share common end caps 425, 427, which may be one-piece or two-piece. Lower end cap 427 may have outlet valves 431, 433 at the lowest point. End caps may connect to the side walls 421, 423 via flanges or welds. The outer wall 421 may be load bearing, the internal fluid pressure may reduce effect of axial load. Inner tank may contain propellant fuel, outer tank may contain oxidiser. A third intermediate annular tank may be between the outer and inner tanks, for containing third propellant component or fire-retardant extinguisher.
Propellant tank arrangement for a launch vehicle
2024-07-24
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Simulation of Propellant Explosions Resulting from Crew Launch Vehicle Tank Failure
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2008
|