Adaptable system for storing liquid under pressure and spacecraft propellant storage applications thereof

摘要

A system for storing liquid under pressure is adapted to contain any of various quantities of liquid determined in advance with approximately the same filling ratio in an environment in which the temperature varies. It comprises a main storage tank adapted to contain at least the largest of these quantities of liquid in such a way as to leave a residual volume of pressurized gas and a reserve gas storage capacity mechanically independent of the main storage tank and in permanent communication with the residual volume of pressurized gas via a liquid non-return device. The reserve capacity is chosen so that the quantity of liquid actually introduced into the system divided by the sum of the volumes of the main storage tank and reserve capacity is at least approximately equal to the filling ratio.