Methods and systems for flux distribution within a heat exchanger

摘要

A method to enhance efficiency of a propellant heat exchanger is described. The method includes spacing a plurality of propellant tubes of the propellant heat exchanger within defined flux bins, the flux bins defined as a function of total beam energy to be received by the propellant tubes, the propellant tube spacing resulting in each defined flux bin operable to receive a substantially equal amount of beam energy, and configuring each flux bin such that any beam energy that impinges the flux bin is directed to the propellant tube therein.

主权项

1. A method to enhance efficiency of a propellant heat exchanger, said method comprising:
positioning a plurality of propellant tubes along a beam receiving surface of the propellant heat exchanger, wherein the plurality of propellant tubes are oriented such that a spacing between adjacent tubes of the propellant tubes varies along the beam receiving surface such that each propellant tube receives approximately the same amount of beam energy, wherein the plurality of propellant tubes are configured to channel a propellant therethrough to facilitate heating the propellant, with the beam energy, to produce a hot propellant exhaust in an engine nozzle; and coupling a mechanism to at least one of each of the propellant tubes and to the beam receiving surface, wherein the mechanism is operable to transfer beam enemy into the at least one of each of the propellant tubes.