Catalyst bed

Details Catalyst bed Catalyst bed

2001-06-29

2003-11-25

Freay, Charles G. (Department: 3746)

Pumps

Motor driven

Fluid motor

C422S179000, C060S214000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06652248

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a catalyst bed assembly. More particularly, this invention relates to a catalyst bed assembly used in a rocket propulsion system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1
is a schematic of a rocket propulsion system
100
. The system
100
includes a rocket engine
101
. A fuel pump
103
supplies fuel to the rocket engine
101
from a fuel supply
105
. Likewise, an oxidizer pump
107
supplies oxidizer to the rocket engine from an oxidizer supply
109
. The rocket engine
101
combines the fuel and oxidizer, and ignites the mixture in a combustion chamber (not shown). The exhaust
111
exits a nozzle (not shown) to produce thrust.
To provide the amount of fuel and oxidizer required by the rocket engine
101
, pumps
103
,
107
are preferably turbopumps.
FIG. 2
is a schematic of a turbopump assembly
107
. Generally speaking, the turbopump assembly
107
includes a turbine
113
connected to an impeller
115
by a shaft
117
. The turbine
113
converts the kinetic energy from an exhaust stream
119
into shaft horsepower to drive the impeller
115
. The impeller
115
transports the oxidizer from the supply
109
to the rocket engine
101
. Turbopump
103
for the fuel operates in a similar manner, and is not described in further detail.
In a rocket propulsion system using kerosene as the fuel and hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizer, the exhaust stream
119
that is used to drive the turbopump
107
can be created by a catalyst bed assembly which converts the hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water vapor. The conversion of hydrogen peroxide also generates heat. In previous propulsion systems, which used less pure (e.g. a lower wt-%) hydrogen peroxide, the management of the heat produced by such conversion was not a major concern.
Future rocket propulsion systems, however, plan to use higher purity (e.g. greater wt-%) hydrogen peroxide. As the concentration of hydrogen peroxide increases, the heat generated during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water vapor and oxygen also increases. As an example, conversion of concentrate (98 wt-%) hydrogen peroxide can generate temperatures of approximately 2192° R. Clearly, thermal management of this increased heat becomes a concern. The catalyst bed assemblies used in these systems must be designed to withstand the increased heat.
However, the techniques used to manage the increased heat in the catalyst bed assembly should not significantly affect other aspects of the system. For example, the catalyst bed assembly design should keep weight to a minimum. Preferably, the catalyst bed assembly should be designed without a need for cooling lines. The catalyst bed design should also avoid complexity.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved catalyst bed assembly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a catalyst bed assembly capable of managing higher temperatures.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a relatively lightweight catalyst bed assembly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a relatively non-complex catalyst bed assembly.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in one aspect by a catalyst bed assembly. The catalyst bed assembly includes: an outer housing having an open interior, an inlet leading to the open interior, and an outlet from the open interior; a catalyst bed in the open interior; and a gap between the outer housing and the catalyst bed. The open interior receives a material from the inlet. A portion of the material enters the catalyst bed to expose the material to a catalyst so that the material and the catalyst react and create heat within the catalyst bed assembly. A remainder of the material enters the gap between the outer housing and the catalyst bed to cool the catalyst bed assembly.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect by a turbopump assembly. The turbopump assembly includes a catalyst bed assembly, a nozzle, a turbine and a pump. The catalyst bed assembly includes: an outer housing having an open interior, an inlet leading to the open interior, and an outlet from the open interior; a catalyst bed in the open interior of the container; and a gap between the outer housing and the catalyst bed. The nozzle is located downstream of the outlet. The turbine is located downstream of the nozzle. The turbine drives the pump. The open interior receives a material from the inlet. A portion of the material can enter the catalyst bed to expose the material to a catalyst so that the material and the catalyst react and create heat within the catalyst bed assembly. A remainder of the material can enter the gap between the outer housing and the catalyst bed to cool the catalyst bed assembly.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect by a method of cooling a catalyst bed assembly. The method includes the steps of: providing a gap between an outer housing and a catalyst bed; and introducing material into the gap between the outer housing and the catalyst bed to cool the catalyst bed assembly.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3488962 (1970-01-01), McCormick
patent: 3570249 (1971-03-01), Baum et al.
patent: 3692497 (1972-09-01), Keith et al.
patent: 4004413 (1977-01-01), Ueno et al.
patent: 4065918 (1978-01-01), Rifkin
patent: 4731989 (1988-03-01), Furuya et al.
patent: 5346417 (1994-09-01), Isogawa
patent: 5573736 (1996-11-01), Jubin, Jr.
patent: 5711146 (1998-01-01), Armstrong et al.
patent: 6000212 (1999-12-01), Kolaczkowski et al.
patent: H1948 (2001-03-01), Rusek et al.
patent: WO 01/07772 (2001-01-01), None
patent: WO 01/07773 (2001-01-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Catalyst bed does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Catalyst bed, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Catalyst bed will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3140694