A PROPULSION ASSEMBLY AND A METHOD OF FEEDING PROPELLANTS

摘要

The invention relates to the field of rocket engines, and more particularly to a propulsion assembly (10) comprising a first tank (11) for a first liquid propellant, a second tank (12) for a second liquid propellant, a pressurizer device (60) configured to maintain a substantially higher pressure in the second tank (12) than in the first tank (11), and a single-shaft turbopump (30) comprising a turbine (33), a first pump (31), and a second pump (32). The turbine (33) is actuated by expansion of the first propellant after it has passed through a regenerative heat exchanger (44), and in turn it acts via the single rotary shaft (34) of the turbopump (30) to drive said first and second pumps (31, 32) respectively pumping said first and second propellants in order to feed a propulsion chamber (40).

主权项

1. A propulsion assembly comprising at least:
a first tank suitable for containing a first liquid propellant; a second tank suitable for containing a second liquid propellant; a pressurizer device configured to maintain a substantially higher pressure in the second tank than in the first tank; a propulsion chamber suitable for generating thrust by combustion and expansion of a mixture of said propellants; a first feed circuit connecting the first tank to the propulsion chamber in order to feed the propulsion chamber with the first propellant, and including a regenerative heat exchanger arranged to heat said first propellant with heat coming from the propulsion chamber; a second feed circuit connecting the second tank to the propulsion chamber in order to feed the propulsion chamber with the second propellant; and a single-shaft turbopump comprising a turbine, a first pump, and a second pump, said first pump and said second pump being mechanically connected to said turbine for actuation by a single rotary shaft, said first pump having the first feed circuit pass therethrough upstream from said regenerative heat exchanger, said second pump having the second feed circuit pass therethrough, and said turbine having the first feed circuit pass therethrough downstream from said regenerative heat exchanger.