Patent ID: 11939938
Assignee: BLUE ORIGIN, LLC
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 0:
1. A method for equalizing fluid levels of a propellant tank that stores a liquid propellant for a rocket engine of a rocket, the propellant tank having a vent line with a vent valve and an equalization valve, the method comprising:
after filling the propellant tank with the liquid propellant to a level above a height of the equalization valve within the propellant tank before launch of the rocket:
using one or more controllers to:
determine the level of the liquid propellant relative the height of the equalization valve within the propellant tank after the launch of the rocket;
in response to the level of the liquid propellant falling below the level of the equalization valve, open and close the vent valve to re-duce pressure of the propellant tank; and
in response to the level of the liquid propellant falling below the equalization valve during or after the launch of the rocket, close the equalization valve.